Chiron Advances Hepatitis C Vaccine Development Program

[Guest guest]

Chiron Advances Hepatitis C Vaccine Development Program

Chiron Vaccines and CSL Sign New Collaboration Agreement

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiron Corporation

(Nasdaq: CHIR) today announced a new collaboration agreement with CSL

Limited, an Australian-based pharmaceutical company, to develop a

therapeutic hepatitis C vaccine. Under the terms of the joint development

agreement, Chiron will provide its novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens,

and CSL will contribute its proprietary ISCOMATRIX® adjuvant technology.

" While there remains much development work ahead, the Phase I clinical

trial, completed in collaboration with CSL, showed that our vaccine has a

good safety profile and generates the type of immune responses required for

a potential treatment for HCV, " said Lambert, president, Chiron

Vaccines. " In the next year, we will build on this foundation, and indeed

the foundation Chiron scientists laid with the identification of the

hepatitis C virus in 1987, by testing the vaccine in chronically infected

patients. "

" This new agreement further validates CSL's proprietary ISCOMATRIX®

adjuvant technology, and we are proud to use it to collaborate closely with

our colleagues at Chiron Vaccines on developing a potential product for

treating hepatitis C, " said McNamee, CEO of CSL Limited. " Hepatitis C

infection remains a major health issue, and there is a clear need for

improved therapy. "

In 1987, Chiron scientists Houghton, Ph.D.; Qui-Lim Choo, Ph.D.; and

Kuo, Ph.D., cloned and first identified HCV as the cause of

transfusion-related non-A, non-B hepatitis. This breakthrough marked the

first time a virus was cloned before it had been grown in tissue culture or

otherwise isolated. The Chiron scientists received the prestigious Lasker

Award in recognition of this discovery. Since the initial work, Chiron has

been granted more than 100 HCV-related patents in over 20 countries,

including patents directed to hepatitis C polypeptides encoded throughout

the genomes of HCV. Such polypeptides can be used in a variety of medical

applications, including blood screening, clinical diagnosis, vaccines and as

therapeutic targets for drug screening. A number of therapeutic companies

have been granted nonexclusive licenses to Chiron's HCV technology for drug

screening purposes, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoKline, Japan

Tobacco Inc. and Pfizer.

About Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted via blood or body fluids.

Approximately 4 million Americans have been infected with HCV, of whom 2.7

million are chronically infected. Seventy percent of those chronically

infected develop chronic liver disease, making HCV infection the leading

indication for liver transplantation. Treatment consists of interferon alone

or in combination with ribavirin, with combination therapy ridding the virus

in 50-80 percent of cases, depending on the virus genotype. No vaccine

exists to prevent HCV.

About Chiron Vaccines

Chiron Vaccines, the world's fifth-largest vaccines business, is

headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and has facilities located

throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Chiron Vaccines is the

world's second-largest manufacturer of flu vaccines and has important

meningitis, pediatric and travel vaccine franchises. Chiron Vaccines is the

leading vaccine manufacturer in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. The

company's portfolio of products includes vaccines for influenza, meningitis

C, yellow fever, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, haemophilus influenzae B

(Hib), polio, mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus and

pertussis (whooping cough).

About Chiron

Chiron Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a global

pharmaceutical company that leverages a diverse business model to develop

and commercialize high-value products that make a difference in people's

lives. The company has a strategic focus on cancer and infectious disease.

Chiron applies its advanced understanding of the biology of cancer and

infectious disease to develop products from its platforms in proteins, small

molecules and vaccines. The company commercializes its products through

three business units: BioPharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Blood Testing. For

more information about Chiron, visit the company's website at

www.chiron.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements

regarding sales growth, product development initiatives, new product

indications, new product marketing, and in- and out-licensing activities,

that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. A full

discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including

factors that may affect its business and future prospects, is contained in

documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the form 10-Q for

the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and the form 10-K for the year ended

December 31, 2002, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings

made with the SEC. These documents identify important factors that could

cause the company's actual performance to differ from current expectations,

including the outcome of clinical trials, regulatory review and approvals,

manufacturing capabilities, intellectual property protections and defenses,

stock-price and interest-rate volatility, and marketing effectiveness. In

particular, there can be no assurance that Chiron will increase sales of

existing products, successfully develop and receive approval to market new

products, or achieve market acceptance for such new products. There can be

no assurance that Chiron's out-licensing activities will generate

significant revenue, nor that its in-licensing activities will fully protect

it from claims of infringement by third parties. In addition, the company

may engage in business opportunities, the successful completion of which are

subject to certain risks, including shareholder and regulatory approvals and

the integration of operations.

Consistent with SEC Regulation FD, we do not undertake an obligation to

update the forward-looking information we are giving today.

NOTE: ISCOMATRIX is a trademark of CSL Limited.

SOURCE Chiron Corporation

http://www.chiron.com/investors/pressreleases/press_release011404.html

[Guest guest]

Chiron Advances Hepatitis C Vaccine Development Program

Chiron Vaccines and CSL Sign New Collaboration Agreement

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiron Corporation

(Nasdaq: CHIR) today announced a new collaboration agreement with CSL

Limited, an Australian-based pharmaceutical company, to develop a

therapeutic hepatitis C vaccine. Under the terms of the joint development

agreement, Chiron will provide its novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens,

and CSL will contribute its proprietary ISCOMATRIX® adjuvant technology.

" While there remains much development work ahead, the Phase I clinical

trial, completed in collaboration with CSL, showed that our vaccine has a

good safety profile and generates the type of immune responses required for

a potential treatment for HCV, " said Lambert, president, Chiron

Vaccines. " In the next year, we will build on this foundation, and indeed

the foundation Chiron scientists laid with the identification of the

hepatitis C virus in 1987, by testing the vaccine in chronically infected

patients. "

" This new agreement further validates CSL's proprietary ISCOMATRIX®

adjuvant technology, and we are proud to use it to collaborate closely with

our colleagues at Chiron Vaccines on developing a potential product for

treating hepatitis C, " said McNamee, CEO of CSL Limited. " Hepatitis C

infection remains a major health issue, and there is a clear need for

improved therapy. "

In 1987, Chiron scientists Houghton, Ph.D.; Qui-Lim Choo, Ph.D.; and

Kuo, Ph.D., cloned and first identified HCV as the cause of

transfusion-related non-A, non-B hepatitis. This breakthrough marked the

first time a virus was cloned before it had been grown in tissue culture or

otherwise isolated. The Chiron scientists received the prestigious Lasker

Award in recognition of this discovery. Since the initial work, Chiron has

been granted more than 100 HCV-related patents in over 20 countries,

including patents directed to hepatitis C polypeptides encoded throughout

the genomes of HCV. Such polypeptides can be used in a variety of medical

applications, including blood screening, clinical diagnosis, vaccines and as

therapeutic targets for drug screening. A number of therapeutic companies

have been granted nonexclusive licenses to Chiron's HCV technology for drug

screening purposes, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoKline, Japan

Tobacco Inc. and Pfizer.

About Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted via blood or body fluids.

Approximately 4 million Americans have been infected with HCV, of whom 2.7

million are chronically infected. Seventy percent of those chronically

infected develop chronic liver disease, making HCV infection the leading

indication for liver transplantation. Treatment consists of interferon alone

or in combination with ribavirin, with combination therapy ridding the virus

in 50-80 percent of cases, depending on the virus genotype. No vaccine

exists to prevent HCV.

About Chiron Vaccines

Chiron Vaccines, the world's fifth-largest vaccines business, is

headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and has facilities located

throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Chiron Vaccines is the

world's second-largest manufacturer of flu vaccines and has important

meningitis, pediatric and travel vaccine franchises. Chiron Vaccines is the

leading vaccine manufacturer in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. The

company's portfolio of products includes vaccines for influenza, meningitis

C, yellow fever, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, haemophilus influenzae B

(Hib), polio, mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus and

pertussis (whooping cough).

About Chiron

Chiron Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a global

pharmaceutical company that leverages a diverse business model to develop

and commercialize high-value products that make a difference in people's

lives. The company has a strategic focus on cancer and infectious disease.

Chiron applies its advanced understanding of the biology of cancer and

infectious disease to develop products from its platforms in proteins, small

molecules and vaccines. The company commercializes its products through

three business units: BioPharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Blood Testing. For

more information about Chiron, visit the company's website at

www.chiron.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements

regarding sales growth, product development initiatives, new product

indications, new product marketing, and in- and out-licensing activities,

that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. A full

discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including

factors that may affect its business and future prospects, is contained in

documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the form 10-Q for

the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and the form 10-K for the year ended

December 31, 2002, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings

made with the SEC. These documents identify important factors that could

cause the company's actual performance to differ from current expectations,

including the outcome of clinical trials, regulatory review and approvals,

manufacturing capabilities, intellectual property protections and defenses,

stock-price and interest-rate volatility, and marketing effectiveness. In

particular, there can be no assurance that Chiron will increase sales of

existing products, successfully develop and receive approval to market new

products, or achieve market acceptance for such new products. There can be

no assurance that Chiron's out-licensing activities will generate

significant revenue, nor that its in-licensing activities will fully protect

it from claims of infringement by third parties. In addition, the company

may engage in business opportunities, the successful completion of which are

subject to certain risks, including shareholder and regulatory approvals and

the integration of operations.

Consistent with SEC Regulation FD, we do not undertake an obligation to

update the forward-looking information we are giving today.

NOTE: ISCOMATRIX is a trademark of CSL Limited.

SOURCE Chiron Corporation

http://www.chiron.com/investors/pressreleases/press_release011404.html

[Guest guest]

Chiron Advances Hepatitis C Vaccine Development Program

Chiron Vaccines and CSL Sign New Collaboration Agreement

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiron Corporation

(Nasdaq: CHIR) today announced a new collaboration agreement with CSL

Limited, an Australian-based pharmaceutical company, to develop a

therapeutic hepatitis C vaccine. Under the terms of the joint development

agreement, Chiron will provide its novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens,

and CSL will contribute its proprietary ISCOMATRIX® adjuvant technology.

" While there remains much development work ahead, the Phase I clinical

trial, completed in collaboration with CSL, showed that our vaccine has a

good safety profile and generates the type of immune responses required for

a potential treatment for HCV, " said Lambert, president, Chiron

Vaccines. " In the next year, we will build on this foundation, and indeed

the foundation Chiron scientists laid with the identification of the

hepatitis C virus in 1987, by testing the vaccine in chronically infected

patients. "

" This new agreement further validates CSL's proprietary ISCOMATRIX®

adjuvant technology, and we are proud to use it to collaborate closely with

our colleagues at Chiron Vaccines on developing a potential product for

treating hepatitis C, " said McNamee, CEO of CSL Limited. " Hepatitis C

infection remains a major health issue, and there is a clear need for

improved therapy. "

In 1987, Chiron scientists Houghton, Ph.D.; Qui-Lim Choo, Ph.D.; and

Kuo, Ph.D., cloned and first identified HCV as the cause of

transfusion-related non-A, non-B hepatitis. This breakthrough marked the

first time a virus was cloned before it had been grown in tissue culture or

otherwise isolated. The Chiron scientists received the prestigious Lasker

Award in recognition of this discovery. Since the initial work, Chiron has

been granted more than 100 HCV-related patents in over 20 countries,

including patents directed to hepatitis C polypeptides encoded throughout

the genomes of HCV. Such polypeptides can be used in a variety of medical

applications, including blood screening, clinical diagnosis, vaccines and as

therapeutic targets for drug screening. A number of therapeutic companies

have been granted nonexclusive licenses to Chiron's HCV technology for drug

screening purposes, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoKline, Japan

Tobacco Inc. and Pfizer.

About Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted via blood or body fluids.

Approximately 4 million Americans have been infected with HCV, of whom 2.7

million are chronically infected. Seventy percent of those chronically

infected develop chronic liver disease, making HCV infection the leading

indication for liver transplantation. Treatment consists of interferon alone

or in combination with ribavirin, with combination therapy ridding the virus

in 50-80 percent of cases, depending on the virus genotype. No vaccine

exists to prevent HCV.

About Chiron Vaccines

Chiron Vaccines, the world's fifth-largest vaccines business, is

headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and has facilities located

throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Chiron Vaccines is the

world's second-largest manufacturer of flu vaccines and has important

meningitis, pediatric and travel vaccine franchises. Chiron Vaccines is the

leading vaccine manufacturer in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. The

company's portfolio of products includes vaccines for influenza, meningitis

C, yellow fever, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, haemophilus influenzae B

(Hib), polio, mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus and

pertussis (whooping cough).

About Chiron

Chiron Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a global

pharmaceutical company that leverages a diverse business model to develop

and commercialize high-value products that make a difference in people's

lives. The company has a strategic focus on cancer and infectious disease.

Chiron applies its advanced understanding of the biology of cancer and

infectious disease to develop products from its platforms in proteins, small

molecules and vaccines. The company commercializes its products through

three business units: BioPharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Blood Testing. For

more information about Chiron, visit the company's website at

www.chiron.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements

regarding sales growth, product development initiatives, new product

indications, new product marketing, and in- and out-licensing activities,

that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. A full

discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including

factors that may affect its business and future prospects, is contained in

documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the form 10-Q for

the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and the form 10-K for the year ended

December 31, 2002, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings

made with the SEC. These documents identify important factors that could

cause the company's actual performance to differ from current expectations,

including the outcome of clinical trials, regulatory review and approvals,

manufacturing capabilities, intellectual property protections and defenses,

stock-price and interest-rate volatility, and marketing effectiveness. In

particular, there can be no assurance that Chiron will increase sales of

existing products, successfully develop and receive approval to market new

products, or achieve market acceptance for such new products. There can be

no assurance that Chiron's out-licensing activities will generate

significant revenue, nor that its in-licensing activities will fully protect

it from claims of infringement by third parties. In addition, the company

may engage in business opportunities, the successful completion of which are

subject to certain risks, including shareholder and regulatory approvals and

the integration of operations.

Consistent with SEC Regulation FD, we do not undertake an obligation to

update the forward-looking information we are giving today.

NOTE: ISCOMATRIX is a trademark of CSL Limited.

SOURCE Chiron Corporation

http://www.chiron.com/investors/pressreleases/press_release011404.html

[Guest guest]

Chiron Advances Hepatitis C Vaccine Development Program

Chiron Vaccines and CSL Sign New Collaboration Agreement

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiron Corporation

(Nasdaq: CHIR) today announced a new collaboration agreement with CSL

Limited, an Australian-based pharmaceutical company, to develop a

therapeutic hepatitis C vaccine. Under the terms of the joint development

agreement, Chiron will provide its novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens,

and CSL will contribute its proprietary ISCOMATRIX® adjuvant technology.

" While there remains much development work ahead, the Phase I clinical

trial, completed in collaboration with CSL, showed that our vaccine has a

good safety profile and generates the type of immune responses required for

a potential treatment for HCV, " said Lambert, president, Chiron

Vaccines. " In the next year, we will build on this foundation, and indeed

the foundation Chiron scientists laid with the identification of the

hepatitis C virus in 1987, by testing the vaccine in chronically infected

patients. "

" This new agreement further validates CSL's proprietary ISCOMATRIX®

adjuvant technology, and we are proud to use it to collaborate closely with

our colleagues at Chiron Vaccines on developing a potential product for

treating hepatitis C, " said McNamee, CEO of CSL Limited. " Hepatitis C

infection remains a major health issue, and there is a clear need for

improved therapy. "

In 1987, Chiron scientists Houghton, Ph.D.; Qui-Lim Choo, Ph.D.; and

Kuo, Ph.D., cloned and first identified HCV as the cause of

transfusion-related non-A, non-B hepatitis. This breakthrough marked the

first time a virus was cloned before it had been grown in tissue culture or

otherwise isolated. The Chiron scientists received the prestigious Lasker

Award in recognition of this discovery. Since the initial work, Chiron has

been granted more than 100 HCV-related patents in over 20 countries,

including patents directed to hepatitis C polypeptides encoded throughout

the genomes of HCV. Such polypeptides can be used in a variety of medical

applications, including blood screening, clinical diagnosis, vaccines and as

therapeutic targets for drug screening. A number of therapeutic companies

have been granted nonexclusive licenses to Chiron's HCV technology for drug

screening purposes, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoKline, Japan

Tobacco Inc. and Pfizer.

About Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted via blood or body fluids.

Approximately 4 million Americans have been infected with HCV, of whom 2.7

million are chronically infected. Seventy percent of those chronically

infected develop chronic liver disease, making HCV infection the leading

indication for liver transplantation. Treatment consists of interferon alone

or in combination with ribavirin, with combination therapy ridding the virus

in 50-80 percent of cases, depending on the virus genotype. No vaccine

exists to prevent HCV.

About Chiron Vaccines

Chiron Vaccines, the world's fifth-largest vaccines business, is

headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, and has facilities located

throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Chiron Vaccines is the

world's second-largest manufacturer of flu vaccines and has important

meningitis, pediatric and travel vaccine franchises. Chiron Vaccines is the

leading vaccine manufacturer in the United Kingdom, Germany and Italy. The

company's portfolio of products includes vaccines for influenza, meningitis

C, yellow fever, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, haemophilus influenzae B

(Hib), polio, mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) and diphtheria, tetanus and

pertussis (whooping cough).

About Chiron

Chiron Corporation, headquartered in Emeryville, California, is a global

pharmaceutical company that leverages a diverse business model to develop

and commercialize high-value products that make a difference in people's

lives. The company has a strategic focus on cancer and infectious disease.

Chiron applies its advanced understanding of the biology of cancer and

infectious disease to develop products from its platforms in proteins, small

molecules and vaccines. The company commercializes its products through

three business units: BioPharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Blood Testing. For

more information about Chiron, visit the company's website at

www.chiron.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements

regarding sales growth, product development initiatives, new product

indications, new product marketing, and in- and out-licensing activities,

that involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change. A full

discussion of the company's operations and financial condition, including

factors that may affect its business and future prospects, is contained in

documents the company has filed with the SEC, including the form 10-Q for

the quarter ended September 30, 2003, and the form 10-K for the year ended

December 31, 2002, and will be contained in all subsequent periodic filings

made with the SEC. These documents identify important factors that could

cause the company's actual performance to differ from current expectations,

including the outcome of clinical trials, regulatory review and approvals,

manufacturing capabilities, intellectual property protections and defenses,

stock-price and interest-rate volatility, and marketing effectiveness. In

particular, there can be no assurance that Chiron will increase sales of

existing products, successfully develop and receive approval to market new

products, or achieve market acceptance for such new products. There can be

no assurance that Chiron's out-licensing activities will generate

significant revenue, nor that its in-licensing activities will fully protect

it from claims of infringement by third parties. In addition, the company

may engage in business opportunities, the successful completion of which are

subject to certain risks, including shareholder and regulatory approvals and

the integration of operations.

Consistent with SEC Regulation FD, we do not undertake an obligation to

update the forward-looking information we are giving today.

NOTE: ISCOMATRIX is a trademark of CSL Limited.

SOURCE Chiron Corporation

http://www.chiron.com/investors/pressreleases/press_release011404.html