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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 0-23155

TRIMERIS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

3500 PARAMOUNT PARKWAY

MORRISVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA 27560

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(919) 419-6050

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:

None

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:

Common Stock, $.001 par value (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x  Yes  ¨  No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    x  Yes  ¨  No

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, as of June 30, 2004 was approximately $259,050,000 (based on the last sale price of such stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market System on June 30, 2004).

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 3, 2005 was 21,806,535.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

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TRIMERIS, INC.

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004

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PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding Trimeris, Inc.’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. While we believe these statements are accurate, our business is dependent on many factors, some of which are discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Business” sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Many of these factors are beyond our control, and any of these and other factors could cause actual clinical and financial results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of our previous clinical trials are not necessarily indicative of the results of future clinical trials and our previous financial results are not necessarily indicative of our future financial results. Please read the “Risk Factors” section in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding these factors. We undertake no obligation to release publicly the results of any revisions to the statements contained in this report to reflect events or circumstances that occur subsequent to the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

We are a biopharmaceutical company primarily engaged in the discovery, development and commercialization of a new class of antiviral drug treatments called fusion inhibitors. Fusion inhibitors impair viral fusion, a complex process by which viruses attach to, penetrate and infect host cells. If a virus cannot enter a host cell, the virus cannot replicate. By inhibiting the fusion process of particular types of viruses, like the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), our first commercial product and our compounds under research offer a novel mechanism of action with the potential to treat a variety of medically important viral diseases.

In September 2004, Trimeris appointed Steven D. Skolsky as its Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors. Mr. Skolsky succeeds company founder Dr. Dani Bolognesi, who continues to serve as Chief Scientific Officer of the company and Vice-Chairman of the board of directors. Drawing on his general management experience and knowledge of HIV therapeutics, Mr. Skolsky is working with management to set a clear vision for the future of our Company.

We aspire to become a premier, fully integrated biotechnology company dedicated to innovating therapy for viral diseases. Our strategy is to create value for patients, caregivers, employees and shareholders by discovering, developing, and commercializing novel medicines that save and improve lives. Our strengths include a leadership position in HIV viral entry, world-class peptide drug development expertise and a proven collaborative partner.

Fuzeon is our first-generation HIV fusion inhibitor, developed in collaboration with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, or Roche. Fuzeon has been shown to inhibit HIV viral fusion with host cells by blocking the conformational rearrangement of an HIV protein called gp41. The FDA approved the use of Fuzeon in combination with other anti-HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing anti-HIV therapy. The FDA granted accelerated approval for the commercial sale of Fuzeon in 2003, and commercial sales of Fuzeon began in March that same year. Full approval was granted in October 2004. Roche also filed an application for European marketing approval of Fuzeon in September 2002 and was granted marketing approval under exceptional circumstances by the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products, in May 2003.

Roche is manufacturing Fuzeon drug substance in its Boulder, Colorado facility. Fuzeon finished drug product is produced using this drug substance at Roche’s manufacturing facility in Basel, Switzerland, and at another third party facility. Fuzeon is distributed and sold by Roche through Roche’s sales and distribution network throughout the world in countries where regulatory approval has been received.

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Commercial sales of Fuzeon began in the United States in March 2003. Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we share profits equally from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada. During 2004, net sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada were $85.7 million compared to $28.3 million in 2003. Net sales outside the United States and Canada were $49.5 million compared to $8.2 million in 2003. Unit sales of Fuzeon are expressed in kits shipped. A kit represents a one-month supply of Fuzeon for a patient. During 2004, Roche shipped approximately 58,900 kits to paying patients in the United States and Canada.

T-1249 is a second-generation HIV fusion inhibitor that has been investigated successfully in four separate clinical trials. Phase I/II trials of T-1249 demonstrated satisfactory efficacy and safety, including in patients who had previously failed on or had developed resistance to Fuzeon. In January 2004, Roche and Trimeris announced that further clinical development of T-1249 was being put on hold due to technical challenges in achieving a formulation capable of delivering a once daily injection. The compound’s safety, efficacy and tolerability were not factors affecting the decision. The clinical trial, T1249-105, was ongoing when the decision was made to put the development of T-1249 on hold. T1249-105 is now a compassionate use protocol for patients that were already receiving T-1249, as these patients have exhausted all treatment options. To date, 26 patients have completed 96 weeks of treatment with T-1249. T-1249 remains one of our next-generation drug candidates having established the proof-of-concept in overcoming Fuzeon resistant virus in the clinic. However, our focus will be to pursue formulations that will allow significantly less frequent dosing.

Our goal is to continue to strengthen and expand our fusion inhibitor franchise. In January 2004, we announced an extension of our research agreement with Roche to discover, develop and commercialize the next generation of HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors. The research agreement will focus on the discovery of new HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors with enhanced efficacy and resistance profiles along with the investigation of improved formulation and delivery technologies to enable less frequent and more convenient administration of peptide fusion inhibitors. Our objective is to develop an HIV gp41 fusion inhibitor that can be administered with significantly less frequent dosing. Although, the research agreement itself does not require that a specific amount be spent on any annual research plan, at their discretion, either party has the option to supplement the budgeted research plan at their own additional expense. We are still in discussions with Roche to define the research plan and budget for 2005.

We are also working with Roche to develop improvements in delivery, convenience and other enhancements to Fuzeon. We believe that any product enhancements made to Fuzeon could potentially be applied to other HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors as well. We have also established discovery programs outside the scope of our Roche collaboration, which are focused on the development of small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors that could be administered orally.

Commercial Products

Fuzeon

Fuzeon is our first marketed product for the treatment of HIV. The FDA has approved the use of Fuzeon in combination with other anti-HIV drugs for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing anti-HIV therapy. The standard approach to treating HIV infection has been to lower viral loads by using a combination of drugs. There are twenty FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of HIV.

Fuzeon Mechanism of Action

Fuzeon is a 36-amino acid synthetic peptide that binds to a key region of an HIV surface protein called gp41. Fuzeon blocks HIV viral fusion by interfering with certain structural rearrangements within gp41 that are required for HIV to fuse to and enter a host cell.

In the HIV infection process, the gp120 surface protein is stripped away from the virus after gp120 binds to host cell receptors. Two specific regions in the gp41 protein are thus freed and can bind to one another and cause the viral membrane to fuse with the host cell membrane. If Fuzeon is present in the bloodstream, it binds tightly to one of these regions within the gp41 protein and blocks the structural rearrangement necessary for the virus to fuse with the host cell. Since the virus cannot fuse with the host cell, it cannot penetrate and release its genetic material into the cell. HIV infection of the host cell is inhibited, and HIV replication within that cell is prevented.

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Commercial Results

Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, Trimeris and Roche share profits from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada equally. This amount is reported as collaboration profit (or loss), as a component of revenue, in the Statements of Operations. Collaboration profit/loss is calculated as follows: Total gross sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada is reduced by any discounts, returns or rebates resulting in total net sales. Net sales are reduced by costs of goods sold resulting in gross margin. Gross margin is reduced by selling, marketing and other expenses related to the sale of Fuzeon, resulting in operating income or loss. The Company’s 50% share of the operating income or loss is reported as collaboration income or loss. For the year ended December 31, 2004, net sales of Fuzeon in the United States and Canada totaled approximately $85.7 million compared to $28.3 million in 2003. During the year ended December 31, 2004, sales, marketing and other expenses exceeded the gross margin from the sale of Fuzeon resulting in the Company’s 50% share of operating loss from the sale of Fuzeon in the United States of $16.1 million. Unit sales of Fuzeon are expressed in kits shipped. A kit represents a one-month supply of Fuzeon for a patient. For the year ended December 31, 2004, Roche shipped approximately 58,900 kits to wholesalers compared to 19,400 kits in 2003. The number of kits shipped and the resulting sales levels may not remain constant and may increase or decrease in the future.

Roche previously had an exclusive distribution arrangement with Chronimed, Inc. (“Chronimed”) to distribute Fuzeon in the United States during 2003 and the first part of 2004. This exclusive arrangement terminated on April 26, 2004. Effective April 26, 2004, Fuzeon became available through retail and specialty pharmacies across the U.S. Prior to April 26, 2004, revenue from product sales had been recognized when title and risk of loss had passed to Chronimed, which was when Chronimed allocated drug for shipment to a patient. Beginning April 26, 2004, revenue is recognized when Roche ships drug and title and risk of loss passes to wholesalers.

Under our collaboration agreement with Roche, we receive a royalty based on net sales of Fuzeon, as recorded by Roche, outside the United States and Canada. For the year ended December 31, 2004, net sales of Fuzeon, as recorded by Roche, outside the United States and Canada were $49.5 million compared to $8.2 million in 2003. Fuzeon is commercially available in over thirty-five countries, including all the major countries in Europe.

Regulatory

In October 2004, the FDA granted full approval to Fuzeon. The FDA had previously granted accelerated approval to Fuzeon on the basis of 24-week data in March 2003. Accelerated approval is a special regulatory status designed to expedite the approval of therapies for serious or life-threatening illnesses, which provide meaningful benefit to patients over existing treatments. The traditional approval of Fuzeon was based on results from two Phase III clinical trials, called TORO-1 and TORO-2, over 48 weeks which confirmed the durable efficacy and safety of Fuzeon-based regimens.

In September 2002, Roche filed an application for European marketing approval. Roche received marketing approval under exceptional circumstances from the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, or EMEA, for use of Fuzeon in the European Union in May 2003. Roche submitted a full analysis of 48-week clinical data to the Committee for Human Medicinal Products, or CHMP, in December 2003 seeking a label change for Fuzeon. In April 2004, the CHMP recommended inclusion of the 48 week data in the label. This was followed by approval by the EMEA for this label change in June 2004. This approval allows Roche to market Fuzeon using the full 48 week safety and efficacy data. Outside the United States and the European Union, Roche has received approval and reimbursement for Fuzeon in over thirty-five countries, and is in the process of negotiating reimbursement from additional countries in which they plan to market Fuzeon.

Manufacturing

Roche manufactures the bulk drug substance of Fuzeon. Based on our progress and experience to date, we believe that Roche will be able to produce supply of Fuzeon sufficient to meet anticipated demand. If Fuzeon sales levels do not meet Roche’s and our expectations, the resulting production volumes may not allow Roche to achieve their anticipated economies of scale for Fuzeon. If Roche does not achieve these economies of scale, the costs of goods for Fuzeon could be higher than previous and current expectations.

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Treatment Guidelines

In October 2004, a panel of experts convened by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published updated anti-HIV drug treatment guidelines. For treatment-experienced patients with virologic failure, the panel recommended Fuzeon be added to an optimized background regimen and that inclusion of Fuzeon as part of new regimens can add significant antiretroviral activity.

In July 2004, International AIDS Society (IAS)—USA published anti-HIV drug guidelines that recommend Fuzeon for use in treatment-experienced HIV patients that require a change in therapy after the second, third, or fourth drug regimen failure. The guidelines caution that Fuzeon should not be delayed to a point when a patient’s outcome may be compromised by the inability to combine it with other active anti-HIV drugs. The guidelines further state that there is no evidence that Fuzeon should be discontinued once a patient achieves a viral load that is below the level of detection.

While these guideline publications provide guidance to clinicians on the recommended role and use of Fuzeon in clinical practice, physicians are not required to adhere to these recommendations. The actual use of Fuzeon may or may not be positively affected by these guidelines.

Optimizing Long-Term Response

In October 2004, we announced that in a retrospective, subset analysis of 48-week data from the TORO Phase III studies, almost twice as many treatment experienced patients (52%) who took Fuzeon with an active protease inhibitor (PI) regimen (including at least two other active anti-HIV drugs) achieved undetectable levels of HIV (less than 400 copies/ mL), compared to those receiving an active boosted PI regimen without Fuzeon (27%). Patients taking Fuzeon with an active boosted PI regimen also experienced a significantly greater immunological response, with a median increase of 104 CD4 cells / mm³ versus an increase of 57 CD4 cells / mm³ among patients receiving an active boosted PI regimen without Fuzeon.

Earlier Treatment with Fuzeon

Also in October 2004, Trimeris and Roche presented data showing that earlier use of Fuzeon in treatment-experienced HIV patients results in better treatment outcomes and preserves future drug options. A new analysis of the TORO studies highlighted the benefits of earlier use of Fuzeon, with regard to both virological outcomes and preservation of future treatment options. The analysis found that 33% of patients who did not receive Fuzeon in their regimen at the beginning of the TORO studies developed resistance to at least one active treatment option after week 48 or virological failure. By comparison, only 13% of those who began with a Fuzeon -based regimen experienced loss of at least one active treatment option after 48 weeks or virological failure. Furthermore, significantly more patients who were treated with a Fuzeon -based regimen from the outset of the study achieved undetectable levels of HIV (less than 400 copies/mL), compared to the control arm, even including patients who switched to a Fuzeon -based regimen after failing a regimen without Fuzeon (32% vs. 22%, respectively). These data indicate that in triple class experienced patients, a Fuzeon-based regimen should be initiated at the next switch in therapy and not delayed until failure of additional regimens.

Key Initiatives:2004 and 2005

Given the demonstrated efficacy, durability and safety of Fuzeon-based therapies in treatment experienced patients, we are focusing much of our promotional efforts on three primary objectives; expanding the adoption and initiation of therapy with Fuzeon, enhancing retention of patients on therapy, and ensuring full access for individuals that have been prescribed Fuzeon. We have developed and are implementing specific programs that address these three objectives. These programs complement our more traditional marketing and sales efforts and specifically address the issues pertaining to chronic use of an injectable therapy.

First, Trimeris and Roche have launched two nursing support programs that are designed to augment the existing Fuzeon Answer Center—a patient treatment hotline. The first of these programs is a local nursing program that offers virtually full-time support via a dedicated nursing call center for Fuzeon patients. This support includes assistance with

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drug preparation, administration, and the management of ongoing therapy. A total of 2,606 patients received assistance from the Fuzeon Answer Center in 2004, with an additional 161 patients enrolled in our outreach support initiative. The second program utilizes a team of nurses specially trained on the preparation and administration of Fuzeon, who travel to physician’s offices or patient’s homes to assist with the proper use of the drug. Through the first four months following initiation (as of December 31, 2004), 275 patients had received assistance from this program. We believe that these adherence and persistency initiatives will continue to improve patient retention from the first week of therapy initiation and address some of the problems identified in our field experience to date.

Second, we are initiating various promotional campaigns. At the time of commercial launch in 2003, we believed that demand for Fuzeon would exceed our ability to manufacture drug supply in the period immediately following launch. As a result, we conducted limited direct promotion to stimulate demand during 2003. Now that supply limitations have been overcome, and given the broader experience with Fuzeon among clinicians and patients, we are positioned to leverage and communicate their experiences in the broadest manner possible. Trimeris and Roche are working to heighten awareness of Fuzeon through ongoing advertising and promotional campaigns. These print and internet campaigns, directed to patients, clinicians, pharmacists, nurses, and treatment educators, were implemented across the U.S. in 2004 and will continue in various forms in 2005.

Prior to launch, only about 250 of the top 2,000 AIDS treating physicians in the U.S. had any experience with Fuzeon. This differs from other HIV medications that had very large Expanded Access Programs (EAP) prior to launch, allowing for a greater number of physicians and patients to have experience with the medication prior to approval. Because of prior supply constraints, we were unable to have an EAP of the size and scope associated with most HIV products. We believe that more than 2,500 physicians in the United States have prescribed Fuzeon through December 31, 2004. We now have the physician and patient experience that most HIV drugs experience when they launch.

To address the needs of treatment experienced patients living with HIV disease, Trimeris and Roche have launched the Fuzeon Accelerated Simultaneous Access Program (ASAP). This new initiative provides immediate access to Fuzeon for patients who are starting treatment with Fuzeon in combination with an investigational anti-HIV drug obtained through an expanded access program (EAP). Fuzeon ASAP helps to facilitate simultaneous initiation of Fuzeon with an active investigational agent in a regimen deemed medically appropriate by a physician. For patients starting treatment with Fuzeon in combination with an investigational drug in expanded access, Fuzeon ASAP provides up to a 60-day supply of Fuzeon at no cost to the patient, which consists of an immediate shipment of a 30-day supply and an additional 30-day supply if reimbursement is still pending. Upon request, patient support and adherence programs, including at-home nurse visits, are provided to help facilitate successful initiation and continuation of therapy throughout the duration of treatment. Trimeris and Roche cannot ensure access to Fuzeon for all patients beyond the initial 60 days if reimbursement is not then established. However, reimbursement assistance is available to assist in securing coverage for continued Fuzeon use.

In order to further enhance a patient’s ability to initiate and remain on Fuzeon containing therapies, we have initiated a number of studies to assess the acceptance and utility of novel subcutaneous injection (SCI) delivery systems. Among these are the Becton Dickinson 31 gauge, thin-walled syringe/needle (BD31G) and the Biojector 2000 (B2000) needle-free delivery system. The BD31G is a shorter, insulin-type of needle that may afford more consistent SCI dosing that may lead to improvement in the incidence or severity of potential injection site reactions associated with Fuzeon administration. The BD31G is currently being evaluated in the Phase IIIb/IV study known as T-20 Qualité. We anticipate publishing the findings of the T-20 Qualité study later this year. The B2000 has been used to deliver millions of injections in a wide range of healthcare settings since receiving FDA approval in 1996. Since 1996, the use of the B2000 has ranged from vaccine administration to chronic therapy dosing for multiple sclerosis and diabetes. B2000 needle-free injection works by forcing medication rapidly through a tiny orifice held against the skin. This creates a fine stream of high-pressure fluid that penetrates the skin and deposits medication in the tissue beneath. Patient satisfaction surveys conducted by Bioject and their partners indicate a high preference (>70%) for drug administration via this needle-free system for a range of medications as compared to conventional needle/syringe delivery. The reasons expressed for such preference include elimination of needle-phobia, ease of injection process, and amelioration of injection site reactions. Recently, we have completed a single-dose cross-over trial with Fuzeon known as T-20 405 that was designed to compare the Bioject B2000 needle-free injection device with a standard

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needle/syringe administered by a health care practitioner. Data from this trial indicates that in this setting use of the needle-free device results in bioequivalent levels of Fuzeon when compared to the standard needle/syringe. A second study has been proposed which is designed to compare the Bioject B2000 needle-free injection device with standard needle/syringe self-administration. We plan to pursue labeling discussions with regulatory agencies to allow the promotion of the administration of Fuzeon via the B2000 system.

Phase III Clinical Trials of Fuzeon

Trial Design

TORO-1, a 48-week Phase III clinical trial was conducted in North America and Brazil. The trial evaluated the activity and safety of Fuzeon in 491 HIV-infected patients who had previously used all three classes of currently-approved anti-HIV drugs. In this clinical trial, all patients received an individually optimized background regimen of three to five anti-HIV drugs other than Fuzeon. In the control group, patients received only the optimized background regimen which was selected based on the patient’s treatment history and the genotype and phenotype of the patient’s virus. A genotypic resistance analysis involves examination of the genetic sequence of the strains of virus present in the sample. A phenotypic resistance analysis involves an assessment of the ability of a drug to block infection caused by strains of a virus grown in culture.

TORO-2, a 48-week Phase III clinical trial was conducted in Western Europe and Australia. The protocol for TORO-2 was substantially similar to TORO-1 and studied 504 HIV-infected patients.

Clinical Trial Results

In 2003, we presented data from a 48-week pooled analysis of TORO-1 and TORO-2. The primary endpoint for the clinical trials, the difference in the magnitude of decrease in HIV viral loads between the Fuzeon group and the control group, was met in both the TORO-1 and TORO-2 clinical trials and was statistically significant. Additionally, the increase of CD4 count from baseline and suppression of viral load below the level of detection were also statistically significant. An increase in CD4 cell count is indicative of immune system restoration and is important in reducing the likelihood of opportunistic infection. The following table summarizes the 48-week pooled data, calculated in accordance with FDA guidelines. Patients in the control group that experienced virologic failure after eight weeks on therapy were allowed to add Fuzeon, with or without changing their background regimen. The last observations for viral load and CD4 cell count prior to the regimen change for these patients was used for analysis of the group response. All data depicted below were statistically significant. Stated otherwise, the statistical measures, p-values, for all the data shown below were less than 0.05. In both of the trials, the p-values for the primary endpoints were less than 0.0001.

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The response of patients in the Fuzeon group surpassed that of the control group across all subgroups studied, including age, race, baseline CD4 count and baseline viral load. In both treatment groups, greater viral load reduction was seen in patients who had more active drugs in their optimized background regimen, less treatment experience and less advanced disease, defined as a patient with a CD4 count greater than 100 cells.

The superiority of virological response achieved with Fuzeon-based regimens was observed regardless of the number of active agents in the background regimen. Among patients whose virus was sensitive to one drug in the background regimen, 29% of patients in the Fuzeon group achieved levels of HIV below 400 copies, compared to 7% in the control group. Among patients whose virus was sensitive to two active agents in the background regimen, 39% of patients achieved levels of HIV below 400 copies in the Fuzeon group at 48 weeks compared to 15% in the control group. These results were statistically significant.

48-Week Efficacy Data

Combined TORO-1 and TORO-2 48-week data showed that 30% of patients in the Fuzeon group had undetectable levels of HIV, defined as less than 400 copies per milliliter of blood, compared to 12% in the control group. In addition, 80% of the patients in the Fuzeon group who achieved a reduction of HIV viral load to below 400 copies per milliliter of blood at 24 weeks maintained this response at 48 weeks, compared to 70% in the control group. Thirty-seven percent of patients in the Fuzeon group maintained at least a 90%, or 1.0 log₁₀, reduction in blood levels of HIV at 48 weeks compared to 17% of patients in the control group. Previous clinical studies in HIV have shown that a 68%, or 0.5 log₁₀ reduction in HIV levels may be associated with clinical benefit to patients. On average, patients in the Fuzeon group experienced an increase of twice as many CD4 immune cells from baseline as those achieved by patients in the control group at 48 weeks. In addition, the median duration of virological benefit in the Fuzeon group of 32 weeks was approximately three times longer than the median duration of 11 weeks in the control group. All of these results were highly statistically significant.

96 Week Efficacy Data

In July 2004, we announced data from patients in TORO-1 and TORO-2 that have completed 96 weeks of treatment with Fuzeon. Fuzeon durably suppresses HIV and provides continuous increases in CD4 cells over a period of 96 weeks.

Additional analyses indicate that there is a distinct disadvantage to patients who wait to initiate Fuzeon based therapy. In the TORO study, patients originally randomized to the control group were allowed to add Fuzeon to a re-optimized regimen at virological failure or after 48 weeks on study. Data continued to be collected from these patients that we have now defined as the “switch” patient. Patients in the Fuzeon treatment group from the outset of the studies achieved a mean viral load reduction in blood levels of HIV of 2.1 log₁₀ through 96 weeks of treatment. This reduction was markedly greater than that achieved by the “switch” patients who achieved a mean reduction in viral load at 96 weeks of 1.1 log₁₀. Patients in the Fuzeon treatment group saw continuous improvements in CD4 cells over the study period with the mean CD4 increase from baseline of 166 cells per cubic millimeter at week 96 compared to 116 cells per cubic millimeter in the “switch” patient group.

More than half of treatment-experienced patients who began using Fuzeon at the outset of the study were successful in completing 96 weeks of treatment.

Impact of Fuzeon on Activities of Daily Living

Data collected from a survey of patients in TORO-1 and TORO-2 suggest that subcutaneous delivery of Fuzeon was well-accepted by a majority of patients after 48 weeks of treatment.

Conducted among 492 patients in TORO-1 and TORO-2 at week 48, the survey assessed whether the subcutaneous delivery of Fuzeon influenced a patient’s ability to conduct normal activities of daily living, or ADL. Most patients reported little or no impact of injection on familiar routines of work (81%), sleep (90%), social life (84%), travel (65%), intimacy (77%), or privacy (69%). These findings suggest that motivated patients who receive instruction were able to manage self-injection with little difficulty and without the need for substantial changes in daily routines.

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The survey found that 67% of patients scored self-injection as “very easy” or “easy.” Other responses were “neutral” (18%), “difficult” (13%) and “very difficult” (3%). Most patients also rated as “very easy” or “easy” various activities relating to the preparation and usage of Fuzeon, such as administration (67%), dissolution of study drug (78%), refrigeration (79%) and disposal of needles/syringes (79%).

Results from this survey after 48 weeks of treatment suggest that subcutaneous injection of Fuzeon was manageable for a majority of patients. Data was collected from 581 patients remaining on treatment at 24 weeks. After 24 weeks, most patients reported little or no impact of injection on familiar routines of work (85%), sleep (90%), social life (84%), travel (68%), intimacy (77%), privacy (70%), or appearance (75%).

Safety Results

The following safety results reflect the data included in the original FDA-approved package insert for Fuzeon. The overall safety profile of Fuzeon is based on 1,188 subjects who received at least one dose of Fuzeon during various clinical trials. This includes 1,153 adults, 608 of whom received the recommended dose for greater than 24 weeks, and 35 pediatric subjects. Assessment of adverse events is based on the pooled data from the two Phase III studies, TORO-1 and TORO-2.

Local Injection Site Reactions.    Local injection site reactions, or ISRs, were the most frequent adverse events associated with the use of Fuzeon. In TORO-1 and TORO-2, 98% of subjects had at least one local ISR. Three percent of subjects discontinued treatment with Fuzeon because of ISRs. The majority of ISRs were associated with mild to moderate pain at the injection site, redness, induration and the presence of bumps. Nine percent of patients had local reactions that required analgesics or limited usual activities.

Other Adverse Events.    Serious allergic reactions have been attributed to Fuzeon in less than 1% of patients and in some cases have recurred upon subsequent re-dosing. The events most frequently reported in patients in the Fuzeon group, excluding injection site reactions, were diarrhea (26.8%), nausea (20.1%), and fatigue (16.1%). These events were also commonly observed in the control group and occurred more frequently: diarrhea (33.5%), nausea (23.7%), and fatigue (17.4%).

An increased rate of bacterial pneumonia was observed in the Fuzeon group in TORO-1 and TORO-2, compared to the control group. There were 4.68 pneumonia events per 100 patient-years in the Fuzeon group, versus 0.61 events per 100 patient-years in the control group. Approximately half of the study subjects with pneumonia required hospitalization. One subject death in the Fuzeon group was attributed to pneumonia. Risk factors for pneumonia included low baseline CD4 cell count, high baseline viral load, intravenous drug use, smoking and a prior history of lung disease. It is unclear if the increased incidence of pneumonia was related to Fuzeon use. The study design, which allowed patients in the control group that experienced virologic failure after eight weeks on therapy to change their regimen to a Fuzeon containing regimen, may have contributed to this observation. Trimeris and Roche are studying this further in an epidemiology study of pneumonia in HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy.

48-week Safety Data

The 48-week analysis of safety data from the combined TORO-1 and TORO-2 trials revealed that, on at least one study visit, 98% of patients in the Fuzeon group experienced at least one localized ISR, such as pain/discomfort, redness, hardness, bumps, itching or bruising. Less than 5% of patients discontinued treatment due to ISRs. Due to a substantial difference in the duration of treatment for patients in the Fuzeon group compared with the control group, the rate of adverse events was measured as number of events per 100 years of patient experience. Aside from ISRs, the incidence of the three most common adverse events was less frequent in the Fuzeon group compared to the control group. Adverse events included diarrhea (38 per 100 patient-years in the Fuzeon group vs. 73 in the control group), nausea (27 vs. 50, respectively) and fatigue (24 vs. 38, respectively). Other common signs and symptoms reported at a lower frequency in the Fuzeon group than the control group were headache, insomnia, and vomiting. Among events reported more commonly in the Fuzeon group compared to the control group were pain or numbness in the peripheral nervous system, weight decrease, decreased appetite, swelling of lymph nodes and pneumonia. Other than treatment-emergent eosinophilia, grade 3 and grade 4 laboratory abnormalities, when adjusted for exposure, generally showed higher rates in the control group compared to the Fuzeon group. The eosinophilia was not associated with clinical events of hypersensitivity in either treatment group.

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96-week Safety Data

No new safety issues were identified in the 96-week analysis, and there was no evidence of long-term or cumulative toxicities. Rather, patients in the Fuzeon treatment group experienced less diarrhea, nausea and fatigue, side effects often associated with anti-HIV drug therapy. The frequency and severity of injection site reactions remained constant and did not increase in severity over 96 weeks.

Current and Future Fuzeon Clinical Trials

We expect to continue our ongoing clinical trials as well as initiate new clinical trials with Fuzeon during 2005. These trials will focus on the following primary needs for current and potential Fuzeon patients: evaluation of new delivery systems that may reduce needle-phobia and/or ameliorate the rate/severity of injection site reactions; the effect of Fuzeon in patients with less treatment experience than in our TORO trials; and the potential for reducing other anti-HIV drug related toxicities and/or adverse events. The table below summarizes our current on-going, or recently completed, clinical trials.

The T20-405 and ENF-404 trials involve the use of the currently approved Biojector 2000 needle-free injection device manufactured by Bioject Medical Technologies, Inc., described above.

Collaborations

Roche

We have entered into a worldwide agreement, as amended, with Roche to develop and market Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound. Our agreement with Roche grants them an exclusive, worldwide license for Fuzeon and T-1249 and certain other peptide compounds in the field of HIV. Roche may terminate its license as a whole or for a particular country or countries in its sole discretion with advance notice. We will share development expenses and profits for Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound, in the United States and Canada equally with Roche. Outside of the United States and Canada, Roche will fund all development costs and pay us royalties on net sales of Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound, for a specified term. In addition, the agreement calls for Trimeris to receive up to $68 million in upfront and milestone payments, of which we have achieved $28.3 million as of December 31, 2004. Our collaboration with Roche is a contractual one and is not a separate legal entity. Consequently, we have no investment in any collaboration entity. All assets used in the manufacture of Fuzeon by Roche are owned and operated by Roche.

Roche is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of Fuzeon; all sales are made through their sales force. The results of our commercial operations are reported on our financial statements as “Collaboration profit/loss” which is calculated as follows: Total gross sales of Fuzeon by Roche in the United States and Canada is reduced by estimates for discounts, rebates and returns resulting in total net sales. Net sales are reduced by costs of goods sold resulting in gross margin. Gross margin is reduced by selling and marketing expenses and other expenses related to the sale of Fuzeon, resulting in operating income or loss. The Company’s 50% share of the operating income or loss is

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reported as collaboration income or loss. This information is disclosed below in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Critical Accounting Policies—Collaboration Loss.”

Substantially all of the data used to calculate the Collaboration income or loss is derived from information provided by Roche. We compare sales amounts to data from third party services such as IMS for accuracy. Roche’s estimate of discounts, rebates and returns is first reviewed by Trimeris marketing personnel based on their knowledge of the payor mix and other factors and is then reviewed by the Trimeris finance staff. The collaboration has a North American Joint Marketing Committee, or NAJMC, that oversees the commercialization activities related to Fuzeon. The NAJMC consists of representatives from Roche and Trimeris. The NAJMC reviews the budgets for the direct marketing costs and Roche sales force costs charged to Fuzeon and the costs of departments at Roche that devote time on Fuzeon-related issues, such as government affairs and reimbursement. The actual costs are reviewed by the Trimeris NAJMC members and compared to budgeted amounts prior to inclusion in collaboration income/loss. In the event that we are not satisfied after reviewing the actual costs, we will withhold payment until presented with satisfactory documentation or appropriate adjustments to the charges are made. Historically the calculation of the collaboration income/loss has been consistent from period to period but we cannot guarantee that fluctuations will not occur.

We recognize 50% of the total Collaboration profit/loss, which includes estimates made by and recorded by Roche for reductions to gross sales for expected returns of expired products, government rebate programs, such as Medicaid reimbursements, and customer incentives, such as cash discounts for prompt payment. Estimates for government rebate programs and cash discounts are determined by Roche based on contractual terms, historical information from Roche’s anti-HIV drug portfolio, and Roche’s expectations regarding future utilization rates for these programs. Estimates for product returns are based on an on-going analysis of industry return patterns and historical return patterns by Roche for its anti-HIV drug portfolio. This includes the purchase of third-party data by Roche to assist Roche and us in monitoring channel inventory levels and subsequent prescriptions for Fuzeon. We also monitor the activities and clinical trials of our key competitors and assess the potential impact on future Fuzeon sales and return expectations where necessary. Expected returns for Fuzeon are generally low as Fuzeon has a high Wholesale Acquisition Cost, or WAC, compared to other anti-HIV drugs, and requires significantly more storage space than other anti-HIV drugs due to the size of a monthly kit because Fuzeon requires twice daily injections. Consequently wholesalers tend to stock only the necessary volumes of Fuzeon inventory. We believe that wholesalers hold about three weeks supply that has been sold by Roche to wholesalers, but not yet purchased by patients. The current shelf life of Fuzeon is 36 months. Roche reviews the estimates discussed above on a quarterly basis and adjusts estimates as appropriate for changes in facts or circumstances. This estimate reduces our share of collaboration income or loss under our collaboration agreement.

We have also entered into a research agreement with Roche to discover, develop and commercialize additional anti-HIV gp41 fusion inhibitor peptides. Pursuant to the agreement, Trimeris and Roche agreed to share the worldwide research, development and commercialization expenses and profits from the worldwide sales of anti-HIV gp41 fusion inhibitor peptides created after July 1, 1999. Although, the research agreement itself does not require that a specific amount be spent on any annual research plan, at their discretion, either party has the option to supplement the budgeted research plan at their own additional expense. At present we are still in discussions with Roche to define the research plan and budget for 2005. Our agreement with Roche grants them an exclusive, worldwide license for these peptides. Either party may terminate the agreement as a whole or for a particular drug, country or countries in its sole discretion with advance notice. In 2004, we announced that Trimeris and Roche had renewed the joint research obligations under the agreement through December 31, 2005.

Array Biopharma

In 2001, we entered into an agreement with Array BioPharma, Inc., or Array, to discover orally-available small molecule fusion inhibitors of HIV and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. We will initially screen a library of small molecule compounds provided by Array against HIV and RSV fusion protein targets. A small molecule is defined as a molecule that has a molecular weight of less than 2000 daltons. Array will use its drug discovery platform to select the optimal lead compounds. We will collaborate with Array to identify preclinical candidates, and we will be responsible for further development of those candidates. Array will provide the initial library of compounds on a non-exclusive basis and will work exclusively with us on the HIV fusion protein targets during the term of the collaboration. We will work with Array on a non-exclusive basis on these targets. Array will be entitled to receive payments and royalties

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based on achievement of certain developmental and commercial milestones. In June 2004, the companies announced the renewal of this research agreement. As part of this renewed agreement, Trimeris will screen small molecule compounds created by Array against HIV entry inhibitor targets. The terms of the agreement are substantially similar to those of the initial agreement, signed in 2001.

Neokimia, Inc.

In 2002, we entered into an agreement with Neokimia Inc., or Neokimia, to discover and develop small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors. We will initially screen a library of small molecule compounds provided by Neokimia. Neokimia will use its proprietary drug discovery platform to optimize lead compounds. We will collaborate with Neokimia to identify preclinical drug candidates. Neokimia will provide the initial library of compounds on a non-exclusive basis and will work exclusively with us on the HIV gp41 fusion protein target during the term of the collaboration. We exercised our option to select an additional target to add to the collaboration related to HIV fusion. We will work with Neokimia on a non-exclusive basis on these targets. We, with Neokimia, will equally fund all research activities through the declaration of a development candidate. We will be responsible for all future clinical development, regulatory and commercial activities on a worldwide basis. Neokimia will be entitled to receive payments and royalties on net product sales based on achievement of certain developmental and commercial milestones. Neokimia also has an option to co-fund clinical development activities for development compounds through the end of Phase I human clinical trials, in exchange for increased royalties on net product sales. In December 2003, Neokimia merged with Tranzyme, Inc., or Tranzyme, and Tranzyme acquired Neokimia’s rights and obligations under the 2002 agreement.

Research

As part of our business strategy, we conduct research and development activities both internally and with our collaborative partners. Our research efforts focus primarily on treating viral diseases by identifying novel mechanisms for blocking viral fusion. In total, our research and development (R&D) expenses for 2004 were $21.3 million, compared with $36.8 million for 2003 and $51.2 million for 2002.

Viral Fusion Inhibitors

Viruses utilize the intracellular machinery of a cell to make components that are necessary for viral replication. Viruses cause disease when their uncontrolled replication interferes with the basic function of the invaded cells. The attraction of a virus to the cell it infects is based upon a specific interaction between the receptors on the surface of the target cell and the virus.

Viral infection of cells occurs through a cyclical, multi-step process, consisting of viral entry, intracellular replication and release. Once the viral genetic material is inside the target cell, this material then directs the target cell to produce viral proteins and enzymes that are necessary to complete the replication cycle of the virus. When viral replication is completed, newly formed viruses are released from the cell. These newly formed viruses spread by infecting new cells. The cycle is repeated when the replicated virus infects the new cells.

Currently marketed antiviral therapies typically target specific enzymes that viruses use to replicate. Other compounds that are in clinical development, including ours, focus on the entry of the viruses into target cells. We have pioneered the discovery and development of a new class of anti-HIV compounds, called fusion inhibitors, that prevents one of the crucial steps in viral entry from occurring by blocking the conformational rearrangement of HIV required to allow HIV to fuse with a host cell. Fuzeon is a first-generation fusion inhibitor that prevents HIV from entering and infecting cells. T-1249 is a rationally designed second-generation fusion inhibitor. Our third generation, or next generation peptides, are also rationally designed peptides with the goal of being long-acting and having an enhanced resistance profile as compared to Fuzeon.

Novel HIV gp41 Peptide Fusion Inhibitors.    One of the goals of the research agreement with Roche is to identify technologies that improve our anti-HIV peptides. This could be achieved through improving the potency and/or the time that a peptide remains active in the bloodstream, commonly referred to as the molecule’s half-life. This improved

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half-life may be achieved by attaching additional molecular entities to a peptide. The resulting dosing regimen could be significantly less frequent than the current twice-daily subcutaneous injection that Fuzeon requires.

Another goal of the research agreement is to discover a peptide with an enhanced resistance profile. This profile could include effectiveness against HIV strains that may become resistant to other HIV gp41 peptide fusion inhibitors. A second resistance profile improvement would be a peptide that makes it more difficult for HIV to generate resistant virus strains to the peptide, therefore improving the durability of the peptide in therapy. We believe these resistance profile improvements could lead to additional market acceptance of such a peptide.

With respect to our next generation peptide program, our intention is to identify a next generation fusion inhibitor candidate that has an optimized virological and pharmacokinetic profile as well as to identify a sustained-release formulation for that peptide that will allow significantly less frequent dosing. We, together with our partner Roche, are currently researching several promising anti-viral peptides, with the hope of selecting one of these peptides for advanced pre-clinical studies. In the near future, we plan to select a lead candidate and a back-up candidate that will proceed to advanced formulation studies. The results of these studies will determine how rapidly we move towards naming a clinical candidate.

Other Research Programs

Fuzeon Product Optimization.    We believe we may be able to improve upon the potential product attributes of Fuzeon by enhancing methods of delivery. Fuzeon is currently delivered via a twice-daily subcutaneous injection. We believe that incremental improvements in delivery convenience could enhance its market acceptance resulting in enhanced adoption, broader use and improved therapy adherence over time. We are currently working with Roche to explore more convenient delivery, such as use of smaller gauge needles, needle-free delivery devices, multi-dose vials, and other enhancements. We continue to evaluate the ability to administer Fuzeon once daily with the current formulation in the clinical trial known as T20-401. While we are no longer actively pursing once daily dosing formulations of Fuzeon with our internal research efforts, we continue to evaluate the technologies of third parties that might allow once daily dosing.

Small Molecule HIV Fusion Inhibitors.    We also have discovery programs that are focused on orally available small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors. The development of small molecule HIV fusion inhibitors is not within the scope of our collaboration with Roche. We have entered into two agreements with Array BioPharma, Inc., and Neokimia, Inc., to discover small molecule fusion inhibitors of HIV.

Sales, Marketing and Distribution

Trimeris does not exercise direct control over the sales, marketing or distribution of Fuzeon. We currently rely on Roche for the sales, marketing and distribution of Fuzeon and, if they are approved by the FDA, any other drug candidates covered by our collaboration with Roche, in accordance with the marketing terms contained in our development and license agreement with Roche. Roche may terminate this agreement at any time with advance notice. If Roche fails to market Fuzeon or our other drug candidates, if approved, adequately, we do not have the ability under our collaboration agreement to establish our own sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. If Roche ceases to market Fuzeon or our other drug candidates by terminating our agreement, and we were unable to reach agreement with one or more other marketing partners, we would be required to develop internal sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. We may not be able to establish cost-effective sales, marketing or distribution capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these activities on acceptable terms on a timely basis, if at all. This would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock.

Our agreement with Roche and any sales, marketing or distribution arrangements we establish with other parties gives Roche, and may give those parties, significant control over important aspects of the commercialization of Fuzeon and our other drug candidates, including:

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We may not be able to control the amount or timing of resources that Roche or any third party may devote to our drug candidates.

Roche previously had entered into an exclusive distribution arrangement with Chronimed, Inc. to distribute Fuzeon in the United States during the initial commercial launch in 2003 and the first part of 2004. This exclusive arrangement terminated in April 2004 and Fuzeon became available through retail and specialty pharmacies across the U.S. This development has enhanced and simplified access to Fuzeon for patients and their healthcare providers by allowing physicians to write prescriptions for Fuzeon in the same manner as they prescribe other medications. Furthermore, patients are now able to get Fuzeon from the retail or specialty pharmacy of their choice, including Chronimed.

Patents, Proprietary Technology and Trade Secrets

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability, and the ability of our collaborators or licensors, to obtain protection for our products and technologies under United States and foreign patent laws, to preserve our trade secrets and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties.

We own or have exclusive licenses to 35 issued United States patents, numerous pending United States patent applications, and certain corresponding foreign patents and patent applications. Most of our United States patents issued to date are currently set to expire between 2013 and 2022.

We also rely on trade secrets, know-how and other proprietary information, which we seek to protect, in part, through the use of confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants, advisors and others. These agreements may not provide adequate protection for our trade secrets, know-how or other proprietary information in the event of any unauthorized disclosure. Our employees, consultants or advisors could disclose our trade secrets or proprietary information to competitors, which would be detrimental to us.

We have an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-bearing license from the New York Blood Center under certain U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications relating to certain HIV peptides. Under this license we are required to pay the New York Blood Center a royalty equal to one-half of one percent of the net sales of Fuzeon up to $100 million in a calendar year, and one-quarter of one percent of net sales in excess of $100 million for that calendar year. For 2004, we recognized expense of approximately $575,000 for royalty payments due to the New York Blood Center related to the sales of Fuzeon.

Competition

We are engaged in segments of the biopharmaceutical industry, including the treatment of HIV, that are intensely competitive and change rapidly. Fuzeon and any other HIV fusion inhibitors we may develop will compete with numerous existing therapies. For example, at least 20 drugs are currently approved in the United States for the treatment of HIV. In addition, a number of companies are pursuing the development of novel pharmaceutical products that target HIV. Some companies, including several multi-national pharmaceutical companies, are simultaneously marketing several different drugs and may therefore be able to market their own combination drug therapies. We believe that a significant number of drugs are currently under development and will become available in the future for the treatment of HIV.

Fuzeon is delivered via twice daily subcutaneous injections, each delivering 90 mg of Fuzeon. The other approved anti-HIV drugs are delivered orally at various dosing intervals. We believe that this delivery method is one factor that

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may limit its uptake as compared to other competing drugs. In addition, the Wholesale Acquisition Cost, or WAC, of Fuzeon is approximately $21,000 for one year of therapy. This price is significantly higher than any of the other approved anti-HIV drugs. Fuzeon’s price relative to other approved anti-HIV drugs may also limit patient demand.

The need for drugs that have a novel mechanism of action has stimulated interest in the inhibition of HIV entry into the cell. We believe that several companies are developing or attempting to develop HIV drug candidates that inhibit entry of the virus into the cell via mechanisms other than fusion. Several companies including GlaxoSmithKline PLC, Pfizer, Inc., and Schering Plough Corp, are developing CCR5 inhibitors that inhibit entry of the virus into the cell through a different mechanism. These compounds are in various stages of development and none are currently approved by the FDA.

The standard of care for the treatment of HIV is to administer a regimen that combines drugs from each of the different classes of anti-HIV drugs. In the event drug candidates are approved that are effective against HIV virus that has become resistant to currently approved drugs, we believe that using these drugs in combination with Fuzeon may provide patients with additional treatment options that do not currently exist. These drugs may be both competitive with Fuzeon in some cases, and synergistic with Fuzeon in other cases.

We believe that there is a significant future market for therapeutics that treat HIV and other viral diseases. However, we anticipate that we will face intense and increasing competition in the future as new products enter the market and advanced technologies become available. Existing products or new products for the treatment of HIV developed by our competitors may be more effective, less expensive or more effectively marketed than any products eventually commercialized by us.

Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical and human resources than we have and may be better able to develop, manufacture, sell, market and distribute products. Many of these competitors have products that have been approved or are in late-stage development. These competitors also operate large, well-funded research and development programs. In addition, smaller companies may prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Furthermore, academic institutions, governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the commercial value of their inventions for the treatment of HIV and are more actively seeking to commercialize the technology they have developed.

New developments in our areas of research and development are expected to continue at a rapid pace in both industry and academia. If our drug candidates are successfully developed and approved, we will face competition based on:

Our competitors may develop more effective or more affordable technology or products, or achieve earlier patent protection, product development or product commercialization than we can. Our competitors may succeed in commercializing products more rapidly or effectively than we can, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock.

Government Regulation

Human pharmaceutical products are subject to lengthy and rigorous preclinical testing and clinical trials and other extensive, costly and time-consuming procedures mandated by the FDA and foreign regulatory authorities. The regulatory approval process includes:

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This process typically takes a number of years, depending upon the type, complexity and novelty of the pharmaceutical product. This process is expensive and gives larger companies with greater financial resources a competitive advantage over us.

The steps required by the FDA before new drugs may be marketed in the United States include:

In the United States, preclinical testing includes both culture and animal laboratory evaluation and characterization of the safety and efficacy of a drug and its formulation. Certain laboratories involved in preclinical testing must comply with FDA regulations regarding good laboratory practices. Preclinical testing results are submitted to the FDA as part of the IND and, unless there is objection by the FDA, the IND will become effective 30 days following its receipt by the FDA. Submission of an IND does not guarantee that human clinical trials will ever commence.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational drug to healthy volunteers or to patients under the supervision of a qualified principal investigator. These clinical trials typically are conducted in three sequential phases, although the phases may overlap with one another.

Phase I clinical trials represent the initial administration of the investigational drug to a small group of healthy human subjects or, more rarely, to a group of selected patients with a targeted disease or disorder. The goal of Phase I clinical trials is typically to test for safety, dose tolerance, absorption, bio-distribution, metabolism, excretion and clinical pharmacology.

Phase II clinical trials involve a small sample of the actual intended patient population and seek to assess the effectiveness of the drug for the specific targeted indications, to determine dose tolerance and the optimal dose range and to gather additional information relating to safety and potential adverse effects.

Phase III clinical trials are initiated to establish further clinical safety and effectiveness of the investigational drug in a broader sample of the general patient population at geographically dispersed study sites in order to determine the overall risk-benefit ratio of the drug and to provide an adequate basis for all labeling for promotion and use. The results of the research and product development, manufacturing, preclinical testing, clinical trials and related information are submitted to the FDA in the form of an NDA for approval of the marketing and shipment of the drug.

The FDA closely monitors the progress of each of the three phases of clinical trials and may, at its discretion, reevaluate, alter, suspend or terminate the testing based upon the data accumulated to that point and the FDA’s assessment of the risk/benefit ratio to the patient. Once Phase III trials are completed, drug developers submit the results of preclinical studies, clinical trials and information on the manufacturing of the drug to the FDA in the form of an NDA for approval to commence commercial sales. Once submitted, the FDA is required to take action on an NDA within a specified period of time. FDA action may be any one of the following: approval to market the drug, request for additional information or denial of approval. FDA approvals may not be granted on a timely basis, or at all. Furthermore, the FDA may prevent a drug developer from marketing a product under a label for its desired indications, which may impair commercialization of the product. Similar regulatory procedures must be complied with in countries outside the United States.

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Congress enacted the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA), in part, to ensure the timely availability of safe and effective drugs, biologics and medical devices by expediting the FDA review process for new products. Among other things, FDAMA establishes a statutory program for so-called fast track products, which are defined as new drugs or biologics intended for the treatment of serious or life-threatening conditions that demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for such conditions. Under the fast track program, the sponsor of the new drug or biologic may request the FDA to designate the drug or biologic as a fast track product at any time during clinical development of the product. FDAMA also provides for “rolling” submission of an NDA for a fast track product, where a sponsor may submit portions of the application to the FDA on a rolling basis. Drugs designated for the fast track development program may be considered for priority review and for accelerated approval based on an endpoint other than that required for full approval.

Our potential drug candidates may never receive commercialization approval in any country on a timely basis, or at all, even after substantial time and expenditures. If we are unable to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of our product candidates to the satisfaction of the FDA or foreign regulatory authorities, we will be unable to commercialize our drug candidates. This would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and market price of our stock. Even if regulatory approval of a drug candidate is obtained, the approval may limit the indicated uses for which the drug candidate may be marketed.

We, Roche and any existing or potential future collaborative partners are also subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to:

Compliance with these laws, regulations and requirements may be costly and time-consuming and the failure to maintain such compliance by us or our existing and potential future collaborative partners could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The FDA gave fast track designation for the treatment of HIV-infected individuals to Fuzeon in January 1999 and to T-1249 in May 1999. In October 2004, the FDA granted Fuzeon full approval.

Drugs are also subject to extensive regulation outside the U.S. In the European Union, there is a centralized approval procedure that authorizes marketing of a product in all countries in the European Union (which include most of the major countries in Europe). If this procedure is not used, under a decentralized system an approval in one country of the European Union can be used to obtain approval in another country of the European Union under simplified application process. After approval under the centralized procedure, pricing and reimbursement approvals are also required in most countries. Fuzeon received full approval for use in the European Union in June 2004.

Third-Party Reimbursement and Healthcare Reform Measures

In the United States and elsewhere, sales of prescription drugs depend, in part, on the consumer’s ability to obtain reimbursement for the cost of the drugs from third-party payors, such as private and government insurance programs. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical products and services in an effort to promote cost containment measures and alternative health care delivery systems. Because of the high cost of the treatment of HIV, many state legislatures are also reassessing reimbursement policies for these therapies. If third-party payor reimbursements for any drugs we commercialize are not available or are not available at a level that will allow us or our potential collaborative partners to sell these drugs on a competitive basis, our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected. In addition, an increasing emphasis in the United States on the reduction of the overall costs of health care through managed care has increased and will continue to increase the pressure to reduce the prices of pharmaceutical products. The announcement and/or adoption of these types of proposals or efforts could also

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materially and adversely affect our business, since the amount of revenues that we may potentially be able to generate in the future for any products we may commercialize could affect an investor’s decision to invest in us, the amount of funds we decide to spend now on our development and clinical trial efforts, and/or our decision to seek regulatory approval for certain drug candidates.

Recently, several major pharmaceutical companies have offered to sell their anti-HIV drugs at or below cost to certain countries in Africa, which could adversely affect the reimbursement climate, and the prices that may be charged, for HIV medications in the United States and the rest of the world. Third-party payors could exert pressure for price reductions in the United States and the rest of the world based on these offers to Africa. This price pressure could limit the amount that we would be able to charge for our drugs.

The WAC of a one year’s supply of Fuzeon in the United States is approximately $21,000. This price is significantly higher than any of the other approved anti-HIV drugs. Furthermore, the indication approved by the FDA is for the use of Fuzeon in combination with other anti-HIV drugs. Physicians may not readily prescribe Fuzeon due to cost-benefit considerations when compared with other anti-HIV drug treatments. Higher prices could also limit our ability to receive reimbursement coverage for our drugs from third-party payors, such as private or government insurance programs. If Roche is unable to obtain and maintain reimbursement from a significant number of third-party payors, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Roche has made significant progress in achieving reimbursement from the various payors in the United States. Currently Fuzeon is covered by Medicaid in all 50 states, 43 of the state and territorial AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, or ADAPs, and a majority of private insurers. However there are reimbursement challenges remaining. Some of the payors require patients to meet minimum medical requirements, such as CD4 cell levels, to receive reimbursement. Other payors limit the number of patients that can receive reimbursement for Fuzeon under their plans. And other payors may require co-payments by the patient in order to receive reimbursement for Fuzeon that are significantly higher than those required for other anti-HIV drugs. We and Roche will continue to actively address these issues during 2005. Outside the United States, Roche in the process of negotiating reimbursement from the countries in which they plan to market Fuzeon.

Human Resources

During January of 2004, we and Roche put further clinical development of T-1249 on hold. In connection with this programmatic change, the Company reduced its workforce by approximately 25%. As of February 15, 2005, we had 97 full-time employees, including a technical scientific staff of 60. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining arrangements, and management considers relations with our employees to be good.

Website

Our website address is www.trimeris.com. We make available free of charge through our website, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, our director and officers’ Section 16 reports, and all amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after filing, by providing a hyperlink to the EDGAR website directly to our reports.

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.

Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

If Fuzeon does not maintain or increase its market acceptance, our business will be materially harmed.

We have invested a significant portion of our time and financial resources since our inception in the development of Fuzeon. Fuzeon is the only drug candidate for which we have obtained FDA approval. We anticipate that for the foreseeable future, our ability to generate revenues and profits, if any, will depend entirely on the successful commercialization of Fuzeon. Commercialization of Fuzeon will require the continued support of Roche and Roche’s ability to manufacture commercial quantities of Fuzeon on a cost-effective basis with the requisite quality, and Roche’s ability to successfully market Fuzeon throughout the world.

Fuzeon is delivered via a twice daily dosing by injection under the skin. All of the currently approved drug treatments for HIV are delivered orally. Patients and physicians may not readily accept daily injections of an anti-HIV drug treatment, which would limit their acceptance in the market. This delivery method may limit the use of Fuzeon compared to other competing drugs. Moreover, because peptides are expensive to manufacture, the price of Fuzeon is higher than the prices of currently approved anti-HIV drug treatments. The WAC of one year’s supply of Fuzeon in the United States is approximately $21,000. This price is significantly higher than any of the other approved anti-HIV drugs. Furthermore, the indication approved by the FDA is for the use of Fuzeon in combination with other anti-HIV drugs, and is more restrictive than the indication for other approved anti-HIV drugs. Physicians may not readily prescribe Fuzeon due to cost-benefit considerations when compared with other anti-HIV drug treatments. Higher prices could also limit our ability to receive reimbursement coverage for our drugs from third-party payors, such as private or government insurance programs. If Roche is unable to obtain and maintain reimbursement from a significant number of third-party payors, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on Roche to manufacture, market and distribute Fuzeon throughout the world in countries where regulatory approval has been received. If Roche fails to market Fuzeon adequately, we do not have the ability under our collaboration agreement to establish our own sales, marketing or distribution capabilities.

Roche has significant inventory of both finished product and raw materials on hand, if Fuzeon sales do not increase we could face the risk of significant write-offs.

Commercial sales of Fuzeon began in March 2003. In advance of the commercial launch, Roche manufactured large quantities of commercial drug product in order to satisfy an anticipated large pent-up demand for Fuzeon. Since that time, sales levels have not matched the original demand forecasts resulting in larger than anticipated inventories of raw materials, bulk drug substance and finished drug. These raw materials, bulk drug substance and finished drug product lots cannot be used beyond a certain date due to shelf-life expiration. If drug product is not sold before expiration of the shelf-date or if raw materials are not consumed, then Roche may write off these inventories at a significant expense to us. This would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock.

We have sustained operating losses since our inception, and we expect these losses to continue.

As of December 31, 2004, our accumulated deficit since beginning our operations in January 1993 was approximately $370.4 million. We had net losses of approximately $75.7 million in 2002, approximately $65.7 million in 2003, and approximately $40.1 million in 2004. Since inception, we have spent our funds on our drug development efforts relating primarily to the development of Fuzeon and T-1249. If Fuzeon sales levels do not increase beyond their

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current levels, we expect that we will incur losses for the foreseeable future and that these losses may increase as we continue our research and development, preclinical testing, clinical trial and regulatory approval efforts. There can be no assurance that we will become profitable even if we do achieve increased Fuzeon sales levels.

Any additional financing we obtain may result in dilution to our stockholders, restrictions on our operating flexibility or the transfer of particular rights to technologies or drug candidates.

If we raise funds by selling equity, equity-like instruments (including offering convertible preferred stock or convertible debt), we may dilute our stockholders’ percentage ownership interest in us. Any debt financings may contain restrictive terms that would limit our operating flexibility. Additionally, we may have to obtain funds through arrangements with collaborative partners. These partners may require us to relinquish rights to our technologies or drug candidates. Any of these forms of financing could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If Roche does not meet its contractual obligations to us, our research and development efforts and the regulatory approval and commercialization of our drug candidates could be delayed or otherwise materially and adversely affected.

We have entered into an agreement with Roche to develop and market Fuzeon and T-1249, or a replacement compound, worldwide, manufacture clinical and commercial quantities of these compounds, and help conduct our clinical trials of these compounds. In addition to sharing with us the development expenses and profits for these compounds in North America and paying us royalties on net sales of these compounds outside of those countries, the agreement calls for Trimeris to receive up to $68 million in upfront and milestone payments, of which we have achieved $28.3 million as of December 31, 2004. In addition, we have entered into a research agreement with Roche to discover, develop and commercialize other anti-HIV fusion inhibitor peptides. The joint research obligations under the agreement were renewed in January 2004 through December 31, 2005. Our reliance on Roche in connection with these activities poses a number of risks, including the following:

If any of the foregoing occurs or if Roche otherwise fails to fulfill any of its obligations to us in accordance with our agreements, our research and development efforts and clinical trials, and the regulatory approval and commercialization of our drug candidates could be delayed or otherwise materially and adversely affected.

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We also may rely from time to time on the services of other third parties in connection with our research and development and clinical trial activities, including contract research organizations, manufacturers who produce clinical amounts of our drug candidates, licensors, collaborators and others. The failure of any of these persons to perform their obligations as agreed may also delay and otherwise adversely affect our research and development, clinical trial activities and regulatory approval of our future drug candidates.

In order to become profitable we will need to maintain arrangements with third parties for the sale, marketing and distribution of our current and future drug candidates or expend significant resources to develop these capabilities.

We have limited experience in sales, marketing and distribution of pharmaceuticals. We currently rely on Roche for the sales, marketing and distribution of Fuzeon and plan to rely on Roche for these activities for any other potential drug candidates covered by our collaboration with Roche, in accordance with the marketing terms contained in our development and license agreement with Roche. Roche may terminate this agreement at any time with advance notice. If Roche fails to adequately market Fuzeon or our future drug candidates, if approved, we do not have the ability under our collaboration agreement to establish our own sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. If Roche ceases to market Fuzeon or our future drug candidates by terminating our agreement, and we were unable to reach agreement with one or more other marketing partners, we would be required to develop internal sales, marketing and distribution capabilities. We may not be able to establish cost-effective sales, marketing or distribution capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these activities on acceptable terms on a timely basis, if at all. This would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock.

Our agreement with Roche and any sales, marketing or distribution arrangements we establish with other parties gives Roche, and may give those parties, significant control over important aspects of the commercialization of our drugs, including:

We may not be able to control the amount or timing of resources that Roche or any third party may devote to our drug candidates.

If sufficient amounts of Fuzeon or any other drugs we attempt to bring to market cannot be manufactured on a cost-effective basis, our financial condition and results of operations will be materially and adversely affected.

Peptide-based therapeutics are made from long chains of molecular building blocks called amino acids. Fuzeon is a large peptide composed of a precise 36-amino acid sequence. Large peptides are difficult and expensive to manufacture because the process of creating commercial quantities of a large peptide is lengthy and complicated. We and Roche have selected Roche’s facility in Boulder, Colorado to manufacture commercial quantities of the bulk drug substance of Fuzeon. We and Roche have selected one of Roche’s manufacturing facilities and another third party to produce the finished drug product from such bulk drug substance through a process involving lyophilization, or freeze-drying. The process Roche is currently using to manufacture Fuzeon bulk drug substance requires approximately five months to complete and is extremely complicated, requiring over 100 separate, precisely controlled chemical reactions. Roche is currently manufacturing Fuzeon bulk drug substance on a commercial scale, and Roche and another third party are producing the finished drug product on a commercial scale. However, as a result of this complex manufacturing process, Roche or the other third party may encounter unexpected difficulties or expense in manufacturing Fuzeon in the future.

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In addition, if sales of Fuzeon do not increase, Roche could be forced to scale back manufacturing at the Boulder facility to levels that are less than optimal. Diminished sales of Fuzeon will not allow us to achieve the economies of scale that keep our costs of goods low. Any increase in costs of goods would, in turn, decrease our gross margin and would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock.

We do not control the manufacturing and production schedule at Roche’s Boulder facility where Fuzeon is manufactured and that we cannot ensure that significant costs associated with scheduling decisions will not be incurred.

Roche manufactures Fuzeon bulk drug substance at their facility in Boulder, Colorado. Roche coordinates the manufacture of Fuzeon with the balance of its manufacturing efforts. We do not have input into the manufacturing and production schedule at Roche, Boulder and Roche’s decisions in this area may result in significant additional cost and expense relating to the manufacture of Fuzeon.

We are currently in the process of finalizing an amendment to our collaboration agreement with Roche that addresses several significant payments we have made and will make in the future and we cannot guarantee that these negotiations will lead to a final agreement.

We have been in discussions with Roche to attempt to clarify the responsibility of each of the parties with respect to certain expenses under our collaboration agreement. In the event that a final understanding regarding these items is not reached we could be exposed to significant financial risk and expense that we had previously not expected to be responsible for. This would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the market price of our stock.

If Roche does not re-new our current research agreement to discover, develop and commercialize novel fusion inhibitors, we may not be able to proceed with the development of our most promising candidates.

We have entered into an agreement with Roche to discover, develop and commercialize novel fusion inhibitors. This research agreement covers several of our most promising potential drug candidates. If Roche chooses not to re-new this agreement after 2005 when it expires, we may not be able to proceed with the development and/or commercialization of these candidates due to both funding and intellectual property limitations.

We may not be able to effectively develop our drug pipeline.

The antiviral peptides and small molecules in our research programs will require extensive additional development, testing and investment, as well as regulatory approvals, prior to commercialization. Our product research and development efforts may not be successful. Our drug candidates may not enter preclinical, nonclinical or clinical studies as or when anticipated or receive the required regulatory approvals. Moreover, our products, if introduced, may not be commercially successful. The results of preclinical and initial clinical trials of products under development by us are not necessarily predictive of results that will be obtained from large-scale clinical testing. Clinical trials of products under development may not demonstrate the safety and efficacy of such products or result in a marketable product. Findings in nonclinical studies conducted concurrently with clinical studies could adversely impact the development of our products. In addition, the administration, alone or in combination with other drugs, of any product developed by us may produce undesirable side effects in humans.

The failure to demonstrate adequately the safety and efficacy of a therapeutic drug under development could delay or prevent regulatory approval of the product and could have a material adverse effect on us.

We face intense competition in our efforts to develop commercially successful drugs in the biopharmaceutical industry. If we are unable to compete successfully, our business will suffer.

We are engaged in sectors of the biopharmaceutical industry, including the treatment of HIV, that are intensely competitive and change rapidly. We expect that new developments by other companies and academic institutions in the areas in which we are conducting our research and development will continue at a rapid pace.

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Fuzeon and our other drug candidates that are successfully developed will compete with numerous existing therapies, as well as a significant number of drugs that are currently under development and will become available in the future for the treatment of HIV. For example:

We expect to face intense and increasing competition in the future as these new drugs enter the market and advanced technologies become available. We cannot assure you that existing or new drugs for the treatment of HIV developed by our competitors will not be more effective, less expensive or more effectively marketed and sold than Fuzeon or any other drug treatment that we may develop.

Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, human and other resources than we do. Smaller companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Furthermore, academic institutions, governmental agencies and other public and private research organizations are becoming increasingly aware of the value of their inventions for the treatment of HIV and are more actively seeking to commercialize the technology they have developed.

We may not receive all necessary regulatory approvals for future drug candidates or approvals may be delayed.

Our research and development activities and the testing, development, manufacturing and commercialization of any future drug candidates is subject to regulation by numerous governmental authorities in the United States and, to the extent that we may be engaged in activities outside of the United States, in other countries. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act and other domestic and foreign statutes and regulations govern or affect the testing, manufacture, safety, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and promotion of substances such as our drug candidates, as well as safe working conditions and the experimental use of animals. If our future drug candidates receive the regulatory approvals necessary for commercialization, we will be subject to continuing regulatory obligations, such as the submission of safety reports and other post-market information. Noncompliance with any applicable regulatory requirements can result in refusal of the government to approve product license applications, criminal prosecution and fines, recall or seizure of drugs, total or partial suspension of production, prohibitions or limitations on the commercial sale of drugs or refusal to allow us to enter into supply contracts. The FDA also has the authority to revoke product licenses and establishment licenses that it has previously granted.

A number of reasons, including those set forth below, may delay regulatory submissions for our drug candidates, cause us or our collaborators to cancel plans to submit proposed drug candidates for approval, or delay or prevent regulatory approval of proposed drug candidates:

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HIV is likely to develop resistance to Fuzeon and any of our future drug candidates, which could adversely affect demand for those drug candidates and harm our competitive position.

HIV is prone to genetic mutations that can produce viral strains resistant to particular drug treatments. HIV has developed resistance, in varying degrees, to each of the currently approved anti-HIV drug treatments, including Fuzeon. As a result, combination therapy, or the prescribed use of three or more anti-HIV drugs, has become the preferred method of treatment for HIV-infected patients, because in combination these drugs may prove effective against strains of HIV that have become resistant to one or more drugs in the combination. In the clinical trials we have conducted to date, HIV has demonstrated the ability to develop resistance to Fuzeon, as it has with respect to all other currently-marketed anti-HIV drugs. If HIV, in a wide patient population, in a short time period, develops resistance to Fuzeon or our other drug candidates when used in combination therapy, it would adversely affect demand for those drug candidates and harm our competitive position.

Our business is based on a novel technology called fusion inhibition, and unexpected side effects or other characteristics of this technology may delay or otherwise adversely affect the development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization of our drug candidates.

The technology platform underlying our drug development program is novel because it is designed to discover drug candidates that treat viral infection by preventing the virus from fusing to and entering host cells that viruses use to reproduce themselves. Historically, anti-HIV therapy has primarily involved the inhibition of specific viral enzymes that are necessary for HIV to replicate. We are not aware of any other approved anti-HIV pharmaceutical products that target the inhibition of viral fusion. As a result, existing preclinical and clinical data on the safety and efficacy of this technology are somewhat limited. Although the most common adverse side effect reported with respect to Fuzeon to date has been mild to moderate local skin irritations at the site of injection, we may discover other unacceptable side effects of our drug candidates, including side effects that may only become apparent after long-term exposure. We may also encounter technological challenges relating to these technologies and applications in our research and development programs that we may not be able to resolve. Any such unexpected side effects or technological challenges may delay or otherwise adversely affect the development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization of our drug candidates.

We are dependent on the successful outcome of clinical trials for our drug candidates.

The FDA granted full approval for the commercial sale of Fuzeon in October 2004. We do not have any other drug candidates that have received FDA or any other regulatory authority for approval of commercialization. In order to obtain the regulatory approvals necessary to sell a drug candidate commercially, we must demonstrate to the FDA and other applicable United States and foreign regulatory authorities that the drug candidate is safe and effective for use in humans for each target indication. We attempt to demonstrate this through a lengthy and complex process of preclinical testing and clinical trials, which typically takes a number of years. We also plan to do post-approval clinical trials for Fuzeon to provide additional clinical data to aid Roche and our marketing efforts. Our success will depend on the success of these clinical trials.

We cannot assure you that the results of prior clinical trials will warrant further clinical trials or the submission of NDAs for any potential drug candidates. We may not be able to demonstrate that potential drug candidates that appeared promising in preclinical testing and early clinical trials will be safe or effective in advanced clinical trials that involve larger numbers of patients studied over longer durations. We may be required to redesign, delay or cancel our preclinical testing and clinical trials for some or all of the following reasons, any of which may adversely affect our results of operations:

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Given the uncertainty surrounding the clinical trial process, we may not be able to successfully develop, commercialize and market Fuzeon or any of our other drug candidates, which would severely harm our business, impair our ability to generate revenues and adversely affect our stock price.

Obtaining regulatory approvals and maintaining compliance with government regulations will entail significant costs that could harm our ability to achieve profitability.

Due to uncertainties inherent in the clinical development and government regulatory approval process, we may underestimate the cost and/or length of time associated with the development and commercialization of our drug candidates. We will be required to expend significant resources to comply with regulations affecting research and development, testing, manufacturing, marketing and commercialization activities for our drug candidates. We do not separately track as an accounting item the amounts we spend to comply with regulatory requirements, but the majority of our activities and expenditures to date, including our preclinical and clinical trial activities and expenditures, have been undertaken directly or indirectly in order to comply with applicable governmental regulations. If compliance with these regulations proves more costly than anticipated, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Failure to raise additional capital necessary to support our development programs and expand our operations could lower our revenues and reduce our ability to compete.

We have incurred significant costs as a result of research and development, clinical trials, and the preparation and submission of the Fuzeon NDA to the FDA. We have continued to incur significant expenditures related to the manufacture, sale and marketing of Fuzeon. Under the current operating environment, excluding any extraordinary items, based on current sales levels of Fuzeon, we expect that our existing capital resources, together with the interest earned thereon, will be adequate to fund our current programs for at least the next 24 months. However, any reduction in Fuzeon sales below current levels or increase in expenditures beyond currently expected levels would increase our capital requirements substantially beyond our current expectations. In the event Roche becomes unable or unwilling to share future development expenses for Fuzeon or other compounds covered by our agreements, our capital requirements would increase substantially beyond our current expectations. We have an ongoing program of business development which may lead to the establishment of collaborative or licensing arrangements with third parties. In the event we enter into additional agreements with third parties, our expenditures may be increased.

We have financed our activities primarily through public offerings and private placements of our common stock, and we expect to continue to rely primarily on sales of our equity securities if we are required to raise additional funds in the future. Our access to capital could be limited if we do not achieve continued progress in our research and development programs, preclinical testing and clinical trials, and regulatory approvals for our product candidates. If we fail to meet the clinical and financial expectations of securities analysts and investors, it could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common stock and restrict or eliminate our ability to raise additional funds by selling equity. We also could be limited by overall market conditions. The public capital markets in which our common stock trades have been extremely volatile. Our failure to raise additional funds or to generate sufficient revenues to support our operations would seriously harm our business.

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If we cannot maintain commercial manufacturing arrangements with third parties on acceptable terms, or if these third parties do not perform as agreed, the commercial development of our drug candidates could be delayed or otherwise materially and adversely affected.

We do not have any manufacturing experience, nor do we have any manufacturing facilities. We and Roche have selected Roche’s facility in Boulder, Colorado to manufacture commercial quantities of the bulk drug substance of Fuzeon. We and Roche have selected one of Roche’s manufacturing facilities and another third party to produce the finished drug product from such bulk drug substance through a process involving lyophilization, or freeze-drying. The manufacture of pharmaceutical products requires significant expertise and capital investment. Moreover, under our agreement with Roche, we are required to reimburse a portion of the expenses incurred by Roche in connection with its manufacture of Fuzeon. Third-party manufacturers of pharmaceutical products often encounter difficulties in scaling up production, including problems involving production yields, quality control and assurance, shortage of qualified personnel, compliance with FDA regulations, production costs, and development of advanced manufacturing techniques and process controls. Our third-party manufacturers, including Roche, may not perform as agreed or may not remain in the contract manufacturing business for the time required to successfully produce and market Fuzeon and our other drug candidates. The number of third-party manufacturers with the expertise and facilities to manufacture bulk drug substance of Fuzeon on a commercial scale is extremely limited. In addition, only a limited number of third-party manufacturers have the capability to produce a finished drug product on a commercial scale through a process involving lyophilization.

Roche’s facility in Boulder, Colorado is the only facility manufacturing Fuzeon bulk drug substance. In the event the intended manufacturing plan generates insufficient supplies of Fuzeon, or the Boulder facility ceases operation for any reason, we do not have an alternate manufacturing plan in place at this time, and it would take a significant amount of time to arrange for alternative manufacturers. We do not have insurance to cover any shortages or other problems in the manufacturing of Fuzeon or our other drug candidates. If our third-party manufacturers, including Roche, fail to deliver the required commercial quantities of bulk drug substance or finished drug product on a timely basis and at commercially reasonable prices, and we fail to promptly find one or more replacement manufacturers or develop our own manufacturing capabilities at a substantially equivalent cost and on a timely basis, the commercial development of Fuzeon or our other drug candidates could be delayed or otherwise materially and adversely affected. Dependence upon third parties for the manufacture of Fuzeon or our other drug candidates may harm our ability to develop and deliver products on a timely and competitive basis.

If Roche or our manufacturing partners do not maintain good manufacturing practices, it could negatively impact our ability to obtain regulatory approvals and commercialize our drug candidates.

The FDA and other regulatory authorities must approve the facilities that will be used to manufacture commercial quantities of our drug candidates before commencement of commercial sales. In addition, these authorities require that our products be manufactured according to good manufacturing practice regulations. The failure by us, Roche or other third- party manufacturers to maintain current good manufacturing practices compliance and/or our failure to increase our manufacturing processes as needed to meet demand for our drugs could lead to refusal by the FDA to approve marketing applications. Failure in either respect could also be the basis for action by the FDA to withdraw approvals previously granted and for other regulatory action.

In addition, if we change the source or location of supply or modify the manufacturing process with respect to Fuzeon or any of our other drug candidates, regulatory authorities will require us to demonstrate that the product produced by the new source or location or from the modified process is equivalent to the product used in any clinical trials we have conducted. If we are unable to demonstrate this equivalence, we will be unable to manufacture products from the new source or location of supply or use the modified process. As a result, we may incur substantial expenses in order to ensure equivalence, and our ability to generate revenues may be harmed.

Our internal research programs and our efforts to obtain rights to new products from third parties may not yield potential products for clinical development, which would adversely affect any future revenues.

Our long-term success depends in part on our ability to either identify through internal research programs, or to obtain through licenses from third parties, potential drug candidates that may be developed into new pharmaceutical

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products. A significant portion of the research that we have conducted and will conduct involves new and unproven technologies. Research programs to identify drug candidates require substantial technical, financial and human resources, whether or not such programs identify any drug candidates. Our research programs may fail to yield drug candidates for clinical development for a number of reasons, including:

We may be unable to obtain suitable drug candidates or products from third parties for a number of reasons, including:

If we are unable to develop suitable potential drug candidates through internal research programs or by obtaining rights to new products from third parties, our future revenue growth will suffer.

We depend on patents and proprietary rights, which may offer only limited exclusive protection and do not protect against infringement. If we are unable to protect our patents and proprietary rights, our assets and business could be materially harmed.

Our success depends in part on our ability and the ability of our collaborators and licensors to obtain, maintain and enforce patents and other proprietary rights for our drugs and technologies. Patent law relating to the scope of claims in the biotechnology field in which we operate is still evolving and involves a great deal of uncertainty.

Although we own or exclusively license more than 35 issued United States patents, and numerous pending United States patent applications, corresponding foreign patents and patent applications, including issued patents and patent applications relating to Fuzeon, the issuance of a patent is not conclusive as to its validity or enforceability, and third parties may challenge the validity or enforceability of our patents. We cannot assure you how much protection, if any, our patents will provide if we attempt to enforce them and/or if the patents are challenged in court or in other proceedings. It is possible that a competitor may successfully challenge our patents or that challenges will result in limitations of their coverage. In addition, the cost of litigation to uphold the validity of patents can be substantial. If we are unsuccessful in such litigation, third parties may be able to use our patented technologies without paying licensing fees or royalties to us. Further, we cannot assure you that our pending patent applications will result in issued patents. Because U.S. patent applications may be maintained in secrecy until a patent issues or is otherwise published, we cannot assure you that others have not filed patent applications for technology covered by our pending applications. Moreover, we cannot assure you that we were the first to invent the technology, which, under U.S. patent law, is a prerequisite to obtaining patent coverage. In the event that a third party has also filed a U.S. patent application on the technology, we may have to participate in interference proceedings declared by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to determine priority of invention, i.e., which party was the first to invent. The costs of these proceedings can be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful, resulting in a loss of our U.S. patent position.

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Moreover, competitors may infringe our patents or successfully avoid them through design innovation. To prevent infringement or unauthorized use, we may need to file infringement claims. Such proceedings are expensive and time-consuming. In addition, in an infringement proceeding, a court may decide that a patent of ours is not valid or enforceable or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that its technology is not covered by our patents. Policing unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to prevent infringement or misappropriation of our proprietary rights, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect such rights as fully as in the United States.

Recently, several generic drug-makers in countries such as India have offered to sell HIV drugs currently protected under United States patents to patients in Africa at prices significantly below those offered by the drugs’ patent holders in other countries. There is a risk that these drugs produced by the generic drug-makers could be illegally made or imported into the United States and other countries at prices below those charged by the drugs’ patent holders. If any of these actions occur with respect to our drugs, it could limit the amount we could charge for our drugs.

In addition to our patented technology, we also rely on unpatented technology, trade secrets and confidential information. We may not be able to effectively protect our rights to this technology or information. Other parties may independently develop substantially equivalent information and techniques or otherwise gain access to or disclose our technology. We require each of our employees, consultants and corporate partners to execute a confidentiality agreement at the commencement of an employment, consulting or collaborative relationship with us. However, these agreements may not provide effective protection of our technology or information or, in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure, they may not provide adequate remedies.

The occurrence of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and market price of our stock.

The intellectual property of our competitors or other third parties may prevent us from developing or commercializing our drug candidates.

Other companies, universities and research institutions conduct research and development efforts in market segments, including viral fusion inhibition and the treatment of HIV infection, where we and our collaborators focus research and development activities. While we are not aware of any patents held by these third parties that we believe will limit our ability to use, manufacture, market or sell Fuzeon or our potential drug candidates, these third parties may have obtained or may obtain patents that do so. We cannot assure you that third parties will not assert patent infringement or other intellectual property claims against us or our collaborators with respect to technologies used in Fuzeon or our potential drug candidates. Any claims that might be brought against us relating to infringement of third party patents may cause us to incur significant expenses and, if successfully asserted against us, may cause us to pay substantial damages. Even if we were to prevail, any litigation could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our drug development and commercialization efforts or other business operations. As a result of a patent infringement suit brought against us, we may have to cease or delay development activities, unless that party is willing to grant us rights to use its intellectual property. Thus we may have to obtain licenses from other parties before we could continue using, manufacturing, marketing or selling our potential drugs. Those licenses may not be available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. If we do not obtain required licenses, we may not be able to market our potential drugs at all or we may encounter significant delays in drug development while we redesign potentially infringing drugs or methods.

Uncertainty relating to third-party reimbursement and health care reform measures could limit the amount we will be able to charge for our drugs and adversely affect our results of operations.

In the United States and elsewhere, sales of prescription drugs depend, in part, on the consumer’s ability to obtain reimbursement for the cost of the drugs from third-party payors, such as private and government insurance programs. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the prices charged for medical products and services in an effort to promote cost containment measures and alternative health care delivery systems. Because of the high cost of the treatment of HIV, many state legislatures are also reassessing reimbursement policies for this therapy. If third-party payor reimbursements for Fuzeon or any of our other drug candidates that we commercialize are not available or are not available at a level that will allow us or our current or future collaborative partners to sell these drugs on a

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competitive basis, our results of operations will be materially and adversely affected. In addition, emphasis in the United States on the reduction of the overall costs of health care through managed care has increased and will continue to increase the pressure to reduce the prices of pharmaceutical products. The announcement and/or adoption of these types of proposals or efforts could also materially and adversely affect our business, because the amount of revenue that we may potentially be able to generate in the future for Fuzeon or any of our other drug candidates could affect an investor’s decision to invest in us, the amount of funds we decide to spend now on our development and clinical trial efforts, and/or our decision to seek regulatory approval for certain drug candidates.

The WAC of a one year’s supply of Fuzeon in the United States is approximately $21,000. This price is significantly higher than any of the other approved anti-HIV drugs. Higher prices could also limit our ability to receive reimbursement coverage for our drugs from third-party payors, such as private or government insurance programs. If Roche is unable to obtain and maintain reimbursement from a significant number of third-party payors, it would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Roche has made significant progress in achieving reimbursement from the various payors in the United States. Currently Fuzeon is covered by Medicaid in all 50 states, 34 of the state and territorial AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, or ADAPs, and a majority of private insurers. However there are reimbursement challenges remaining. Some of the payors require patients to meet minimum medical requirements, such as CD4 cell levels, to receive reimbursement. Other payors limit the number of patients that they will provide reimbursement for Fuzeon. And other payors may require co-payments by the patient in order to receive reimbursement for Fuzeon that are significantly higher than those required for other anti-HIV drugs. We and Roche will continue to actively address these issues during 2005.

Several major pharmaceutical companies have offered to sell their anti-HIV drugs at or below cost to certain countries in Africa, which could adversely affect the reimbursement climate, and the prices that may be charged, for HIV medications in the United States and the rest of the world. Third-party payors could exert pressure for price reductions in the United States and the rest of the world based on these offers to Africa. This price pressure could limit the amount that we would be able to charge for our drugs.

If an accident or injury involving hazardous materials occurs, we could incur fines or liability, which could materially and adversely affect our business and our reputation.

In our drug development programs, we use hazardous materials that are subject to government regulations, including chemicals, radioactive compounds and infectious disease agents, such as viruses and HIV-infected blood. We believe that our handling and disposal of these materials comply with the standards prescribed by state and federal regulations, but we cannot completely eliminate the risk of contamination or injury from these materials. If we fail to comply with these regulations or if a contamination, injury or other accident occurs in connection with our development activities, we could be held liable for any damages or penalized with fines. Although our general liability insurance coverage may cover some of these liabilities, the amount of the liability and fines could exceed our resources. We currently maintain general liability insurance coverage in the amount of approximately $1 million per occurrence and $2 million in the aggregate. However, insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive and we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against potential liabilities.

If the testing or use of our drug candidates harms people, we could face costly and damaging product liability claims far in excess of our liability and indemnification coverage.

Our business exposes us to potential product liability risks that are inherent in the testing, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products, such as undesirable side effects or injury during clinical trials. In addition, the use in our clinical trials of drugs that we or our potential collaborators may develop and the subsequent sale of these drugs by us or our potential collaborators may expose us to liability risks relating to these drugs.

We have obtained an advanced medical technology policy which includes limited product liability insurance coverage for our clinical trials in the amount of $10 million per occurrence and $10 million in the aggregate. However, insurance coverage is becoming increasingly expensive and we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a

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reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against potential liabilities. We intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of commercial products if we obtain marketing approval for drug candidates in development, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain or maintain adequate product liability insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, or that such insurance will provide adequate coverage against our potential liabilities. Furthermore, our collaborators or licensees may not be willing to indemnify us against these types of liabilities and may not themselves be sufficiently insured or have a net worth sufficient to satisfy any product liability claims. Claims or losses in excess of any product liability insurance coverage or indemnification payments that may be obtained by us could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Our quarterly operating results are subject to fluctuations. If our operating results for a particular period deviate from the levels expected by securities analysts and investors, it could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our operating results are likely to fluctuate over time, due to a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. Some of these factors include:

As a result, we believe that comparing our results of operations for one period against another period is not necessarily meaningful, and you should not rely on our results of operations in prior periods as an indication of our future performance. If our results of operations for a period deviate from the levels expected by securities analysts and investors, it could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

If we lose any of our executive management or other key employees, we will have difficulty replacing them. If we cannot attract and retain qualified personnel on acceptable terms, the development of our drug candidates and our financial position may suffer.

Because our business is very science-oriented and relies considerably on individual skill and experience in the research, development and testing of our drug candidates, we depend heavily on members of our senior management and scientific staff. We have entered into employment agreements with Steven D. Skolsky, our Chief Executive Officer, Dani Bolognesi, our Chief Scientific Officer and Robert R. Bonczek, our Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel. Each of these agreements is automatically renewed, subject to termination by either of the parties. We have entered into employment agreements with all employees that are at the level of Vice President or above. These agreements have a term of one year and are renewable at the Company’s option.

Future recruitment and retention of management personnel and qualified scientific personnel is also critical to our success. We cannot assure you that we will successfully attract and retain sufficient numbers of qualified personnel on acceptable terms given the competition among biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health care companies, universities and non-profit research institutions for experienced management personnel and scientists. If we cannot attract and retain a sufficient number of qualified personnel or if a significant number of our key employees depart, our drug development efforts and the timing and success of our clinical trials may be materially and adversely affected. Even if we do hire and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, the expense necessary to compensate them may

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adversely affect our operating results. In addition, we rely on scientific advisors and other consultants to assist us in formulating our research and development strategy. These consultants are employed by other parties and may have commitments to, or advisory or consulting agreements with, other entities, which may limit their availability to us.

Our charter requires us to indemnify our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by law, which obligates us to make substantial payments and to incur significant insurance-related expenses.

Our charter requires that we indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware corporate law. This could require us, with some legally prescribed exceptions, to indemnify our directors and officers against any and all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts reasonably paid in defense or settlement of an action, suit or proceeding brought against any of them by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Trimeris. In addition, expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending any such action, suit or proceeding must be paid by us in advance of the final disposition of that action, suit or proceeding if we receive an undertaking by the director or officer to repay us if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified. We have also entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. In furtherance of these obligations, we maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance in the amount of $40 million. Our policies expire in October 2005. For future renewals, if we are able to retain coverage, we may be required to pay a higher premium for our directors’ and officers’ insurance than in the past and/or the amount of our insurance coverage may be decreased.

Available Information

We maintain a website on the World Wide Web at www.trimeris.com. We make available, free of charge, on our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC are also available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

We lease approximately 61,000 square feet of laboratory and office space at 3500 Paramount Parkway, Morrisville, North Carolina. We lease this space under a sublease agreement that expires on January 23, 2015. We also lease approximately 29,000 square feet of laboratory and office space in Durham under a lease agreement that expires on September 30, 2005. We also sublease approximately 18,000 square feet of laboratory and office space in Durham under a sublease agreement that expires on July 31, 2005. We believe that there will be suitable facilities available should additional space be needed.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not a party to any material legal proceedings as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2004.

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PART II.

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock has traded on the Nasdaq National Market System under the Nasdaq symbol “TRMS” since our initial public offering at $12.00 per share was consummated on October 7, 1997. We have not paid cash dividends in the past and none are expected to be paid in the foreseeable future. As of March 7, 2005 we had approximately 124 shareholders of record, and believe we had approximately 11,000 beneficial shareholders. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock for the period indicated as reported on the Nasdaq National Market System. Such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices without mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

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ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

(in thousands, except per share data)

The selected financial data below is taken from the audited financial statements of the Company, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, or from audited financial statements not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Please read the financial statements and notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” while reading this selected financial data.

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Selected Quarterly Financial Data

(in thousands, except per share data)