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Exhibit 99
ViroPharma Incorporated Announces
Election of Dennis Purcell to Board of Directors
Exton, PA, July 6, 2000 -- ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq: VPHM) announced
today the election of Dennis Purcell to its board of directors. Mr. Purcell is
the senior managing partner of Perseus-Soros BioPharmaceutical Fund, LP, a
healthcare fund based in New York City that is dedicated to making private
equity investments in the life sciences industry.
Mr. Purcell has more than 10 years of industry experience. Prior to joining
Perseus-Soros BioPharmaceutical Fund, LP, Mr. Purcell was managing director of
life sciences investment banking at Chase H&Q (formerly Hambrecht & Quist),
where he was responsible for a majority of the company's financing, mergers and
acquisitions and other transactions for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and
medical products industries. He continues to serve as an advisor to Chase H&Q.
Previously, Mr. Purcell was a managing director at PaineWebber, Inc. During his
tenure, he was involved in the formation of research and development limited
partnerships, as well as financing transactions for several top tier
biotechnology companies.
"We are delighted to add a tremendous talent to ViroPharma's board of
directors," said Claude Nash, ViroPharma's president and chief executive
officer. "Dennis has contributed to the success of several leading health care
companies. His breadth of experience will help us as we continue to grow our
business."
ViroPharma Incorporated is committed to the commercialization, development and
discovery of antiviral pharmaceuticals. The Company is focused on drug
development and discovery activities for viral diseases, including viral
respiratory infection (VRI, a severe form of the common cold), viral meningitis,
hepatitis C and RSV disease.
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