INHIBITEX COMPLETES ENROLLMENT IN PHASE III TRIAL OF VERONATE

Inhibitex has completed enrollment in its 2,000-patient pivotal Phase III clinical trial of Veronate for the prevention of hospital-associated infections in premature, low-birth-weight infants. Enrollment in the trial, which began in May 2004, was completed in less than 18 months. The trial was conducted at 95 neonatal intensive care units in the U.S. and Canada.

Veronate is a novel, antibody-based investigational drug being developed to prevent hospital-associated infections in premature infants. The primary endpoint of the trial is to demonstrate efficacy in the prevention of hospital-associated infections due to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Secondary endpoints include a reduction in the frequency of hospital-associated infections due to Candida species (fungus) and Coagulase-negative staphylococci, and a reduction in the mortality rate among these infants.