AVIRON
S-1/A, 1996-07-22
BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS, (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES)
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<PAGE>
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 22, 1996
    
 
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-05209
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 3
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
    
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
                                     AVIRON
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                                            <C>
       CALIFORNIA                              2836                            77-0306986
     (State or other               (Primary Standard Industrial             (I.R.S. Employer
     jurisdiction of                Classification Code Number)           Identification No.)
    incorporation or
      organization)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
                           297 NORTH BERNARDO AVENUE
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (415) 919-6500
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
                            ------------------------
                             J. LEIGHTON READ, M.D.
                      CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                     AVIRON
                           297 NORTH BERNARDO AVENUE
                        MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA 94043
                                 (415) 919-6500
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
                            ------------------------
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
            ALAN C. MENDELSON, ESQ.                           ALAN K. AUSTIN, ESQ.
            ROBERT J. BRIGHAM, ESQ.                         ELIZABETH R. FLINT, ESQ.
    Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum                  ELIZABETH M. KURR, ESQ.
             Five Palo Alto Square                     Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati
              3000 El Camino Real                              650 Page Mill Road
          Palo Alto, California 94306                      Palo Alto, California 94304
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
                APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT.
                            ------------------------
 
    If  any of the Securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to  Rule 415 under the Securities Act  of
1933, check the following box.  / /
 
    If  this Form  is filed  to register  additional securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration statement  number  of  the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / /
 
    If  this Form  is a post-effective  amendment filed pursuant  to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act,  check the following box  and list the Securities  Act
registration  statement number  of the earlier  effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / /
 
    If delivery of the Prospectus is expected  to be made pursuant to Rule  434,
please check the following box.  / /
                            ------------------------
    THE  REGISTRANT HEREBY  AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON  SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A  FURTHER  AMENDMENT  THAT  SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT  SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN  ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933  OR UNTIL  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT SHALL  BECOME
EFFECTIVE  ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                             CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
 
                   PURSUANT TO ITEM 501(b) OF REGULATION S-K
                 SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF INFORMATION
                         REQUIRED BY ITEMS OF FORM S-1
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   ITEM NUMBER AND HEADING
             IN FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT                                 LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
- -------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                                 <C>
       1.  Forepart of the Registration Statement and Outside
            Front Cover Page of Prospectus...................  Outside Front Cover Page
       2.  Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
            Prospectus.......................................  Inside Front Cover Page
       3.  Summary Information; Risk Factors; and Ratio of
            Earnings to Fixed Charges........................  Inside Front Cover Page; Summary; Risk Factors
       4.  Use of Proceeds...................................  Use of Proceeds
       5.  Determination of Offering Price...................  Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting
       6.  Dilution..........................................  Dilution
       7.  Selling Security Holders..........................  Not Applicable
       8.  Plan of Distribution..............................  Outside Front Cover Page; Underwriting
       9.  Description of Securities to be Registered........  Summary; Capitalization; Description of Capital Stock
      10.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel............  Legal Matters; Experts
      11.  Information with Respect to the Registrant........  Outside Front and Inside Front Cover Pages; Summary;
                                                                Risk Factors; Dividend Policy; Capitalization; Selected
                                                                Financial Data; Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                                                                Financial Condition and Results of Operations;
                                                                Business; Management; Certain Transactions; Principal
                                                                Stockholders; Description of Capital Stock; Shares
                                                                Eligible for Future Sale; Financial Statements
      12.  Disclosure of Commission Position on
            Indemnification for Securities Act
            Liabilities......................................  Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INFORMATION   CONTAINED  HEREIN  IS  SUBJECT   TO  COMPLETION  OR  AMENDMENT.  A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT  RELATING TO  THESE SECURITIES  HAS BEEN  FILED WITH  THE
SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR  TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT  BECOMES
EFFECTIVE.  THIS  PROSPECTUS  SHALL  NOT  CONSTITUTE AN  OFFER  TO  SELL  OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE  SECURITIES
IN  ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,  SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 22, 1996
    
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
                                3,000,000 SHARES
                                  COMMON STOCK
    All of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby are being  issued
and  sold by Aviron  (the "Company"). Prior  to this offering  there has been no
public market for  the Common Stock  of the Company.  It is currently  estimated
that  the initial  public offering  price of  the Common  Stock will  be between
$11.00 and $13.00 per share. See "Underwriting" for a discussion of the  factors
considered in determining the initial public offering price.
 
    Concurrent with this offering, the Company intends to sell 333,333 shares of
its Common Stock to Sang-A Pharm. Co., Ltd. ("Sang-A") in a private placement at
the  initial public offering price pursuant to  an agreement entered into in May
1995, with the  number of  shares to  be sold  to Sang-A  (the "Sang-A  Shares")
subject  to adjustment under certain  conditions. See "Business -- Collaborative
Agreements" and "Underwriting."
 
                                ----------------
 
        THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
                    SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 7.
                                ---------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN  APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE  SECURITIES
     AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION NOR HAS
       THE COMMISSION  OR ANY  STATE  SECURITIES COMMISSION  PASSED  UPON
          THE   ACCURACY   OR   ADEQUACY  OF   THIS   PROSPECTUS.  ANY
             REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL  OFFENSE.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            UNDERWRITING
                                                          PRICE TO         DISCOUNTS AND        PROCEEDS TO
                                                           PUBLIC           COMMISSIONS         COMPANY (1)
<S>                                                  <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Per Share..........................................          $                   $                   $
Total (2)..........................................          $                   $                   $
</TABLE>
 
(1) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $600,000.
 
(2)  The Company has granted the Underwriters  a 30-day option to purchase up to
    an  additional   450,000   shares  of   Common   Stock,  solely   to   cover
    over-allotments,  if any. See "Underwriting." If such option is exercised in
    full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discounts and Commissions  and
    Proceeds to Company will be $      , $      and $      , respectively.
 
                                ----------------
 
    The Common Stock is offered by the Underwriters as stated herein, subject to
receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order in
whole  or in  part. It  is expected that  delivery of  such shares  will be made
through the offices of Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC ("Robertson, Stephens &
Company"), San Francisco, California on or about          , 1996.
 
ROBERTSON, STEPHENS & COMPANY
 
                            BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
 
                                                               HAMBRECHT & QUIST
 
                The date of this Prospectus is            , 1996
 
<PAGE>
          AVIRON USES BOTH ITS RATIONAL VACCINE DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND
                  CLASSICAL METHODS OF LIVE VACCINE DISCOVERY
 
                       RATIONAL VACCINE DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
 
                  [Virus particle containing genetic
                  information; three segments are highlighted
                  to correspond with methods of modifying the
                  virus' genetic information.]
 
  DELETE VIRULENCE                                  ADD GENETIC INFORMATION
  PROTEINS                                          Insert genes to enhance
  Remove genes for viral components                 the virus'
  thought to be important in disease                stimulation of the
  mechanism                                         immune system
 
  [Virus particle containing genetic                [Virus particle
  information; one segment of genetic               containing genetic
  information being removed.]                       information; one
                                                    segment of genetic
                                                    information being
                                                    added.]
 
                                 DOWN-REGULATE
                                  REPLICATION
                         Alter genetic information used
                  by the virus in controlling its replication
 
                  ["Tree" structure comprised of 15 dots
                  symbolizing virus replication; second
                  structure comprised of 3 dots symbolizing
                  virus' reduced ability to replicate.]
 
                               VACCINE CANDIDATES
 
SPECIES SELECTION          FOREIGN CELL               ADAPTION TO PHYSICAL
Strains originate from     PASSAGE                    CONDITIONS
non-human species          Human virus mutates as it  Human virus mutates as it
                           is propagated in cells     is propagated in cells
                           from non-human species     under unusual conditions,
                                                      e.g., cold temperature
 
[Graphic of a chicken and  [Graphic of cells (3)      [Petri dishes (2), each
a cow.]                    sequentially connected by  with a corresponding
                           arrows.]                   graphic representation of
                                                      a thermometer. One
                                                      thermometer shows a higher
                                                      temperature than the
                                                      other.]
 
                               CLASSICAL METHODS
 
                                ----------------
 
    IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR  EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE  COMPANY AT  A LEVEL ABOVE  THAT WHICH  MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL  IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY  BE EFFECTED ON THE  NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET.  SUCH
STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                                ----------------
 
    "Aviron"  is a  trademark of  the Company.  Certain other  trademarks of the
Company and other companies are used in this Prospectus.
<PAGE>
                         AVIRON'S PROPOSED NASAL SPRAY
                             VACCINE FOR INFLUENZA
 
                                 Genes from             Genes from cold
                            naturally-occurring          adapted master
                            influenza viruses as     influenza virus strain
                             selected by public
                             health authorities
 
[Silhouette of human      [Virus particle with box  [Virus particle with box
head with lines coming    around 2 of 8 segments    around 6 of 8 segments
from nasal area leading   of genetic information.   of genetic information.]
to virus particle to the  ------------------------
right.]                   Dashed lines connecting
                          to second virus particle
                          with box around 6 of 8
                          segments.]
 
                                                    [Virus particle
                                                    containing 8 segments of
                                                    genetic information; six
                                                    segments of the same
                                                    color, two segments of
                                                    different colors.]
 
                           AVIRON'S INFLUENZA VACCINE
                              COMBINES GENES FROM
                          NATURALLY OCCURRING VIRUSES
                            WITH GENES FROM THE COLD
                             ADAPTED MASTER STRAIN
 
             [Photograph of a human hand holding a device
             which is used to administer a vaccine in an
             aerosol spray (to the upper respitory
             tract-not shown). A spray effect is shown
             which serves as the backdrop for an image of
             a virus particle to the upper right.]
 
               THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF INFLUENZA IN THE COMMUNITY
 
 [Photo of five young      [Photo of one child from   [Photo of woman from
 children playing with     previous picture in bed    previous picture now in
 blocks in a pre-school    at home with mother at     an office setting with 5
 setting. Lines            bedside. Child is ill,     other adults. Lines
 symbolically show how a   and is shown with          symbolically show how the
 virus spreads from one    thermometer in mouth,      virus might spread to
 child to the next.]       mother touching forehead,  others in the room.]
                           tissues and medication
                           bottle by bedside. Mother
                           is on the telephone.
                           Lines symbolically show
                           virus spreading from
                           child to mother.]
 
AGE GROUP:                               Children 1-18
ESTIMATED INFLUENZA ATTACK RATE:         36 per 100
BURDEN OF ILLNESS:                       illness, doctor visits, middle ear
                                         infections, school absenteeism,
                                         parents' lost work
ESTIMATED UNITED STATES POPULATION:      69 million
AVIRON PRODUCT STATUS:                   Phase I/II studies conducted
 
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY'S COLD ADAPTED  NASAL SPRAY VACCINE  IS AN INVESTIGATIONAL  BIOLOGIC
AND  HAS  NOT  BEEN APPROVED  FOR  SALE IN  ANY  COUNTRY. THE  COMPANY  DOES NOT
ANTICIPATE APPLYING FOR REGULATORY APPROVAL TO MARKET THIS PROPOSED VACCINE  FOR
SEVERAL  YEARS, IF EVER, AND WILL  BE REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE CLINICAL
TRIALS TO DEMONSTRATE  ITS SAFETY AND  EFFICACY PRIOR TO  FILING FOR  REGULATORY
APPROVAL. SEE "RISK FACTORS."
 
                       IMMUNE RESPONSE TO INFLUENZA VACCINES
 
     [Silhouette of human head and torso   [Silhouette of human head and torso
     within which is visible the           within which is visible the
     circulatory system (red). The figure  circulatory system (red) and the
     is receiving an injection in the      upper respiratory tract (blue). The
     upper arm by syringe. The injected    figure is receiving an aerosol spray
     vaccine forms a small pool of liquid  directed into the nasal passages and
     at the site of injection.]            upper respiratory tract by nasal
                                           spray administration.]
 
     INJECTABLE INACTIVATED                NASAL SPRAY
     VACCINE                               VACCINE
 
     - Strongly stimulates                 - Stimulates mucosal
       circulating antibodies                immunity in
                                             respiratory tract
 
                                           - Stimulates cell-mediated
                                             immunity
 
                                           - Stimulates circulating
                                             antibodies
 
     [Photo of man from previous picture   [The elderly woman from the previous
     (presumably infected with the virus)  picture is shown ill in bed in a
     visiting with his elderly mother in   hospital setting. Some medical
     her home. He is kneeling beside a     equipment is visible to the left; a
     chair in which she is sitting and he  healthcare worker or nurse is at her
     is presenting her with a gift. A      bedside. She appears awake and
     line symbolically shows the virus     alert.]
     being passed between them.]
 
     Adults 19-65                         Elderly over 65
     16 per 100                           10 per 100
     illness, doctor visits, lost         illness, doctor visits,
     work                                 hospitalization, death
     159 million                          32 million
     Phase II studies conducted           Clinical trials planned for
                                          co-administration with
                                          injectable inactivated vaccine
<PAGE>
    NO  DEALER,  SALESPERSON OR  OTHER PERSON  HAS BEEN  AUTHORIZED TO  GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE  ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN  THOSE CONTAINED IN  THIS
PROSPECTUS  AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON  AS HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED BY THE  COMPANY OR THE  UNDERWRITERS.
THIS  PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY, ANY  SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE  REGISTERED SECURITIES TO WHICH  IT
RELATES  OR AN OFFER TO,  OR SOLICITATION OF, ANY  PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE  UNLAWFUL OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM  IT
IS  UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY OFFER OR SALE MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE  HAS
BEEN  NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE  COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS  CORRECT AS OF ANY  TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE  DATE
HEREOF.
 
    UNTIL               , 1996 (25 DAYS AFTER  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THE DISTRIBUTION,  MAY BE  REQUIRED TO  DELIVER A  PROSPECTUS. THIS  DELIVERY
REQUIREMENT  IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
WHEN ACTING  AS UNDERWRITERS  AND WITH  RESPECT TO  THEIR UNSOLD  ALLOTMENTS  OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
                              -------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Summary...................................................................     4
Risk Factors..............................................................     7
Use Of Proceeds...........................................................    19
Dividend Policy...........................................................    19
Capitalization............................................................    20
Dilution..................................................................    21
Selected Financial Data...................................................    22
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations...............................................................    23
Business..................................................................    27
Management................................................................    52
Certain Transactions......................................................    59
Principal Stockholders....................................................    61
Description Of Capital Stock..............................................    64
Shares Eligible For Future Sale...........................................    67
Underwriting..............................................................    69
Legal Matters.............................................................    70
Experts...................................................................    70
Additional Information....................................................    70
Index to Financial Statements.............................................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY
 
    THIS  PROSPECTUS CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES. THE COMPANY'S ACTUAL RESULTS  COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM  THOSE
ANTICIPATED  IN THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF CERTAIN FACTORS,
INCLUDING THOSE SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
    THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED IN  ITS ENTIRETY AND  SHOULD BE READ  IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, INCLUDING "RISK FACTORS" AND THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO, APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    Aviron  is  a  biopharmaceutical  company  whose  strategy  is  to  focus on
prevention of  disease.  The  Company's  goal  is to  become  a  leader  in  the
discovery,  development, manufacture and marketing  of live virus vaccines which
are sufficiently cost effective  to justify their  use in immunization  programs
targeting  the  general  population.  Live virus  vaccines,  such  as  those for
smallpox, polio, measles, mumps and rubella,  have had a long record of  success
in  preventing, and in some cases eliminating, disease. The Company currently is
analyzing data from Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in children and  adults
of  its  live cold  adapted intranasal  vaccine for  influenza. The  Company has
recently in-licensed a live  intranasal vaccine for  Parainfluenza Virus Type  3
("PIV-3")  which has been  tested by others  in Phase I/II  clinical trials. The
Company also is developing a subunit vaccine for Epstein-Barr Virus ("EBV").  In
addition,  Aviron is using its  proprietary "Rational Vaccine Design" technology
to discover  new  live virus  vaccines.  Rational Vaccine  Design  involves  the
deletion  or modification of  virulence proteins, changes  to the virus' genetic
control signals to  slow down  its replication,  or addition  of information  to
enhance  the virus'  stimulation of the  immune system. The  Company is applying
this technology to develop candidates for the prevention of influenza in elderly
persons and diseases  caused by  Cytomegalovirus ("CMV"),  Herpes Simplex  Virus
Type 2 ("HSV-2") and Respiratory Syncytial Virus ("RSV").
 
    Aviron's  age-specific influenza programs  address three distinct population
groups: children, adults  and the elderly.  Influenza affects 20  to 50  million
Americans each year resulting in approximately 20,000 deaths annually, primarily
in  the elderly, despite  the availability of  an injectable inactivated vaccine
that has been reported to  be 60% to 80% effective.  The United States Food  and
Drug Administration (the "FDA") estimates that approximately 75 million doses of
influenza  vaccine  were manufactured  for  use in  the  United States  in 1995.
Experts suggest  that,  although  over  half  of  Americans  at  high  risk  for
complications  from influenza  receive the annual  influenza vaccine, relatively
few of the 70 million children under the age of 18 are vaccinated.
 
    To address the need for  more convenient influenza prophylaxis, the  Company
has  in-licensed  the  rights  to  a cold  adapted  influenza  vaccine  from the
University of  Michigan and  the National  Institute of  Allergy and  Infectious
Disease  (the "NIAID"),  a division  of the  National Institutes  of Health (the
"NIH"). Formulations of this vaccine were tested in over 7,000 persons prior  to
Aviron's  acquisition  of the  vaccine, and  subsequently  have been  studied in
clinical trials conducted by the Company involving over 700 children and adults.
The cold adapted influenza vaccine elicits an immune response similar to that of
the natural  infection by  stimulating mucosal  immunity in  the nose,  cellular
components  of the immune  system and circulating  antibodies. Aviron intends to
develop the cold adapted influenza vaccine for widespread annual use in children
and adults, and  for co-administration with  the injectable inactivated  vaccine
for  improved protection  in the  elderly. In  addition, Aviron  is developing a
genetically engineered influenza vaccine that is intended to be a better  immune
stimulus  in the elderly than either the cold adapted vaccine or the inactivated
vaccine alone, and therefore more suitable  for use as a single-dose vaccine  in
this population.
 
    Aviron  also is  conducting research  and development  on additional vaccine
targets, including:
 
        PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS TYPE  3.   PIV-3 is  a common  respiratory virus  of
    childhood  which  causes  croup, cough,  fever  and pneumonia.  Over  80% of
    children have been  infected by  age four, many  having experienced  several
    cases of PIV-3 infection. The Company has in-licensed the rights to a bovine
    PIV-3  ("bPIV-3") vaccine  from the  NIH which has  been tested  in over 100
    infants and adults. Aviron intends to develop the bPIV-3 vaccine for use  in
    preventing childhood PIV-3 illness.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
        EPSTEIN-BARR  VIRUS.   EBV infects  most people  at some  point in their
    lifetime. Half or more of the approximately 10% of students who first become
    infected with  the  virus in  high  school and  college  develop  infectious
    mononucleosis.  EBV also has been  shown to be a  contributing factor in the
    development of  certain  types  of  cancer  and  lymphoma.  The  Company  is
    conducting  preclinical  evaluation of  a subunit  EBV vaccine  candidate in
    conjunction with SmithKline Beecham Biologicals S.A. ("SmithKline Beecham").
 
        CYTOMEGALOVIRUS.  Most people also become infected with CMV at some time
    in their lives,  but the  resulting disease  is typically  serious only  for
    those  with impaired immune systems  or for babies of  women infected in the
    first trimester of pregnancy. The  Company is developing and evaluating  its
    engineered vaccine candidates in preclinical models to create a prophylactic
    vaccine.
 
        HERPES  SIMPLEX VIRUS  TYPE 2.   Genital herpes is  an incurable disease
    characterized by recurrent, often painful  genital sores, with over  700,000
    new cases estimated in the United States each year. The Company currently is
    developing and evaluating vaccine candidates in preclinical models to create
    a prophylactic vaccine.
 
        RESPIRATORY   SYNCYTIAL  VIRUS.    RSV  is  the  major  cause  of  lower
    respiratory tract illness  in the  very young, responsible  for over  90,000
    hospitalizations  and more than 4,000 deaths  per year in the United States.
    Aviron is using its proprietary  technology to create candidate vaccines  to
    prevent RSV disease.
 
    Aviron  intends  to enter  into  selected collaborative  agreements  to gain
access to complementary technologies, capabilities and financial support for its
programs. In addition  to acquiring  rights from  third parties  to augment  its
Rational  Vaccine  Design  technology  and the  cold  adapted  influenza vaccine
technology,  the  Company  has  entered  into  a  collaborative  agreement  with
SmithKline  Beecham  covering  worldwide  rights  to  its  EBV  vaccine,  and  a
collaboration with Sang-A involving  certain marketing and manufacturing  rights
to its products in Korea.
 
    The  Company  was  incorporated  in  California  in  April  1992  as  Vector
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., changed its name to Aviron in February 1993, and  intends
to  reincorporate in Delaware in July  1996. The Company's executive offices are
located at 297 North Bernardo Avenue,  Mountain View, California 94043, and  its
telephone number is (415) 919-6500.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
Common Stock Offered by the Company..............................  3,000,000 shares
Common Stock Outstanding After the Offering......................  12,285,990 shares (1)
Use of Proceeds..................................................  For  research  and  development, including
                                                                   preclinical testing  and clinical  trials;
                                                                   capital  expenditures; and working capital
                                                                   and general corporate  purposes. See  "Use
                                                                   of Proceeds."
Proposed Nasdaq National Market Symbol...........................  AVIR
</TABLE>
 
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                     (in thousands, except per share data)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           FOR THE PERIOD FROM
                                             APRIL 15, 1992                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                           (DATE OF INCEPTION)         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                MARCH 31,
                                                   TO            ------------------------------------  ------------------------
                                            DECEMBER 31, 1992       1993         1994         1995        1995         1996
                                          ---------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                       <C>                    <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total revenues..........................        $      --          $      --    $      --   $   1,707    $ --         $     188
Operating expenses:
  Research and development..............              320              2,073        4,216      10,220        3,088        3,044
  General and administrative............              470              1,874        2,493       3,252          701        1,063
                                                    -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
    Total operating expenses............              790              3,947        6,709      13,472        3,789        4,107
                                                    -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Loss from operations....................             (790)            (3,947)      (6,709)    (11,765)      (3,789)      (3,919)
Interest income, net of interest
 expense................................               37                175          207         362           32          183
                                                    -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Net loss................................        $    (753)         $  (3,772)   $  (6,502)  $ (11,403)   $  (3,757)   $  (3,736)
                                                    -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                                    -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Pro forma net loss per share (2)........                                                    $   (1.24)                $   (0.41)
                                                                                           ----------               -----------
                                                                                           ----------               -----------
Shares used in computing pro forma net
 loss per share (2).....................                                                        9,183                     9,223
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           MARCH 31, 1996
                                                                                      -------------------------
                                                                                       ACTUAL    AS ADJUSTED(3)
                                                                                      ---------  --------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments...................................  $  14,494    $   51,374
Working capital.....................................................................     12,804        49,684
Total assets........................................................................     17,275        54,155
Accumulated deficit.................................................................    (26,192)      (26,192)
Total stockholders' equity..........................................................     14,167        51,047
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
(1)  Includes the estimated  333,333 shares intended  to be sold  to Sang-A in a
    private placement concurrent with this offering. Excludes (i) 643,480 shares
    of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of June  1,
    1996, at a weighted average exercise price of approximately $1.22 per share,
    (ii)  an  aggregate  of  1,556,520  shares  reserved  for  future  grants or
    purchases pursuant to  the Company's  1996 Equity  Incentive Plan,  Employee
    Stock  Purchase  Plan and  Non-Employee  Director Stock  Option  Plan, (iii)
    118,395 shares issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of June  1,
    1996  at a  weighted average  exercise price  of $6.65  per share,  and (iv)
    warrants to purchase 29,750 shares which become exercisable at the close  of
    the offering at 125% of the initial public offering price.
 
(2) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for an explanation of the method
    used  to determine the number of shares  used to compute pro forma per share
    amounts.
 
(3) As adjusted to give effect to  the sale of 3,000,000 shares of Common  Stock
    at  an assumed  initial public  offering price of  $12.00 per  share and the
    estimated 333,333  shares  intended  to  be sold  to  Sang-A  in  a  private
    placement  concurrent with  this offering,  and the  application of  the net
    proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and "Capitalization."
 
    UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED,  ALL INFORMATION IN  THIS PROSPECTUS REFLECTS  A
ONE-FOR-FIVE  REVERSE SPLIT OF  THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK  EFFECTED IN MAY 1996
AND ASSUMES  (I)  REINCORPORATION  OF  THE COMPANY  IN  DELAWARE  PRIOR  TO  THE
OFFERING,  (II) THE CONVERSION OF ALL  OUTSTANDING SHARES OF ITS PREFERRED STOCK
INTO SHARES OF COMMON STOCK UPON THE CLOSING  OF THIS OFFERING AT A RATE OF  ONE
SHARE  OF COMMON STOCK FOR FIVE SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK, AND (III) NO EXERCISE
OF THE UNDERWRITERS' OVER-ALLOTMENT OPTION.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    This  Prospectus contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results  could differ materially from  those
anticipated  in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including those set forth  in the following risk  factors and elsewhere in  this
Prospectus.
 
    The  following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the
Company and its business  before purchasing shares of  the Common Stock  offered
hereby.
 
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO CLINICAL TRIALS
 
    Before  obtaining required regulatory  approvals for the  commercial sale of
any of  its products  under development,  the Company  must demonstrate  through
preclinical  testing and clinical trials that each product is safe and effective
for use in  each target  indication. The  results from  preclinical testing  and
early  clinical  trials  may not  be  predictive  of results  obtained  in later
clinical trials  and  large-scale  testing.  Companies  in  the  pharmaceutical,
biopharmaceutical   and  biotechnology  industries   have  suffered  significant
setbacks in various stages of clinical trials, even in advanced clinical  trials
after  promising  results had  been obtained  in  earlier trials.  The Company's
vaccines are  intended  for use  primarily  in healthy  individuals.  To  obtain
regulatory approval, the Company must demonstrate safety and efficacy in healthy
people which likely will require a lengthier process and involve a larger number
of  trials  and  patients  than  would  be  customary  for  clinical  trials  of
therapeutics for  disease  management.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  the
Company's  clinical trials  will demonstrate  sufficient safety  and efficacy to
obtain the requisite regulatory approvals or will result in marketable products.
The Company recently completed  a Phase II challenge  study of its cold  adapted
influenza  vaccine in  adults. Preliminary analysis  of the  results indicated a
very low  level of  illness in  both the  placebo and  treated groups,  and  the
Company  believes that this study is  unlikely to show statistically significant
efficacy in preventing influenza. Regardless of  the results of this study,  the
Company  intends to discuss with the FDA  its plans to proceed directly to Phase
III clinical trials  in adults and  does not intend  to conduct other  challenge
studies.  However,  no assurance  can be  given  that the  FDA will  approve the
Company's protocol for Phase III clinical trials, that the Company will commence
clinical trials as planned, or that the FDA will not require additional Phase II
clinical trial data prior to commencing Phase III clinical trials. In  addition,
the  Company's clinical trial data to date suggest that a repeat or booster dose
may be required  in young children  due to  their lack of  previous exposure  to
influenza  viruses. If the Company's cold adapted influenza vaccine is not shown
to be safe and  effective in Aviron's clinical  trials, the resulting delays  in
developing  this and other vaccine candidates and conducting related preclinical
testing and clinical trials, as well as the need for additional financing, would
have a material adverse  effect on the  Company's business, financial  condition
and results of operations.
 
    The Company's cold adapted influenza vaccine is based on technology licensed
from   the  NIH  and  the  University  of  Michigan.  Wyeth-Ayerst  Laboratories
("Wyeth-Ayerst"), a  division of  American Home  Products Corporation,  licensed
certain  rights  to  the vaccine  in  1991 and  was  developing it  for  sale in
collaboration with the NIH until relinquishing its rights in 1993. In  addition,
Kaketsuken,  a  Japanese  research foundation  ("Kaketsuken"),  licensed certain
rights to the  vaccine in 1993  and was developing  it for sale  in Japan  until
relinquishing  such rights  in 1996. Formulations  of the vaccine  have been the
subject of a number of clinical  trials performed by Wyeth-Ayerst, the NIAID  of
the  NIH and Kaketsuken. The Company has reviewed the data from these trials and
believes that it can submit such data in partial support of its application  for
regulatory  approval  from the  FDA. The  Company did  not participate  in these
trials and cannot be confident in the accuracy of the data collected. Although a
large proportion of this data was positive, a number of trials included  results
that  were not. Very  few of the  trials involved a  trivalent vaccine delivered
through nasal spray. The Company will  need to perform additional trials of  its
vaccine  candidate  to support  its  application to  the  FDA. There  can  be no
assurance that the  data from  these third-party  trials is  accurate, that  the
Company  will be able to  obtain favorable results from  its own trials, or that
the Company  can  complete these  trials  on a  timely  basis, or  at  all.  See
"Business -- Influenza Clinical Trials."
 
    The  rate of completion of  the Company's clinical trials  may be delayed by
many factors. For example, delays may  be encountered in enrolling a  sufficient
number of patients fitting the appropriate trial profile, preparing the modified
vaccine strain for certain influenza seasons, or in manufacturing clinical trial
materials. The
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
Company's  late-stage clinical trials of its cold adapted influenza vaccine must
be conducted during the influenza season  and must be commenced early enough  in
the  approximately five-month season so that  subjects may be vaccinated well in
advance of a  challenge by the  wild-type virus. Additionally,  there is a  risk
that  there will  not be enough  natural influenza  in the community  in a given
influenza season  to achieve  statistically  significant results  from  clinical
trials. As a result, if the Company is unable to commence its clinical trials on
a  timely basis, it  will be required  to wait until  the next influenza season,
which will not occur for another year in that country. There can be no assurance
that delays in, or  termination of, clinical trials  will not occur. Any  delays
in,  or  termination  of, the  Company's  clinical  trial efforts  would  have a
material adverse  effect  on the  Company's  business, financial  condition  and
results of operations.
 
    There  can  be no  assurance  that Aviron  will  be permitted  by regulatory
authorities to  undertake  additional  clinical  trials  for  its  cold  adapted
influenza  vaccine or initiate clinical trials for its other programs or, if any
such trials are  conducted, that any  of the Company's  product candidates  will
prove  to  be  safe and  effective  or  will receive  regulatory  approvals. See
"Business -- Vaccine Products Under Development."
 
UNCERTAINTIES RELATED TO EARLY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT; TECHNOLOGICAL UNCERTAINTY
 
    Aviron commenced  its operations  in April  1992 and  until recently  was  a
development  stage company. All  of the Company's product  candidates are in the
research or development  stage. With  the exception of  two in-licensed  product
candidates,  none of the  Company's proposed products has  yet been approved for
clinical trials. To date, the Company has had no revenue from product sales  and
all  of its resources have been dedicated  to the development of vaccines. There
can be no assurance that product revenues will be realized on a timely basis, if
ever.
 
    The development of safe and effective  vaccines for the prevention of  viral
diseases  such as influenza, herpes simplex  and other target diseases is highly
uncertain and subject to  numerous risks. Potential products  that appear to  be
promising  at early stages of development may  not reach the market for a number
of reasons. Potential products  may be found ineffective  or cause harmful  side
effects during preclinical testing or clinical trials, fail to receive necessary
regulatory  approvals,  be  difficult  to  manufacture  on  a  large  scale,  be
uneconomical,  fail  to   achieve  market  acceptance   or  be  precluded   from
commercialization  by proprietary  rights of third  parties. Aviron  has not yet
requested or received the regulatory approvals  that are required to market  its
products. Aviron does not expect that any of its proposed products will be ready
for  commercialization  for  the  next  several years,  if  at  all.  To achieve
profitability, the Company,  alone or with  others, must successfully  identify,
develop,  test, manufacture and  market its products. There  can be no assurance
that Aviron will succeed  in the development and  marketing of any product.  Any
potential  product will require  significant additional investment, development,
preclinical testing and clinical trials  prior to potential regulatory  approval
and commercialization.
 
    The  Company's cold adapted influenza vaccine involves a complex development
process. If the Company were to  successfully develop an influenza vaccine,  its
composition  would require  annual modification.  Influenza viruses  have a high
mutation rate  and  the  surface  antigens  of  influenza  viruses  that  induce
protective immunity are variable from year to year. Each spring, the FDA and the
United  States Centers  for Disease  Control and  Prevention (the  "CDC") select
circulating influenza strains that  will be included  in the following  season's
influenza  vaccines. As  a result, manufacturers  of vaccines  must modify their
influenza vaccines each  year to  include the selected  strains in  a form  that
meets  FDA guidelines within an approximately  six-month period in order to make
it available  before the  influenza season.  On one  occasion in  the past,  the
Company  experienced difficulty in preparing modified vaccine strains in time to
conduct clinical trials during the influenza season. Even if the Company is able
to develop an influenza vaccine for a particular year, it must also establish  a
dependable  process by which the  vaccine may be modified  and manufactured on a
timely basis to include additional strains each year. If the Company were unable
to develop an influenza  vaccine for a  particular year that  meets FDA and  CDC
guidelines  and establish a manufacturing process for the vaccine, its business,
financial condition  and results  of operations  would be  materially  adversely
affected. No assurance can be given that delays in preparing vaccines for use in
clinical  trials or commercial sales will not be encountered. In addition, there
can be no assurance that the  Company's development efforts will be  successful,
that required
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
regulatory  approvals, including those with  respect to Investigational New Drug
("IND") applications, will be obtained or that any products, if introduced, will
be successfully marketed. See "Business -- Vaccine Products Under Development."
 
NEED FOR FUTURE FUNDING; UNCERTAINTY OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL
 
    The Company's operations  to date have  consumed substantial and  increasing
amounts  of cash. The negative cash flow from operations is expected to continue
and to accelerate in  the foreseeable future. The  development of the  Company's
technology  and proposed products will require a commitment of substantial funds
to conduct  the  costly and  time-consuming  research, preclinical  testing  and
clinical  trials necessary to develop and  optimize such technology and proposed
products, to establish manufacturing and marketing capabilities and to bring any
such products to market. The  Company's future capital requirements will  depend
upon  many factors, including continued scientific  progress in the research and
development of  the Company's  technology  and vaccine  programs, the  size  and
complexity  of  these programs,  the  ability of  the  Company to  establish and
maintain collaborative  arrangements,  progress  with  preclinical  testing  and
clinical  trials, the time and costs involved in obtaining regulatory approvals,
the cost involved in preparing,  filing, prosecuting, maintaining and  enforcing
patent claims or trade secrets, and product commercialization activities.
 
    The  Company anticipates that the proceeds of  this offering and the sale of
the Sang-A  Shares,  together  with  the interest  thereon,  and  revenues  from
existing  collaborations, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will
enable it to maintain its current and planned operations at least through  1997.
The  Company  is  actively  seeking  additional  collaborative  agreements  with
corporate partners and  may seek  additional funding through  public or  private
equity  or  debt  financing.  There  can be  no  assurance  that  any additional
collaborative agreements will be entered into or that additional financing  will
be  available on acceptable terms, if at  all. If additional funds are raised by
issuing equity  securities,  further dilution  to  stockholders may  result.  If
adequate  funds are not available, the Company  may be required to delay, reduce
the scope of, or eliminate one or  more of its research or development  programs
or  to  obtain funds  through collaborative  arrangements  with others  that may
require the Company to relinquish rights to certain of its technologies, product
candidates or  products that  the Company  would otherwise  seek to  develop  or
commercialize  itself. See  "Management's Discussion  and Analysis  of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
 
LITIGATION WITH CHIRON CORPORATION
 
    On July 1, 1996, Chiron Corporation ("Chiron") filed a complaint against the
Company in San Mateo County,  California, Superior Court, alleging that  certain
of  Aviron's patent applications relating to its EBV program are based on Chiron
proprietary information  which was  improperly conveyed  to Aviron  by a  former
Chiron  employee, and  that the Company  has engaged in  unfair competition. The
complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and seeks to impose a  constructive
trust, for Chiron's benefit, over the affected patent applications, an exclusive
assignment  by  the  Company  to  Chiron  of  such  patent  applications  and an
injunction against the Company from  disclosing, using or applying such  alleged
proprietary  information.  Aviron believes  that the  allegations in  the Chiron
complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against such
action. Aviron does not  utilize the alleged  Chiron proprietary information  in
any  of its potential products currently  under development. Even if Chiron were
to prevail in  this action, the  Company believes  that it is  uncertain that  a
court  would grant a constructive trust  over the specified patent applications,
which include  many claims  (including certain  rights the  Company licensed  to
SmithKline  Beecham) not relating to  the alleged Chiron proprietary technology.
Were a court  to grant a  constructive trust over  such patent applications,  it
could  adversely impact the  Company's agreement with  SmithKline Beecham. There
can be no assurance that  Chiron will not ultimately  prevail in this action  or
that  it will not  obtain the remedies  it is seeking.  In addition, the Company
expects that the legal  costs incurred in defending  itself against this  action
could be substantial.
 
LACK OF MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE; RELIANCE ON CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS
 
    The  Company currently does not have  the facilities to manufacture products
for  large-scale  clinical  trials  or  in  commercial  quantities  and  has  no
experience  in commercial-scale  manufacturing. To manufacture  its products for
large-scale clinical trials or on a  commercial scale, the Company will have  to
build or gain access to a large-
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
scale  manufacturing facility which will require  a significant amount of funds.
The Company  currently  is  evaluating  the costs  and  benefits  of  developing
internal    manufacturing   capabilities   or   contracting   with   third-party
manufacturers. The production of the Company's cold adapted influenza vaccine is
subject to the  availability of a  large number of  pathogen-free hen eggs,  for
which  there  are  currently a  limited  number of  suppliers.  Contamination or
disruption of  this source  of  supply would  adversely  affect the  ability  to
manufacture  the Company's cold adapted influenza  vaccine. In addition, to make
the vaccine  available  for  clinical  trials or  commercial  sales  before  the
influenza season, the Company must successfully modify the vaccine within a six-
month  period to  include selected  strains for  a particular  year in  time for
manufacturing and distribution. The Company currently is considering whether  to
construct  manufacturing facilities  capable of  producing both  pilot-scale and
commercial quantities  of  its  potential  vaccine  products  and  is  presently
building  a pilot manufacturing facility. This scale-up process will require the
Company to  develop  advanced  manufacturing  techniques  and  rigorous  process
controls.  Furthermore, the  Company will be  required to  register its facility
with the FDA and with the California  Department of Health Services and will  be
subject  to state  and federal  inspections confirming  the Company's compliance
with current Good  Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP")  regulations established  by
the  FDA. No assurance can be given as  to the ability of the Company to produce
commercial quantities of  its potential products  in compliance with  applicable
regulations or at an acceptable cost, if at all.
 
    The  Company is alternatively considering  the use of contract manufacturers
for the commercial production of  its potential products. The Company  currently
relies  on Evans Medical Limited, a subsidiary  of Medeva plc ("Evans"), for the
manufacture of its influenza vaccine for  clinical trials. The Company is  aware
of only a limited number of manufacturers which it believes have the ability and
capacity  to  manufacture its  potential  products, including  the  cold adapted
influenza vaccine,  in a  timely manner.  There  can be  no assurance  that  the
Company  would  be able  to contract  with  any of  these manufacturers  for the
manufacture of  its products  on acceptable  terms, if  at all.  If the  Company
enters into an agreement with a third-party manufacturer, it will be required to
relinquish  control of the  manufacturing process, which  might adversely affect
the Company's  results of  operations. Furthermore,  a third-party  manufacturer
also  will be required to manufacture  the Company's products in compliance with
state and federal regulations. Failure  of any such third-party manufacturer  to
comply with state and federal regulations and to deliver the required quantities
on  a  timely  basis  and at  commercially  reasonable  prices  would materially
adversely affect  the Company's  business, financial  condition and  results  of
operations.  No assurance can be  given that the Company,  alone or with a third
party, will be able to make the transition to commercial-scale production of its
potential products successfully, if at all,  or that if successful, the  Company
will  be able to  maintain such production. See  "Business -- Manufacturing" and
"-- Government Regulation."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE PROFITABILITY; ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
 
    The Company  has experienced  significant  and increasing  operating  losses
since  its inception  in April 1992.  As of March  31, 1996, the  Company had an
accumulated deficit of approximately $26.2 million. Aviron has not received  any
product  revenue to date and does not  expect to generate revenues from the sale
of products  for  several  years,  if  at all.  The  Company  expects  to  incur
significant and increasing operating losses over at least the next several years
as  the Company's research  and development efforts  and preclinical testing and
clinical trial activities expand. The Company's ability to achieve profitability
depends in part upon its ability, alone or with others, to complete  development
of  its  proposed  products,  to obtain  required  regulatory  approvals  and to
successfully manufacture  and  market such  products.  To the  extent  that  the
Company  is  unable  to obtain  third-party  funding for  expenses,  the Company
expects that  its  increased  expenses  will result  in  increased  losses  from
operations.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  Aviron  will  obtain  required
regulatory approvals or  successfully identify, develop,  test, manufacture  and
market  any product  candidates, or that  the Company will  ever achieve product
revenues  or  profitability.  See  "Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis   of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF PROTECTION OF PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS; DEPENDENCE ON TRADE
SECRETS
 
    The  Company's success will  depend in part  on its ability  to maintain its
technology licenses, maintain trade secrets, obtain patents and operate  without
infringing  the proprietary rights of  others, both in the  United States and in
other countries. Since patent applications  in the United States are  maintained
in secrecy until patents
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
issue  and  since  publication  of  discoveries  in  the  scientific  or  patent
literature often lag behind  actual discoveries, the  Company cannot be  certain
that  it was  the first to  make the inventions  covered by each  of its pending
patent applications or  that it was  the first to  file patent applications  for
such  inventions.  The  patent  positions  of  biotechnology  and pharmaceutical
companies can  be  highly  uncertain  and  involve  complex  legal  and  factual
questions,  and therefore  the breadth  of claims  allowed in  biotechnology and
pharmaceutical patents, or their enforceability, cannot be predicted. There  can
be  no assurance that any  of the Company's patents  or patent applications will
issue or, if  issued, will not  be challenged, invalidated  or circumvented,  or
that  the  rights  granted  thereunder will  provide  proprietary  protection or
competitive advantages to the Company.
 
    The commercial  success  of Aviron  also  will  depend, in  part,  upon  the
Company's  not infringing patents  issued to others.  A number of pharmaceutical
companies, biotechnology companies, universities and research institutions  have
filed  patent applications  or received  patents in  the areas  of the Company's
programs. Some  of these  applications  or patents  may  limit or  preclude  the
Company's  applications, or conflict in certain  respects with claims made under
the Company's applications.
 
    The Company is aware of pending patent applications that have been filed  by
others  that may  pertain to  certain aspects of  the Company's  programs or its
issued or pending  patent applications. If  patents have been  or are issued  to
others   containing  preclusive  or  conflicting  claims  and  such  claims  are
ultimately determined  to  be valid,  the  Company  may be  required  to  obtain
licenses  to these  patents or to  develop or obtain  alternative technology. No
assurance can be given that patents have not been issued, or will not be issued,
to third parties that contain preclusive  or conflicting claims with respect  to
the  cold adapted influenza vaccine or any  of the Company's other programs. The
Company's breach  of an  existing license  or  failure to  obtain a  license  to
technology  required to commercialize  its products may  have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation, which could result in substantial costs to the Company, may also  be
necessary to enforce any patents issued to the Company or to determine the scope
and  validity of third-party  proprietary rights. If  competitors of the Company
prepare and file patent applications in the United States that claim  technology
also claimed by the Company, the Company may have to participate in interference
proceedings  declared  by  the  United States  Patent  and  Trademark  Office to
determine priority of invention, which could  result in substantial cost to  the
Company,  even if the eventual  outcome is favorable to  the Company. An adverse
outcome could subject the  Company to significant  liabilities to third  parties
and  require the  Company to  license disputed rights  from third  parties or to
cease using such technology.
 
   
    The Company  also  relies  on  trade  secrets  to  protect  its  technology,
especially  where  patent  protection  is  not  believed  to  be  appropriate or
obtainable. Certain of  the Company's licensors  also rely on  trade secrets  to
protect  technology which  has been  licensed to  Aviron, and  as a  result, the
Company is dependent  on the  efforts of such  licensors to  protect such  trade
secrets.  For  example, the  University of  Michigan relies,  in part,  on trade
secrets to protect the master strains  of the cold adapted influenza virus  used
by  the Company.  Aviron protects its  proprietary technology  and processes, in
part,  by   confidentiality   agreements  with   its   employees,   consultants,
collaborators  and certain  contractors. There  can be  no assurance  that these
agreements will not be breached, that  the Company would have adequate  remedies
for  any breach, or that  the Company's trade secrets  or those of its licensors
will not otherwise become known  or be independently discovered by  competitors.
To  the  extent that  Aviron or  its consultants  or research  collaborators use
intellectual property owned by  others in their work  for the Company,  disputes
may also arise as to the rights in related or resulting know-how and inventions.
On  July 1,  1996, Chiron  filed a  complaint against  the Company  in San Mateo
County, California, Superior  Court, alleging  that certain  of Aviron's  patent
applications  relating  to  its  EBV program  are  based  on  Chiron proprietary
information which was improperly conveyed to Aviron by a former Chiron employee,
and that the Company has engaged in unfair competition. See "-- Litigation  with
Chiron  Corporation," "--  Lack of Patent  Protection of  Cold Adapted Influenza
Technology,"  "Business  --  Patents  and  Proprietary  Rights"  and  "--  Legal
Proceedings."
    
 
   
LACK OF PATENT PROTECTION OF COLD ADAPTED INFLUENZA TECHNOLOGY
    
 
   
    The  Company has  no issued  patents on the  technology related  to its cold
adapted influenza vaccine. The Company's rights to this technology are based  on
an  exclusive license of materials and know-how from the University of Michigan,
which owns the  master strains  from which  the vaccine  is derived,  and on  an
exclusive
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
   
license  of know-how and clinical trial data from the NIH. The exclusive license
from the University of Michigan is for  all countries of the world except  Japan
and   is  in  the  process  of  being   extended  to  Japan  for  no  additional
consideration. Neither the University  of Michigan nor the  NIH rely on  patents
for ownership of the rights licensed to Aviron. There can be no assurance that a
third  party will not reproduce the  Company's cold adapted influenza vaccine or
that a third party will not  develop another live-virus influenza vaccine  which
might  be comparable to Aviron's  in terms of safety  and effectiveness. See "--
Uncertainty of Protection of Patents and Proprietary Rights; Dependence on Trade
Secrets," "Business -- Patents and Proprietary Rights."
    
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION; NO ASSURANCE OF REGULATORY APPROVALS
 
    The production  and marketing  of  the Company's  products and  its  ongoing
research  and  development activities  are  subject to  extensive  regulation by
numerous government authorities in the United States and other countries.  Prior
to  marketing in the  United States, any  product developed by  the Company must
undergo rigorous  preclinical  testing  and clinical  trials  and  an  extensive
regulatory  approval process  implemented by  the FDA  under the  Food, Drug and
Cosmetic Act.  Satisfaction  of  such regulatory  requirements,  which  includes
demonstrating  that  the product  is both  safe  and effective,  typically takes
several years or  more depending upon  the type, complexity  and novelty of  the
product  and requires the expenditure of substantial resources. This process may
be more demanding for  vaccines intended for use  in healthy people compared  to
therapeutics  used for  treatment of  people with  diseases. Preclinical studies
must be conducted in compliance with the FDA's Good Laboratory Practice  ("GLP")
regulations.  Clinical testing  must meet requirements  for Institutional Review
Board ("IRB")  oversight and  informed consent,  as well  as FDA  prior  review,
oversight  and  good clinical  practice  requirements. The  Company  has limited
experience in conducting and  managing the clinical  trials necessary to  obtain
regulatory  approval. Furthermore, the  Company or the  FDA may suspend clinical
trials at any time if it believes that the subjects participating in such trials
are being exposed to unacceptable health risks.
 
    Before receiving FDA approval to market a product, the Company will have  to
demonstrate  that the product  is safe and effective  and represents an improved
form of health management  compared to existing  approaches. Data obtained  from
preclinical   testing   and   clinical  trials   are   susceptible   to  varying
interpretations which could  delay, limit  or prevent  regulatory approvals.  In
addition,  delays  or  rejections  may  be  encountered  based  upon  additional
government regulation  from  future  legislation  or  administrative  action  or
changes  in FDA policy during the period of product development, clinical trials
and FDA regulatory  review. Similar delays  may also be  encountered in  foreign
countries. There can be no assurance that even after such time and expenditures,
regulatory  approval will be obtained for any products developed by the Company.
If regulatory approval of a product is granted, such approval will be limited to
those specific segments of the population for which the product is effective, as
demonstrated through clinical trials.  Furthermore, approval may entail  ongoing
requirements  for post-marketing  studies. Even  if such  regulatory approval is
obtained, a marketed product, its manufacturer and its manufacturing  facilities
are  subject  to  continual  review  and  periodic  inspections.  The regulatory
standards for manufacturing are currently being applied stringently by the  FDA.
Discovery  of  previously  unknown  problems  with  a  product,  manufacturer or
facility may result in restrictions  on such product or manufacturer,  including
costly  recalls or even withdrawal of the  product from the market. There can be
no assurance that any product developed  by the Company alone or in  conjunction
with  others will prove to  be safe and efficacious  in clinical trials and will
meet all of the applicable  regulatory requirements needed to receive  marketing
approval.
 
    Outside  the United  States, the  Company's ability  to market  a product is
contingent  upon  receiving   marketing  authorization   from  the   appropriate
regulatory  authorities.  The  requirements governing  the  conduct  of clinical
trials, marketing  authorization, pricing  and  reimbursement vary  widely  from
country to country. At present, foreign marketing authorizations are applied for
at  a national level, although within  the European Union (the "EU"), procedures
are available to  companies wishing  to market  a product  in more  than one  EU
member state. If the regulatory authorities are satisfied that adequate evidence
of  safety, quality and  efficacy has been  presented, a marketing authorization
will be granted. This  foreign regulatory approval process  includes all of  the
risks  associated with FDA approval set forth above. See "Business -- Government
Regulation."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
INTENSE COMPETITION AND RISK OF TECHNOLOGICAL OBSOLESCENCE
 
    The Company operates in a rapidly  evolving field. Any product developed  by
the Company would compete with existing and new drugs and vaccines being created
by pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. If the Company
were  able  to successfully  develop its  vaccines, it  would be  competing with
larger companies that  have already introduced  vaccines and have  significantly
greater  marketing,  manufacturing,  financial  and  managerial  resources.  For
example, with respect to its cold adapted influenza vaccine, the Company will be
competing  against  larger   companies  such  as   Pasteur  Merieux   Connaught,
Wyeth-Ayerst,  Parke-Davis Group ("Parke-Davis"), a subsidiary of Warner-Lambert
Company, and  Evans. Each  of these  companies sell  the injectable  inactivated
influenza  vaccine in  the United  States, have  significantly greater financial
resources than Aviron and have  established marketing and distribution  channels
for  such products.  The Company  is also  aware of  several companies  that are
marketing or are  in late-stage development  of products to  prevent CMV or  HSV
disease,  including Glaxo Wellcome plc  ("Glaxo"), SmithKline Beecham and Chiron
Biocine Corporation. In addition, the Company is aware of the use in Russia of a
cold adapted influenza  vaccine, research  programs by some  of the  competitors
listed  above, among others, to develop  more effective influenza vaccines and a
cold adapted PIV-3 vaccine developed with NIH support which may be licensed to a
large vaccine company.
 
    New developments are  expected to  continue in both  the pharmaceutical  and
biotechnology  industries  and  in  academia.  Other  companies  may  succeed in
developing products that are safer, more effective or less costly than any  that
may  be developed by the Company. Such companies may also be more effective than
the Company  in the  production and  marketing of  their products.  Furthermore,
rapid  technological  development by  competitors  may result  in  the Company's
products becoming obsolete before the Company  is able to recover its  research,
development  or commercialization expenses incurred  in connection with any such
product.  Many  potential  competitors  have  substantially  greater  financial,
technical and marketing resources than the Company. Some of these companies also
have  considerable experience in preclinical  testing, clinical trials and other
regulatory  approval  procedures.   Moreover,  certain  academic   institutions,
government  agencies and other research organizations are conducting research in
areas  in  which  the  Company  is  working.  These  institutions  are  becoming
increasingly  aware of the  commercial value of their  findings and are becoming
more active in seeking patent  protection and licensing arrangements to  collect
royalties for the use of technology that they have developed. These institutions
may  also market competitive  commercial products on their  own or through joint
ventures.
 
    Aviron believes  that  competition in  the  markets it  is  addressing  will
continue  to be intense. The vaccine  industry is characterized by intense price
competition, and the Company anticipates that it will face this and other  forms
of competition. There can be no assurance that pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical
and  biotechnology companies will not develop more effective products than those
of the Company or will not market and sell their products more effectively  than
the  Company,  which  would have  a  material  adverse effect  on  the Company's
business, financial  condition  and  results of  operations.  See  "Business  --
Competition."
 
DEPENDENCE ON COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS
 
    The  Company's strategy for the  development, clinical trials, manufacturing
and commercialization  of  certain  of its  products  includes  maintaining  and
entering   into  various  collaborations  with  corporate  partners,  licensors,
licensees and others. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
maintain existing collaborative agreements, negotiate collaborative arrangements
in the future on  acceptable terms, if  at all, or  that any such  collaborative
arrangements  will be successful. To the extent  that the Company is not able to
maintain or  establish  such arrangements,  the  Company would  be  required  to
undertake  product  development  and  commercialization  activities  at  its own
expense, which would increase the Company's capital requirements or require  the
Company  to limit the scope of its development and commercialization activities.
In addition, the  Company may  encounter significant delays  in introducing  its
products  into certain markets or find that the development, manufacture or sale
of its products in  such markets is  adversely affected by  the absence of  such
collaborative agreements.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
    In  October 1995,  the Company signed  an agreement  with SmithKline Beecham
defining a  collaboration  on the  Company's  EBV vaccine  technology  (the  "SB
Agreement"). Under the terms of the SB Agreement, the Company granted SmithKline
Beecham  an exclusive  license to  produce, use  and sell  non-live EBV vaccines
incorporating the Company's technology for prophylactic and therapeutic uses  on
a  worldwide  basis,  except  in  South  and  North  Korea  (together, "Korea").
SmithKline Beecham made an initial upfront payment to the Company and agreed  to
make  additional payments  upon the  achievement of  certain product development
milestones. No assurance can  be given, however, that  the Company will  receive
any  additional payments from SmithKline Beecham or that SmithKline Beecham will
not terminate its agreement with the Company. The SB Agreement may be terminated
by SmithKline Beecham with respect to any country at any time. In May 1995,  the
Company  entered  into  a Development  and  License Agreement  with  Sang-A. The
Company granted  to Sang-A  exclusive  clinical development,  manufacturing  and
marketing  rights in Korea for specified products developed by Aviron, including
vaccines for influenza (cold adapted and recombinant), EBV, CMV, HSV-2 and  RSV.
Sang-A also will make payments to the Company upon the Company's meeting certain
regulatory  milestones for each product  in Korea and will  pay a royalty to the
Company on net  sales of  such products  in Korea.  No assurance  can be  given,
however,  that the Company will receive any  payments from Sang-A or that Sang-A
will not terminate its agreement with the Company.
 
    The Company cannot  control the  amount and  timing of  resources which  its
collaborative  partners devote to the  Company's programs or potential products,
which may vary because of factors unrelated to the potential products. If any of
the Company's collaborative partners breach  or terminate their agreements  with
the  Company or  otherwise fail to  conduct their collaborative  activities in a
timely manner, the preclinical or  clinical development or commercialization  of
product  candidates or research programs will  be delayed, and the Company would
be  required  to  devote  additional   resources  to  product  development   and
commercialization,    or   terminate   certain   development   programs.   These
relationships generally may  be terminated  at the discretion  of the  Company's
collaborative  partners, in some cases with  only limited notice to the Company.
The termination  of collaborative  arrangements could  have a  material  adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
There  also can be no assurance that disputes  will not arise in the future with
respect to  the ownership  of  rights to  any  technology developed  with  third
parties.  These and other  possible disagreements between  collaborators and the
Company could  lead to  delays  in the  collaborative research,  development  or
commercialization  of certain product candidates,  or could result in litigation
or arbitration, which would  be time consuming and  expensive, and would have  a
material  adverse  effect on  the  Company's business,  financial  condition and
results of operations.
 
    In addition, Aviron's  collaborative partners may  develop, either alone  or
with  others, products  that compete with  the development and  marketing of the
Company's products. Competing products  of the Company's collaborative  partners
may  result in their withdrawal  of support with respect to  all or a portion of
the Company's technology,  which would  have a  material adverse  effect on  the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. See "Business
- -- Collaborative Agreements."
 
UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE
 
    Even  if the requisite  regulatory approvals are  obtained for the Company's
potential products,  uncertainty exists  as  to whether  such products  will  be
accepted in United States or foreign markets. The Company believes, for example,
that  widespread use of the Company's proposed  vaccines in the United States is
unlikely  without  positive  recommendations  from  the  Advisory  Committee  on
Immunization  Practices  (the  "ACIP")  of  the  CDC,  the  American  Academy of
Pediatrics or the American College of Physicians. There can be no assurance that
such authorities will recommend the use of the Company's proposed products.  The
lack  of  such  recommendations would  have  a  material adverse  effect  on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    A number  of additional  factors  may affect  the  rate and  overall  market
acceptance  of Aviron's  cold adapted influenza  vaccine and  any other products
which may  be  developed by  the  Company, including  the  rate of  adoption  of
Aviron's  vaccines by health care practitioners,  the rate of vaccine acceptance
by the target  population, the timing  of market entry  relative to  competitive
products,  the  availability  of  alternative  technologies,  the  price  of the
Company's products  relative to  alternative technologies,  the availability  of
third-party  reimbursement and the  extent of marketing  efforts by the Company,
collaborative partners and third-party distributors or
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
agents retained by the Company. Side effects or unfavorable publicity concerning
Aviron's products or any product incorporating live virus vaccines could have an
adverse effect  on  the  Company's  ability  to  obtain  physician,  patient  or
third-party  payor acceptance  and efforts to  sell the  Company's products. The
Company's current formulation of the cold adapted influenza vaccine for clinical
trials requires frozen storage, which may adversely affect market acceptance  in
certain   foreign  countries  where  adequate   refrigeration  is  not  commonly
available. There can be  no assurance that  physicians, patients or  third-party
payors  will accept  new live  virus vaccine  products or  any of  the Company's
products as readily  as other types  of vaccines,  or at all.  See "Business  --
Vaccine Products Under Development."
 
LACK OF MARKETING EXPERIENCE; DEPENDENCE ON THIRD PARTIES
 
    The Company currently has no sales, marketing or distribution capability. To
market  any products, Aviron must either obtain  the assistance of a third party
with a suitable distribution system, develop a direct sales and marketing  staff
of  its own or combine the efforts of  a third party with its own efforts. Other
than SmithKline Beecham and  Sang-A, the Company to  date has no agreements  for
marketing or distributing its potential products.
 
    The  success and commercialization of the Company's products is dependent in
part upon  the ability  of the  Company to  maintain and  enter into  additional
collaborative  agreements with  corporate partners for  the development, testing
and marketing of certain  of its vaccines  and upon the  ability of these  third
parties to perform their responsibilities. Although Aviron believes that parties
to  any  such  arrangements would  have  an  economic motivation  to  succeed in
performing  their  contractual  responsibilities,  the  amount  and  timing   of
resources  devoted to  these activities  will not be  within the  control of the
Company. There can be no assurance that any such agreements or arrangements will
be available on  terms acceptable to  the Company,  if at all,  that such  third
parties  would perform their obligations as  expected, or that any revenue would
be derived from  such arrangements. If  Aviron is  not able to  enter into  such
agreements  or  arrangements,  it  could  encounter  delays  in  introducing its
products  into  the   market  or   be  forced  to   limit  the   scope  of   its
commercialization  activities. If the Company  were to market products directly,
significant additional  expenditures, management  resources  and time  would  be
required to develop a sales and marketing staff within the Company. In addition,
the  Company would  also be competing  with other companies  that currently have
experienced and  well-funded marketing  and sales  operations. There  can be  no
assurance that the Company will be able to establish its own sales and marketing
force or that any such force, if established, would be successful. See "Business
- -- Marketing and Sales" and "-- Collaborative Agreements."
 
VOLATILITY OF COMMON STOCK PRICE
 
    The  market prices  for securities of  pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies have historically been  highly volatile. The market  has
from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are
unrelated  to the  operating performance  of particular  companies. In addition,
factors such as fluctuations in the Company's operating results, future sales of
Common Stock,  announcements of  technological  innovations or  new  therapeutic
products  by  the Company  or its  competitors, announcements  of collaborators,
clinical trial results, government regulation,  developments in patent or  other
proprietary  rights, public concern as  to the safety of  drugs developed by the
Company or  others, comments  made  by securities  analysts and  general  market
conditions  can have an adverse effect on  the market price of the Common Stock.
In particular, the  realization of  any of the  risks described  in these  "Risk
Factors" could have a significant and adverse impact on such market price.
 
RISK OF PRODUCT LIABILITY; UNCERTAINTY OF AVAILABILITY OF INSURANCE
 
    The  Company's business exposes it to potential product liability risks that
are inherent  in  the testing,  manufacturing  and marketing  of  vaccines.  The
Company has obtained clinical trial liability insurance for its clinical trials,
but  there  can  be no  assurance  that it  will  be able  to  maintain adequate
insurance for its  clinical trials.  The Company  also intends  to seek  product
liability  insurance in the future for  products approved for marketing, if any.
However, no assurance can be given that  the Company will be able to acquire  or
maintain  insurance  or  that  insurance  can be  acquired  or  maintained  at a
reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
the Company. There can be no assurance that insurance coverage and the resources
of the  Company would  be sufficient  to satisfy  any liability  resulting  from
product  liability claims.  A successful  product liability  claim or  series of
claims brought against the Company could  have a material adverse effect on  its
business,  financial condition and results of operations. The Company intends to
seek inclusion of certain of its products in the United States National  Vaccine
Injury  Compensation Program, a no-fault compensation program for claims against
vaccine manufacturers, which administers a trust funded by excise taxes on sales
of certain recommended childhood vaccines. There  can be no assurance that  this
government program will continue or that the Company's proposed vaccines will be
included in the program.
 
UNCERTAINTY RELATED TO PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AND REIMBURSEMENT
 
    Political, economic and regulatory influences are subjecting the health care
industry  in  the United  States to  fundamental  change. Recent  initiatives to
reduce the federal  deficit and to  reform health care  delivery are  increasing
cost-containment   efforts.  The   Company  anticipates   that  Congress,  state
legislatures  and  the  private  sector  will  continue  to  review  and  assess
alternative  benefits, controls on  health care spending  through limitations on
the growth  of  private health  insurance  premiums and  Medicare  and  Medicaid
spending,  the creation of large insurance  purchasing groups, price controls on
pharmaceuticals and  other  fundamental  changes to  the  health  care  delivery
system.  Any such  proposed or  actual changes  could cause  the Company  or its
collaborative partners to limit or  eliminate spending on development  projects.
Legislative  debate is expected to continue in the future, and market forces are
expected to demand reduced costs. Aviron cannot predict what impact the adoption
of any federal  or state health  care reform measures  or future private  sector
reforms may have on its business.
 
    In  both  domestic  and foreign  markets,  sales of  the  Company's proposed
vaccines will  depend  in  part  upon the  availability  of  reimbursement  from
third-party  payors,  such  as  government  health  administration  authorities,
managed care  providers, private  health insurers  and other  organizations.  In
addition,  other third-party payors  are increasingly challenging  the price and
cost effectiveness  of medical  products and  services. Significant  uncertainty
exists  as to the  reimbursement status of newly  approved health care products.
There can  be  no  assurance  that  the  Company's  proposed  products  will  be
considered  cost effective  or that  adequate third-party  reimbursement will be
available to enable  Aviron to maintain  price levels sufficient  to realize  an
appropriate  return on  its investment  in product  development. Legislation and
regulations affecting  the  pricing of  pharmaceuticals  may change  before  the
Company's  proposed  products  are  approved  for  marketing.  Adoption  of such
legislation could further limit reimbursement for medical products. If  adequate
coverage  and  reimbursement  levels  are not  provided  by  the  government and
third-party payors for the  Company's products, the  market acceptance of  these
products would be adversely affected, which would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
NEED TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS
 
    The  Company is highly dependent on  the principal members of its scientific
and management  staff.  In  addition,  the Company  relies  on  consultants  and
advisors,   including  its  scientific  advisors,   to  assist  the  Company  in
formulating its  research and  development  strategy. Attracting  and  retaining
qualified  personnel, consultants and advisors will be critical to the Company's
success. To pursue its product development and marketing plans, the Company will
be required  to  hire  additional  qualified  scientific  personnel  to  perform
research  and development,  as well  as personnel  with expertise  in conducting
clinical trials, government regulation,  manufacturing and marketing and  sales.
Expansion  in product development and marketing  is also expected to require the
addition of management personnel and the development of additional expertise  by
existing  management  personnel.  The Company  faces  competition  for qualified
individuals from  numerous pharmaceutical,  biopharmaceutical and  biotechnology
companies,  universities  and  other  research  institutions.  There  can  be no
assurance that the Company will be able to attract and retain such individuals.
 
    In addition,  a  portion  of  the  Company's  research  and  development  is
conducted  under  sponsored  research  programs  with  several  universities and
research institutions. The Company  depends on the  availability of a  principal
investigator  for each  such program, and  the Company cannot  assure that these
individuals or their research staffs will  be available to conduct research  and
development for Aviron. The Company's academic
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
collaborators  are not employees  of the Company.  As a result,  the Company has
limited control over their activities and  can expect that only limited  amounts
of  their time will  be dedicated to Company  activities. The Company's academic
collaborators may have  relationships with  other commercial  entities, some  of
which  could  compete with  the Company.  See  "Business --  Scientific Advisory
Board" and "Management."
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
 
    The Company's  research  and  development involves  the  controlled  use  of
hazardous  materials,  chemicals,  various radioactive  substances  and viruses.
Although the  Company  believes that  its  safety procedures  for  handling  and
disposing  of such materials  comply with the standards  prescribed by state and
federal regulations, the risk of  accidental contamination or injury from  these
materials cannot be completely eliminated. In the event of such an accident, the
Company  could be held liable for any damages that result and any such liability
could exceed the  resources of the  Company. The Company  may incur  substantial
costs   to  comply  with  environmental  regulations  if  the  Company  develops
manufacturing capacity.
 
DILUTION
 
    The assumed initial public offering  price is substantially higher than  the
pro  forma net  tangible book  value per  share of  the Company's  Common Stock.
Investors purchasing shares  of Common  Stock in  this offering  and the  Sang-A
Shares  will therefore  incur immediate,  substantial dilution  of approximately
$7.82 per share.  In addition, investors  purchasing shares of  Common Stock  in
this  offering will incur additional dilution  to the extent outstanding options
and warrants are exercised. See "Dilution."
 
NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET
 
    Prior to this offering,  there has been no  public market for the  Company's
Common  Stock, and there can be no  assurance that a regular trading market will
develop and continue after this offering or that the market price of the  Common
Stock  will not  decline below  the initial  public offering  price. The initial
public offering  price  will  be determined  through  negotiations  between  the
Company and the Representatives of the Underwriters and may not be indicative of
the  market price of the Common Stock following this offering. Among the factors
considered in such  negotiations will be  prevailing market conditions,  certain
financial  information of the Company, market valuations of other companies that
the Company and the Representatives of the Underwriters believe to be comparable
to the Company, estimates of the business potential of the Company, the  present
state  of  the  Company's development  and  other factors  deemed  relevant. See
"Underwriting."
 
POTENTIAL ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Sales of a substantial amount of Common Stock in the public market following
this offering could adversely affect the  market price for the Company's  Common
Stock.  Upon completion of this offering and  the sale of the Sang-A Shares, the
Company will have 12,285,990 shares of Common Stock outstanding. In addition  to
the  3,000,000  shares of  Common  Stock offered  hereby,  approximately 149,329
shares will be available for sale in  the public market upon the effective  date
of the Registration Statement pursuant to subsection (k) of Rule 144 promulgated
under  the Securities Act of 1933,  as amended (the "Act"). Approximately 37,395
shares of Common Stock and 148,145  shares subject to exercisable warrants  will
be  available for  sale in the  public market pursuant  to Rule 144  or Rule 701
under the Act beginning 90  days after the date  of this Prospectus, subject  in
certain  cases to volume  and manner of sale  restrictions. In addition, 283,160
shares subject to vested options  will be available for  sale 90 days after  the
date  of this Prospectus pursuant to Rule  701. Beginning 180 days from the date
of this  Prospectus, 5,279,881  shares of  Common Stock  outstanding and  33,726
shares  subject to additional vested options will be available for sale, subject
in certain cases to volume limitations, upon the expiration of agreements not to
sell such  outstanding shares  or  shares subject  to such  options.  Robertson,
Stephens  & Company may, in its sole  discretion and at any time without notice,
release all  or  any  portion  of the  shares  subject  to  lock-up  agreements.
Additional  shares held by  existing shareholders will  become eligible for sale
from  time  to  time  in  the  future.  After  this  offering,  the  holders  of
approximately  8,433,659  shares  of  Common  Stock  and  warrants  to  purchase
approximately 148,145 shares of Common Stock will be entitled to certain  demand
and  piggyback registration rights  with respect to  registration of such shares
under the Act. If such holders, by
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
exercising their demand or piggyback  registration rights, cause a large  number
of  securities to be registered and sold  in the public market, such sales could
have an adverse effect on  the market price for  the Company's Common Stock.  If
the  Company were to include in  a Company-initiated registration shares held by
such holders pursuant to  the exercise of  their piggyback registration  rights,
such  sales may have an adverse effect  on the Company's ability to raise needed
capital. See "Shares Eligible for Future Sale" and "Underwriting."
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF DELAWARE LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
 
    The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to  5,000,000
shares  of Preferred Stock  and to determine the  price, rights, preferences and
privileges of those shares without any  further vote or action by the  Company's
stockholders.  The rights of the holders of Common Stock will be subject to, and
may be adversely affected by, the rights  of the holders of any Preferred  Stock
that  may be issued in the future. While the Company has no present intention to
issue shares  of  Preferred  Stock, such  issuance,  while  providing  desirable
flexibility  in  connection  with  possible  acquisitions  and  other  corporate
purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to
acquire a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company. In  addition,
the  Company is subject  to the anti-takeover  provisions of Section  203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits the Company from engaging in a
"business combination" with an  "interested stockholder" for  a period of  three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
The application of Section 203 could have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change  of control  of the Company.  The Company's  Certificate of Incorporation
provides for staggered  terms for  the members of  the Board  of Directors.  The
staggered  Board  of Directors  and certain  other  provisions of  the Company's
Certificate of  Incorporation and  Bylaws may  have the  effect of  delaying  or
preventing  changes  in  control  or  management  of  the  Company,  which could
adversely  affect  the  market  price   of  the  Company's  Common  Stock.   See
"Description  of Capital Stock -- Delaware Anti-Takeover Law and Certain Charter
Provisions."
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    The net proceeds  to the Company  from the  sale of shares  of Common  Stock
offered  hereby  are  estimated  to  be  $32.9  million  ($37.9  million  if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option  is exercised in  full) after deducting  the
estimated  underwriting discounts and commissions  and offering expenses payable
by the Company. In addition,  the net proceeds to the  Company from the sale  of
the Sang-A Shares are estimated to be $4.0 million.
 
    The  Company  anticipates  using  approximately  $24.0  million  of  the net
proceeds from this offering and from the  sale of the Sang-A Shares for  product
research  and development, including preclinical testing and clinical trials and
approximately $8.0  million for  capital expenditures.  The balance  of the  net
proceeds  will be used  for working capital and  general corporate purposes. The
amounts and timing of the expenditures for these purposes may vary significantly
depending on numerous factors, such as the status of the Company's research  and
development  efforts, the  regulatory approval  process, technological advances,
determinations as to commercial potential, the terms of collaborative agreements
entered into  by  the  Company,  the status  of  competitive  products  and  the
possibility  of the  Company's construction of  a commercial-scale manufacturing
facility for its  potential products.  In addition, the  Company's research  and
development expenditures will vary as projects are added, extended or terminated
and  as a result of variations in  funding from existing or future collaborative
agreements. The Company may also use a  portion of such net proceeds to  acquire
or  invest in  businesses, products and  technologies that  are complementary to
those of  the  Company, although  no  such  acquisitions are  planned  or  being
negotiated as of the date of this Prospectus, and no portion of the net proceeds
has been allocated for any specific acquisition.
 
    The  Company believes that its  available cash, cash equivalents, short-term
investments and revenues  from existing  collaborations, together  with the  net
proceeds  of  this offering  and from  the sale  of the  Sang-A Shares,  and the
interest thereon, will be sufficient to  meet its capital requirements at  least
through  1997. Pending application  of the net proceeds  as described above, the
Company intends  to invest  the net  proceeds in  short-term,  interest-bearing,
investment-grade securities.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
    The  Company has  not declared  or paid cash  dividends on  its Common Stock
since inception and does not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Future  cash dividends,  if any,  will  be determined  by the  Board  of
Directors.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The  following table  sets forth, as  of March  31, 1996, (i)  the pro forma
capitalization  of  the  Company,  giving  effect  to  the  conversion  of   all
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of the Company into Common Stock, and (ii)
the pro forma capitalization as adjusted to reflect the receipt of the estimated
net  proceeds from the sale  of 3,000,000 shares of  Common Stock offered by the
Company hereby at an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per  share,
after  deducting  the  estimated  underwriting  discounts  and  commissions  and
offering expenses payable by  the Company, and the  estimated proceeds from  the
sale of the Sang-A Shares:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              MARCH 31, 1996
                                                         ------------------------
                                                          PRO FORMA   AS ADJUSTED
                                                         -----------  -----------
                                                              (in thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>
Capital lease obligations, noncurrent..................   $     545    $     545
                                                         -----------  -----------
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares
   authorized; none issued and outstanding.............          --           --
  Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 30,000,000 shares
   authorized; 8,874,456 shares issued and outstanding
   pro forma, and 12,207,789 shares issued and
   outstanding as adjusted (1).........................           9           12
  Additional paid-in capital...........................      41,598       78,475
  Notes receivable from stockholders...................        (310)        (310)
  Deferred compensation................................        (938)        (938)
  Accumulated deficit..................................     (26,192)     (26,192)
                                                         -----------  -----------
        Total stockholders' equity.....................      14,167       51,047
                                                         -----------  -----------
          Total capitalization.........................   $  14,712    $  51,592
                                                         -----------  -----------
                                                         -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1)  Excludes (i) 78,201 shares  of Common Stock issued  subsequent to March 31,
    1996 upon exercise  of stock options,  (ii) 643,480 shares  of Common  Stock
    issuable  upon  exercise of  options outstanding  as  of June  1, 1996  at a
    weighted average exercise price of  approximately $1.22 per share, (iii)  an
    aggregate  of  1,556,520  shares  reserved for  future  grants  or purchases
    pursuant to  the  Company's  1996  Equity  Incentive  Plan,  Employee  Stock
    Purchase  Plan  and Non-Employee  Director Stock  Option Plan,  (iv) 118,395
    shares issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 1, 1996  at
    a  weighted average exercise price  of $6.65 per share,  and (v) warrants to
    purchase 29,750 shares which become exercisable at the close of the offering
    at 125% of the initial public offering price.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
                                    DILUTION
 
    The pro forma net tangible book value of the Company, as of March 31,  1996,
was  $14,167,000 or $1.60 per share of Common Stock. Pro forma net tangible book
value per share is determined by dividing the pro forma net tangible book  value
(pro  forma tangible assets less total liabilities) of the Company by the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding  at that date, including shares of  Common
Stock  to be issued upon conversion of  the Preferred Stock immediately prior to
the consummation of this offering. After giving effect to the receipt of the net
proceeds from the sale of  the 3,000,000 shares of  Common Stock offered by  the
Company  at an assumed initial public offering price of $12.00 per share and the
estimated proceeds  from  the sale  of  the Sang-A  Shares,  the pro  forma  net
tangible  book  value  of the  Company  as of  March  31, 1996  would  have been
$51,047,000 or $4.18 per  share. This represents an  immediate increase in  such
pro  forma net tangible book  value of $2.58 per  share to existing stockholders
and an immediate dilution of $7.82 per share to new public investors and Sang-A.
The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
Assumed initial public offering price..................             $   12.00
  Pro forma net tangible book value before offering....  $    1.60
  Increase attributable to new investors...............       2.58
                                                         ---------
Pro forma net tangible book value after offering.......                  4.18
                                                                    ---------
Dilution to new investors..............................             $    7.82
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis, as of March 31,  1996,
the  difference between the number of shares  of Common Stock purchased from the
Company, the total consideration  paid and the average  price per share paid  by
existing  stockholders  and  by  the new  investors  purchasing  shares  in this
offering and purchasing the Sang-A Shares at an assumed initial public  offering
price  of  $12.00  per share  and  before deducting  underwriting  discounts and
estimated offering expenses:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  SHARES PURCHASED         TOTAL CONSIDERATION       AVERAGE
                                              ------------------------  -------------------------   PRICE PER
                                                 NUMBER      PERCENT       AMOUNT       PERCENT       SHARE
                                              ------------  ----------  -------------  ----------  -----------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>
Existing stockholders.......................     8,874,456       72.7%  $  41,454,000       50.9%   $    4.67
New investors...............................     3,333,333       27.3      40,000,000       49.1        12.00
                                              ------------      -----   -------------      -----
    Total...................................    12,207,789      100.0%  $  81,454,000      100.0%
                                              ------------      -----   -------------      -----
                                              ------------      -----   -------------      -----
</TABLE>
 
    The foregoing  table  excludes (i)  78,201  shares of  Common  Stock  issued
subsequent to March 31, 1996 upon exercise of stock options, (ii) 643,480 shares
of  Common Stock  issuable upon  exercise of options  outstanding as  of June 1,
1996, at a  weighted average exercise  price of approximately  $1.22 per  share,
(iii)  an aggregate of 1,556,520 shares  reserved for future grants or purchases
pursuant to the Company's  1996 Equity Incentive  Plan, Employee Stock  Purchase
Plan  and Non-Employee Director Stock Option  Plan, (iv) 118,395 shares issuable
upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of  June 1, 1996 at a weighted  average
exercise  price of $6.65 per  share, and (v) warrants  to purchase 29,750 shares
which become exercisable at  the close of  the offering at  125% of the  initial
public offering price.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The  selected financial data  set forth below should  be read in conjunction
with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in
this Prospectus. The statement of operations  data for the years ended  December
31,  1993, 1994 and  1995, and the balance  sheet data at  December 31, 1994 and
1995, are  derived  from  the  financial  statements  of  the  Company  included
elsewhere  in this  Prospectus which  have been  audited by  Ernst &  Young LLP,
independent auditors, whose report is included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The
statement of operations data  from inception (April  15, 1992) through  December
31,  1992 and  the balance  sheet data  as of  December 31,  1992 and  1993, are
derived from audited financial statements not included herein. Financial data as
of March 31, 1996 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 1995 and 1996,
is derived from unaudited financial  statements included elsewhere herein,  and,
in the opinion of management, includes all normal recurring adjustments that the
Company   considers  necessary  for  a  fair  presentation  of  its  results  of
operations.  The  results  of  operations  for  the  interim  periods  are   not
necessarily  indicative of  results to  be expected  for any  future period. The
Company has  not declared  or paid  cash  dividends on  its Common  Stock  since
inception  and does  not intend  to pay  any cash  dividends in  the foreseeable
future.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        FOR THE PERIOD FROM                                            THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                          APRIL 15, 1992            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                MARCH 31,
                                        (DATE OF INCEPTION)   ------------------------------------  ------------------------
                                       TO DECEMBER 31, 1992      1993         1994         1995        1995         1996
                                       ---------------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                                               (in thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                    <C>                    <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Total revenues.......................        $      --          $      --    $      --   $   1,707    $      --    $     188
Operating expenses:
  Research and development...........              320              2,073        4,216      10,220        3,088        3,044
  General and administrative.........              470              1,874        2,493       3,252          701        1,063
                                                 -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
    Total operating expenses.........              790              3,947        6,709      13,472        3,789        4,107
                                                 -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Loss from operations.................             (790)            (3,947)      (6,709)    (11,765)      (3,789)      (3,919)
                                                 -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Interest income, net of interest
 expense.............................               37                175          207         362           32          183
                                                 -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Net loss.............................        $    (753)         $  (3,772)   $  (6,502)  $ (11,403)   $  (3,757)   $  (3,736)
                                                 -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
                                                 -----        -----------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -----------
Pro forma net loss per share (1).....                                                    $   (1.24)                $   (0.41)
                                                                                        ----------               -----------
                                                                                        ----------               -----------
Shares used in computing pro forma
 net loss per share (1)..............                                                        9,183                     9,223
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               DECEMBER 31,                    MARCH 31,
                                                             ------------------------------------------------  ----------
                                                                 1992         1993        1994        1995        1996
                                                             ------------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                    (in thousands)
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments..........     $   1,492   $  12,410   $   6,449   $  17,819   $  14,494
Working capital............................................         1,355      12,155       5,877      16,775      12,804
Total assets...............................................         1,901      13,206       7,789      19,878      17,275
Capital lease obligations, noncurrent......................            --          --        (750)       (618)       (545)
Deferred compensation (2)..................................            --          --          --         180         938
Accumulated deficit........................................          (753)     (4,525)    (11,060)    (22,444)    (26,192)
Total stockholders' equity.................................         1,722      12,893       6,362      17,537      14,167
</TABLE>
 
- --------------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for an explanation of the method
    used to determine the number of shares  used to compute pro forma per  share
    amounts.
 
(2)  In  May  1996,  the Company  recorded  approximately  $463,000  of deferred
    compensation related to  grants of  employee stock  options. See  Note 7  of
    Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The  following Management's  Discussion and Analysis  of Financial Condition
and Results  of Operations  contains  forward-looking statements  which  involve
risks  and uncertainties. The  Company's actual results  could differ materially
from those  anticipated  in these  forward-looking  statements as  a  result  of
certain factors, including those set forth under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in
this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    Since  its inception in April 1992,  Aviron has devoted substantially all of
its resources to its research and development programs. To date, Aviron has  not
generated any revenues from the sale of products and does not expect to generate
any  such revenues for  at least several  years, if at  all. Aviron has incurred
cumulative net losses of approximately $26.2  million as of March 31, 1996,  and
it expects to incur increasing operating losses for a number of years.
 
    Aviron  has financed its operations through proceeds from private placements
of  Preferred  Stock,  revenue  from  its  collaborative  agreements,  including
reimbursement   of  certain  of  Aviron's  research  and  development  expenses,
equipment lease  financing and  investment income  earned on  cash balances  and
short-term investments.
 
    The  Company expects its  research and development  expenditures to increase
substantially over the next  several years as the  Company expands its  research
and development efforts and preclinical testing and clinical trials with respect
to certain of its programs. In addition, general and administrative expenses are
expected  to  continue to  increase as  the Company  expands its  operations and
incurs the additional expenses associated with operating as a public company.
 
    In October 1995,  the Company  signed an agreement  with SmithKline  Beecham
defining  a  collaboration  on the  Company's  EBV vaccine  technology  (the "SB
Agreement"). Under the terms of the SB Agreement, the Company granted SmithKline
Beecham an exclusive  license to  produce, use  and sell  non-live EBV  vaccines
incorporating  the Company's technology for prophylactic and therapeutic uses on
a worldwide basis,  except in  South and  North Korea  (together, "Korea").  The
Company  has retained the right to co-distribute a monovalent formulation of the
vaccine in certain markets in the  United States and to have SmithKline  Beecham
supply  such  vaccine.  SmithKline  Beecham  has  agreed  to  fund  research and
development at the  Company related  to the  EBV vaccine,  in specified  minimum
amounts, during the first two years of the SB Agreement. SmithKline Beecham made
an initial upfront payment to the Company and agreed to make additional payments
upon  the achievement of certain product  development milestones. The Company is
entitled to royalties from SmithKline Beecham based on net sales of the vaccine.
No assurance can be given, however, that the Company will receive any additional
payments from SmithKline Beecham or  that SmithKline Beecham will not  terminate
its agreement with the Company. See "Business -- Collaborative Agreements."
 
    In  May 1995, the  Company entered into a  Development and License Agreement
with Sang-A.  The  Company granted  to  Sang-A exclusive  clinical  development,
manufacturing  and marketing rights in Korea for specified products developed by
Aviron, including vaccines  for influenza (cold  adapted and recombinant),  EBV,
CMV,  HSV-2 and RSV. However, the Company  is under no obligation to develop any
product. Sang-A  also will  make  payments to  the  Company upon  the  Company's
meeting  certain regulatory milestones for each product  in Korea and will pay a
royalty to the Company on net sales of such products in Korea. No assurance  can
be  given, however, that  the Company will  receive any payments  from Sang-A or
that Sang-A will not terminate its agreement with the Company. See "Business  --
Collaborative Agreements."
 
    On  July  1,  1996, Chiron  filed  a  lawsuit against  the  Company alleging
misappropriation of trade secrets. The Company believes that the allegations  in
the  complaint are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously against
such action.  However, the  Company expects  that the  legal costs  incurred  in
defending  itself against  this action  could be  substantial. See  "Business --
Legal Proceedings" and "Risk Factors -- Litigation with Chiron Corporation."
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
    The Company currently  is evaluating  the costs and  benefits of  developing
internal    manufacturing   capabilities   or   contracting   with   third-party
manufacturers. In  April 1996,  the Company  completed construction  of a  pilot
manufacturing facility funded through its existing capital lease line of credit;
however,   if  the  Company  decides   to  establish  its  own  commercial-scale
manufacturing facility,  it would  require a  significant amount  of funds.  See
"Business -- Manufacturing."
 
    The  Company's business is  subject to significant  risks, including but not
limited to the risks inherent in its research and development efforts, including
preclinical testing  and clinical  trials,  uncertainties associated  both  with
obtaining  and enforcing its patents  and with the patent  rights of others, the
lengthy, expensive  and  uncertain  process  of  seeking  regulatory  approvals,
uncertainties regarding government reforms and product pricing and reimbursement
levels,  technological change  and competition,  manufacturing uncertainties and
dependence on third  parties. Even  if the Company's  product candidates  appear
promising  at an early stage  of development, they may  not reach the market for
numerous reasons. Such reasons include the possibilities that the products  will
be  found unsafe  or ineffective  during clinical  trials, will  fail to receive
necessary regulatory  approvals, will  be difficult  to manufacture  on a  large
scale,   will   be   uneconomical  to   market   or  will   be   precluded  from
commercialization by proprietary rights of third parties.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 AND 1995
 
    REVENUES
 
    Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 1996 was $188,000, and no
revenue was earned for  the three months  ended March 31,  1995. Revenue in  the
three  months ended March 31, 1996 resulted primarily from the Company's license
and  development   agreement  with   SmithKline   Beecham.  See   "Business   --
Collaborative Agreements -- SmithKline Beecham Biologicals S.A."
 
    OPERATING EXPENSES
 
    Research  and development  expenses were $3.0  million for  the three months
ended March 31, 1996 and $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 1995.
Included in research and development expenses  for the three months ended  March
31,  1995 is a  one-time charge of  $1.6 million relating  to Aviron's agreement
with the University of Michigan (see  Note 2 of Notes to Financial  Statements).
Without  the one-time charge,  research and development  expenses increased 103%
between the three  months ended March  31, 1996 and  1995. These increases  were
primarily due to increases in research and development staffing, licensing fees,
expenses associated with clinical trials of the Company's cold adapted influenza
vaccine and preclinical testing associated with other programs.
 
    General  and administrative  expenses increased 52%  to $1.1  million in the
three months ended March 31, 1996 from $701,000 in the three months ended  March
31,  1995.  These  increases were  incurred  to support  the  Company's expanded
research and development efforts and facilities, patent and legal expenses,  and
corporate development activities.
 
    NET INTEREST INCOME
 
    The  Company's net interest income increased to $183,000 in the three months
ended March 31, 1996, from $32,000 in the three months ended March 31, 1995. The
increase reflects  the effect  of the  Company's higher  average cash  and  cash
equivalents and short-term investment balances.
 
  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
 
    REVENUES
 
    Total  revenue for 1995 was  $1.7 million, and no  revenue was earned in the
year ended  December 31,  1994. Revenue  in  the year  ended December  31,  1995
resulted  primarily from  the Company's  license and  development agreement with
SmithKline Beecham.  See "Business  --  Collaborative Agreements  --  SmithKline
Beecham Biologicals S.A."
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
    OPERATING EXPENSES
 
    Research  and development  expenses increased 142%  to $10.2  million in the
year ended December 31, 1995  from $4.2 million in  the year ended December  31,
1994.   These  increases  were  primarily  due  to  increases  in  research  and
development staffing, licensing fees (including the one-time charge relating  to
Aviron's  agreement  with  the  University  of  Michigan  discussed  above), and
expenses associated primarily with clinical trials of its cold adapted influenza
vaccine and  preclinical  testing  associated  with  the  herpes  simplex  virus
program.  General and administrative  expenses increased 30%  to $3.3 million in
the year ended December 31,  1995 from $2.5 million  in the year ended  December
31,  1994.  These  increases were  incurred  to support  the  Company's expanded
research and development efforts and facilities, patent and legal expenses,  and
corporate development activities.
 
    NET INTEREST INCOME
 
    The  Company's net  interest income  increased 75%  to $362,000  in the year
ended December 31, 1995, from $207,000 in the year ended December 31, 1994.  The
increase  in 1995 reflects the  effect of the Company's  higher average cash and
cash  equivalents  and  short-term  investment  balances,  offset  by  increased
interest expense related to capital lease obligations.
 
  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1993
 
    OPERATING EXPENSES
 
    Research and development expenses increased 103% to $4.2 million in the year
ended  December 31, 1994, from $2.1 million in the year ended December 31, 1993.
These increases  were primarily  due to  increases in  research and  development
staffing  and preclinical testing. General and administrative expenses increased
33% from $2.5 million in the year ended December 31, 1994, from $1.9 million  in
the  year ended December 31, 1993. These  increases were incurred to support the
Company's expanded research  and development efforts  and facilities and  patent
and legal expenses.
 
    NET INTEREST INCOME
 
    The  Company's net  interest income  increased 18%  to $207,000  in the year
ended December 31, 1994, from $175,000 in the year ended December 31, 1993.  The
increase  reflected the  effect of  the Company's  higher average  cash and cash
equivalents and  short-term  investment  balances, offset  by  interest  expense
related to capital lease obligations in 1994.
 
  NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARD
 
    As  of  December 31,  1995, the  Company  had a  federal net  operating loss
carryforward of approximately $20.0 million  available to offset future  taxable
income, if any. The net operating loss carryforward will expire at various dates
beginning  from  2007 through  2010,  if not  utilized.  Utilization of  the net
operating losses and credits may be subject to substantial annual limitation due
to the "change in ownership" provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in the expiration  of
net  operating losses  and credits  before utilization. See  Note 8  of Notes to
Financial Statements.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    Aviron had cash, cash  equivalents and short-term  investments at March  31,
1996 of approximately $14.5 million. In order to preserve principal and maintain
liquidity,   the  Company's  funds  are   invested  in  United  States  Treasury
obligations,   highly-rated   corporate   obligations   and   other   short-term
investments.
 
    The  Company has financed  its operations since  inception primarily through
private placements of Preferred Stock. Through  March 31, 1996, the Company  had
raised  approximately $38.4  million from such  sales net  of offering expenses.
Cash used in operations  was $3.4 million, $6.1  million, $8.9 million and  $3.0
million  in 1993, 1994, 1995  and the first quarter  of 1996, respectively. Cash
expended for  capital  additions  and  to  repay  lease  financing  arrangements
amounted  to approximately  $593,000, $472,000,  $622,000 and  $659,000 in 1993,
1994 and 1995 and the first  quarter of 1996, respectively. The Company  expects
expenditures for capital
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
additions  will increase  in 1996  as a  result of  the construction  of a pilot
manufacturing facility.  The  Company  expects  expenditures  for  research  and
development,  clinical  trials  and  general  administrative  expenditures  will
continue to increase in  1996 as the Company  develops its products and  expands
its clinical trials.
 
    The  Company anticipates that the proceeds of this offering, and the sale of
Sang-A Shares  together  with  the  interest  thereon,  revenues  from  existing
collaborations,  cash, cash equivalents and  short-term investments, will enable
it to maintain  its current and  planned operations at  least through 1997.  The
Company's  future cash requirements  will depend on  numerous factors, including
continued scientific progress in the  research and development of the  Company's
technology  and vaccine programs, the size and complexity of these programs, the
ability of the  Company to  establish and  maintain collaborative  arrangements,
progress  with  preclinical  testing and  clinical  trials, the  time  and costs
involved in  obtaining regulatory  approvals, the  cost involved  in  preparing,
filing,  prosecuting,  maintaining  and  enforcing  patent  claims,  and product
commercialization activities. The  Company is  seeking additional  collaborative
agreements  with corporate partners and may seek access to the public or private
equity markets. There  can be no  assurance, however, that  any such  agreements
will be entered into or that they will reduce the Company's funding requirements
or  that  additional  funding  will  be  available.  The  Company  expects  that
additional equity or debt  financings will be required  to fund its  operations.
There  can be no assurance that such funds will be available on favorable terms,
if at all. If adequate funds are  not available, the Company may be required  to
delay,  reduce  the  scope of,  or  eliminate one  or  more of  its  research or
development programs or  to obtain funds  through collaborative agreements  with
others  that may  require the  Company to  relinquish rights  to certain  of its
technologies, product candidates  or products that  the Company would  otherwise
seek to develop or commercialize itself, which would materially adversely affect
the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
    The  following  Business section  contains forward-looking  statements which
involve risks  and  uncertainties. The  Company's  actual results  could  differ
materially  from  those anticipated  in  these forward-looking  statements  as a
result of certain factors,  including those set forth  under "Risk Factors"  and
elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
    Aviron  is  a  biopharmaceutical  company  whose  strategy  is  to  focus on
prevention of  disease.  The  Company's  goal  is to  become  a  leader  in  the
discovery,  development, manufacture and marketing  of live virus vaccines which
are sufficiently cost effective  to justify their  use in immunization  programs
targeting  the  general  population.  Live virus  vaccines,  such  as  those for
smallpox, polio, measles, mumps and rubella,  have had a long record of  success
in  preventing, and in some cases eliminating, disease. The Company currently is
analyzing data from Phase I and Phase II clinical trials in children and  adults
of  its  live cold  adapted intranasal  vaccine for  influenza. The  Company has
recently in-licensed a live  intranasal vaccine for  Parainfluenza Virus Type  3
(PIV-3)  which has  been tested  by others  in Phase  I/II clinical  trials. The
Company also is developing a vaccine for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In  addition,
Aviron is using its proprietary "Rational Vaccine Design" technology to discover
new  live  virus  vaccines. Rational  Vaccine  Design involves  the  deletion or
modification of  virulence  proteins,  changes to  the  virus'  genetic  control
signals  to slow down its replication, or addition of information to enhance the
virus' stimulation of the immune system. The Company is applying this technology
to develop candidates  for the prevention  of influenza in  elderly persons  and
diseases  caused by Cytomegalovirus  (CMV), Herpes Simplex  Virus Type 2 (HSV-2)
and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
 
BACKGROUND
 
  PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY IN THE ERA OF MANAGED CARE AND COST CONTAINMENT
 
    Market-based changes  already  underway in  the  United States  health  care
system are dramatically altering prospects for technologies which can be used to
manage  disease or lower the cost of  health care for patients in managed health
plans. Medical cost-containment efforts and the reorganization of United  States
health  care  delivery  into managed  care  systems  are changing  the  basis of
competition  for  producers   of  health  care   products.  Health   maintenance
organization  enrollment was  approximately 54 million  in the  United States in
1995 and is growing rapidly. Decision makers  in the United States, such as  HMO
medical   directors,  clinical   practice  committees,   and  government  health
authorities, are  increasingly evaluating  whether preventive  technologies  are
more  cost  effective than  treating disease  once it  is present.  For example,
vaccinations are widely  used by  managed care organizations  and in  government
programs. In determining whether to use an FDA-approved vaccine, decision makers
consider   whether  it  has  been  recommended  by  the  Advisory  Committee  on
Immunization Practices (the ACIP) of the CDC and whether it is cost effective.
 
    Health care  cost  containment efforts  are  also  evident in  many  of  the
developed  economies outside the United  States. These efforts include physician
budgets in Germany  and general practice  schemes in the  United Kingdom,  where
doctors are given responsibility for the cost of their patients' overall care.
 
  THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND VACCINES
 
    Infections  occur  when  a  pathogenic microorganism,  such  as  a  virus or
bacterium, invades body tissues and begins to replicate. The human immune system
responds with a battery of resources  to contain and eliminate this threat.  The
process begins when specialized cells recognize that molecules on the surface of
invading  pathogens  are foreign  (antigens).  Immune responses  to  contain and
eliminate the threat include:
 
    - ANTIBODIES: Antigens  stimulate  the  immune system  to  produce  specific
      molecules   (antibodies)  which  bind  to  and  neutralize  the  virus  or
      bacterium.
 
    - CELL-MEDIATED RESPONSE: An effective immune response typically also  leads
      to   the  multiplication  of  specific  types  of  white  blood  cells  (a
      cell-mediated response) which have the ability to inactivate the  pathogen
      or to destroy infected cells, thereby limiting replication of the virus or
      bacterium.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    - MUCOSAL   IMMUNITY:  In   addition  to  circulating   antibodies  and  the
      cell-mediated response, antibodies are  produced in the mucous  membranes,
      such  as  those  which  line  the nose  and  throat.  Mucosal  immunity is
      important in  protecting  against pathogens  which  cause disease  in  the
      respiratory,  gastrointestinal and  genitourinary systems,  or which enter
      the body through these portals.
 
    Vaccines are designed to stimulate a  person's immune system through one  or
more  of the above mechanisms to induce memory of specific antigens prior to the
invasion of a  pathogen. This memory  primes the  immune system so  that it  can
inactivate  the specific  pathogen if  encountered again.  This may  be achieved
through one of several techniques,  including introduction of a live  attenuated
(weakened)  virus  or  bacterium,  administration  of  an  antigen  fragment  (a
subunit), or administration of an inactivated (killed) virus.
 
  HISTORY OF VACCINES
 
    The first successful vaccine  against an infectious  disease was created  by
Edward  Jenner who, in 1796, demonstrated that introduction of infected material
from a diseased cow  could be used  to protect humans  from the deadly  smallpox
virus.  Smallpox  vaccination programs  based on  this  live virus  vaccine were
gradually adopted by industrialized countries, and a concerted global effort  by
public health authorities in this century succeeded in eradicating smallpox from
the human population in the 1970s.
 
    Vaccines  against  two life-threatening  bacterial diseases,  diphtheria and
tetanus, came  into  use  early  in this  century.  These  vaccines  consist  of
bacterial  toxins  which  have  been  chemically  inactivated.  These  are often
administered in combination with an  inactivated pertussis bacterium vaccine  to
prevent  whooping cough.  This combination is  known as the  "DTP" vaccine. Just
prior to World  War II, a  live attenuated virus  vaccine was developed  against
yellow  fever,  used  primarily  in  protecting  military  personnel  and  those
traveling to areas where  this disease is  endemic. In the  years after the  war
following  several  widespread polio  epidemics,  Jonas Salk  created  the first
successful polio  vaccine by  growing the  wild-type virus  and inactivating  it
before injection. Salk's vaccine was introduced into widespread use in the early
1950s,  but was supplanted in the United  States and many other countries by the
orally administered  live attenuated  polio virus  vaccine developed  by  Albert
Sabin  and first  introduced in  1961. In the  1960s and  1970s, live attenuated
virus  vaccines  against  measles,  mumps  and  rubella  (German  measles)  were
successfully  developed and recommended by the  ACIP to be included in childhood
immunization programs.
 
    After a period of almost two decades during which no new vaccines came  into
widespread  use, a  genetically engineered subunit  vaccine for  hepatitis B was
introduced in the mid-1980s  and is now part  of the ACIP-recommended  childhood
immunization program. In 1990, a vaccine for bacterial meningitis was also added
to  this program.  Two inactivated vaccines  against the hepatitis  A virus were
approved in  the  United  States in  1995  and  1996. In  1995,  the  ACIP  also
recommended  that children be vaccinated against  chicken pox using a live virus
vaccine recently approved by the FDA.
 
    Current  challenges  for  vaccine  innovation  include  providing  effective
protection  against  the major  infectious diseases  for  which no  vaccines are
currently available and improving on current vaccines to achieve higher efficacy
or greater ease of administration.
 
  TYPES OF VACCINES
 
    LIVE VIRUS VACCINES
 
    Live virus vaccines expose  the immune system to  an attenuated form of  the
virus which is sufficiently infectious to stimulate a lasting immune response to
the  natural (or wild-type) virus.  All of the live  virus vaccines in use today
are strains  derived from  natural  infections of  humans. Attenuation  of  live
viruses,  including polio, yellow fever, measles, mumps and rubella, and chicken
pox  vaccines  was  accomplished  by  "passaging,"  or  propagating,  the  virus
repeatedly  in non-human cells. As a result of this process, viruses may acquire
mutations that decrease  the ability of  the virus to  cause disease in  humans.
After  an  arbitrary  number  of  passages, the  mutated  strain  is  tested for
attenuation in  animal models,  if  available, or  directly in  human  subjects.
Following  assessment  of safety  and immunogenicity  (stimulation of  an immune
response) in a limited number of human subjects, larger-scale trials are used to
demonstrate efficacy in preventing naturally acquired infections.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
    Live  virus  vaccines  mimic  the  natural  disease-causing  infection   and
therefore may activate the same protective mechanisms of the human immune system
as  the  disease itself.  This  process results  in  a balanced  immune response
activating  all  parts  of  the  immune  system  including  systemic  and  local
antibodies  as well  as cell-mediated  immunity. As  a result,  live viruses are
often considered to be more effective than other types of vaccines in  providing
immunity to natural variations in the wild-type viruses which cause disease. For
example,  the live polio vaccine is believed to be more effective in eliminating
wild-type polio  virus  than inactivated  polio  vaccines. The  basis  of  these
advantages  is  that live  vaccines  typically present  all  of the  surface and
internal antigens associated with the natural pathogen. Live virus vaccines  may
also  be  easier  to  administer  through  their  natural  route  of  infection,
intranasally or orally, as in the case of the oral polio vaccine.
 
    However, an attenuated live vaccine  could cause disease resembling  natural
infection,  as  might  occur in  people  with  an immune  system  impaired  by a
congenital disease,  HIV  infection  or  drug  treatment  for  cancer  or  organ
transplantation.  To date, the live virus vaccines in widespread use rarely have
been associated with  significant adverse  events. For example,  the 19  million
doses  of  live attenuated  polio vaccine  administered  annually in  the United
States are thought  to be responsible  for only  eight to 10  cases of  clinical
polio  per  year. To  further  reduce the  number of  these  cases, the  ACIP is
recommending that the inactivated polio vaccine be given for the initial  infant
dose,  now  that wild-type  polio has  been virtually  eradicated in  the United
States.
 
    Live virus strains can change  as they replicate in  human hosts, and it  is
possible  that a  vaccine virus could  revert to  the wild-type characteristics.
This reversion  potential is  a small  but recognized  problem for  some of  the
current  live  vaccines, including  polio.  Finally, there  are  two theoretical
concerns regarding live attenuated viruses.  First, an attenuated vaccine  virus
may exchange genetic information with wild-type strains after immunization, with
the  resulting strain being more dangerous than either alone. Second, the DNA of
a live virus  vaccine could  integrate into  the genome  of the  host and  cause
cancer or other problems in the future.
 
    INACTIVATED AND SUBUNIT VIRUS VACCINES
 
    Inactivated  virus vaccines are produced by killing a virus using chemicals.
Some vaccines,  such  as  the hepatitis  A  vaccine,  are based  on  the  whole,
inactivated  virus.  Other  vaccines  are  the  result  of  various  degrees  of
purification  to  concentrate  certain  surface  glycoproteins  (subunits)  most
responsible  for producing  immunity. A different  approach is used  to make the
current hepatitis B vaccine, the  first successful recombinant subunit  vaccine.
For  this vaccine,  the tools  of molecular  biology were  applied to  clone and
express the  dominant  hepatitis  surface glycoprotein  in  a  yeast  production
system.  Inactivated and  subunit vaccines offer  the advantage of  little or no
risk of  infection  from  the  vaccine  itself,  assuming  the  virus  has  been
adequately   inactivated.  Good  manufacturing   techniques  also  minimize  the
possibility of contamination with other viruses or fragments of DNA which  could
integrate into the recipient's genes.
 
    The  principle  disadvantage of  inactivated and  subunit vaccines  for many
viruses has been a lack of success in creating protective immunity. A successful
subunit vaccine requires  knowledge of which  specific antigens are  responsible
for   providing  protection.  Subunit  and   inactivated  vaccines  may  produce
reasonable levels  of circulating  antibodies, but  are less  able to  stimulate
antibodies  in  the mucosal  sites of  viral entry,  such as  the lining  of the
respiratory, gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts. To improve stimulation of
the cellular components  of the  immune system,  adjuvants (non-specific  immune
stimulants)  are typically added  to inactivated or  subunit vaccines. Only alum
(an aluminum salt preparation) is approved for use as an adjuvant in the  United
States.  Several  new adjuvants  are in  clinical testing  and show  promise for
boosting the  immune  response  to  subunit antigens.  The  mechanism  by  which
adjuvants  work is still poorly understood, so each vaccine-adjuvant combination
must be evaluated in  a trial and  error process in  animal models and  clinical
trials. Finally, certain inactivated vaccines in clinical trials left recipients
more  vulnerable  to  disease after  vaccination,  due to  an  unbalanced immune
response. For example,  in trials of  experimental inactivated vaccines  against
RSV  and measles, some  children were shown to  experience more severe, atypical
disease  when  they  later  acquired  the  natural  viral  infection   following
vaccination.
 
    EMERGING VACCINE TECHNOLOGIES
 
    Several   companies  and  academic  scientists  have  reported  that  direct
injection of DNA  encoding viral  antigens can be  used to  stimulate an  immune
response.   Although   at  an   early  stage,   this  approach   shows  promise.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
However, it is  not clear  whether the  sustained expression  of viral  antigens
obtainable  by  this  approach  is advantageous  in  eliciting  a  better immune
response. In addition, it  is possible that the  administered DNA may  integrate
into the genes of the recipient and cause potential unwanted effects.
 
    Another  new technology for  vaccination is based  on genetic engineering to
modify one  virus so  that it  carries antigens  which may  stimulate an  immune
response  to  protect against  other pathogens.  For  example, pox  virus vector
strains, related  to the  virus used  successfully to  eradicate smallpox,  have
shown  usefulness in  protecting dogs and  cats against rabies.  Other pox virus
vectors are being  evaluated in experimental  models of human  malaria and in  a
hybrid  regimen combining  doses of  a modified  live virus  with a  subunit HIV
vaccine to protect high-risk individuals.
 
AVIRON'S TECHNOLOGY
 
    Aviron's vaccine programs  are based  on both classical  live virus  vaccine
attenuation   techniques  and  the  Company's  proprietary  genetic  engineering
technology.
 
  COLD ADAPTED INFLUENZA TECHNOLOGY
 
    The Company is applying its expertise in the molecular biology of  influenza
to  develop  a  live  virus  vaccine  discovered  using  classical cold-adaption
techniques. This cold adapted influenza  vaccine technology was first  developed
by  Dr. H.F. Maassab at the University  of Michigan in 1967. Dr. Maassab created
attenuated influenza strains  by propagating the  virus in progressively  colder
conditions  until these strains had lost the  ability to grow well at human body
temperature. The  Company has  obtained exclusive  rights to  this cold  adapted
influenza  vaccine technology in all countries of  the world except Japan and is
in the  process  of  obtaining  exclusive rights  in  Japan  for  no  additional
consideration.
 
    The  cold adapted influenza  vaccine technology includes  the master strains
for influenza A and  B, as well  as techniques useful  for updating the  vaccine
each  year according to recommendations of the  CDC and the FDA. Updated strains
are made by mating the master strains with recent strains to obtain viruses with
the attenuated properties of  the cold adapted master  strain and the  antigenic
properties  of  the current  wild-type strain.  This  process is  called genetic
reassortment. After cultured cells  are infected with  two different strains  of
virus,  the eight RNA  genes of influenza mix  at random in the  cells and it is
possible to  select the  two genes  for the  antigens of  the expected  epidemic
strain  and the six remaining  genes from the cold  adapted master donor strain.
The Company has  received the technology  for updating the  cold adapted  master
strains  from the University of  Michigan and has extended  this approach by the
introduction of  Aviron's proprietary  techniques,  including those  of  reverse
genetics,  which  may facilitate  the annual  process  of creating  a reassorted
vaccine.
 
  RATIONAL VACCINE DESIGN
 
    Since the Company's founding, its  core vaccine discovery strategy has  been
to  apply genetic engineering techniques to create live attenuated virus vaccine
candidates  for  targets  where  traditional  discovery  techniques  have   been
inadequate. The Company believes that this "Rational Vaccine Design" approach is
more  flexible and systematic than traditional methods of live vaccine discovery
and is a platform that can be applied to many viral targets and, potentially, to
the creation  of viruses  used in  gene  therapy and  the treatment  of  cancer.
Furthermore,  Aviron believes  that a  particular advantage  of Rational Vaccine
Design is that engineered viruses can be  designed so that they are less  likely
to  revert to wild-type characteristics than classically derived vaccines. Three
ways of implementing this approach are:
 
    - DELETING  OR  MODIFYING  SPECIFIC  VIRAL  GENES  WHICH  ENCODE   VIRULENCE
      PROTEINS.   Virulence  proteins   are  viral  components   thought  to  be
      particularly important  in the  mechanism of  disease, but  which are  not
      required  for  the  virus  to  replicate  and  stimulate  a  strong immune
      response. An example of this strategy is the Company's program to create a
      live attenuated  vaccine  against the  HSV-2  virus which  causes  genital
      herpes.  One of the Company's founders,  Dr. Bernard Roizman, discovered a
      particular protein important
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
      in the ability of HSV-2  to grow in nerve  cells. Since nerve ganglia  are
      the  reservoir  from  which HSV-2  reseeds  itself to  cause  painful skin
      lesions, deletion of the  gene encoding this protein  is the basis of  the
      Company's Rational Vaccine Design program for development of a vaccine for
      this target.
 
    - ALTERING  THE GENETIC  INFORMATION USED  BY THE  VIRUS IN  CONTROLLING ITS
      REPLICATION. An example of this strategy is work by Company scientists  to
      create  live attenuated vaccine candidates  for influenza. Until recently,
      it was impossible  to genetically  engineer vaccine  strains of  influenza
      because  influenza genes are  composed of negative-strand  RNA rather than
      DNA or  positive-strand  RNA.  Dr.  Peter Palese,  one  of  the  Company's
      founders, discovered how to create recombinant negative-strand RNA viruses
      using  reverse  genetics. Company  scientists  have employed  this reverse
      genetics technology  to  engineer  mutations  into  a  gene  used  by  the
      influenza  virus  to  make copies  of  itself. The  resulting  strains are
      attenuated in animal models and at least one strain has been identified as
      a potential candidate for clinical trials.
 
    - ADDING ANTIGENIC INFORMATION DISPLAYED BY THE VACCINE VIRUS. An example of
      this strategy  is  the  Company's  approach to  the  creation  of  a  live
      attenuated  CMV vaccine, which begins with  a vaccine candidate thought to
      be over-attenuated and  thus insufficiently  immunogenic. Aviron  recently
      discovered  genes for certain antigen  structures present in wild-type CMV
      viruses. These genes are being engineered into an over-attenuated  vaccine
      candidate  to create a  potentially more immunogenic  vaccine. The Company
      believes this  technique  of  adding antigen  structures  may  enable  the
      Company  to create combination  vaccines expressing antigens  of more than
      one virus in a single vaccine strain.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    Aviron's objective  is to  become a  leader in  the discovery,  development,
manufacture  and marketing  of live virus  vaccines which  are sufficiently cost
effective to justify their  use in immunization  programs targeting the  general
population. The Company's strategy is to:
 
    ADDRESS    INFECTIOUS   DISEASES   WHICH   MERIT   WIDESPREAD   IMMUNIZATION
PROGRAMS.  The concept of universal immunization is well established for certain
infectious diseases where  safe and  effective vaccines  are already  available,
including  immunization against pathogens such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella
and hepatitis B. For each of its potential products, the Company's objective  is
to  produce vaccine  strains which are  sufficiently safe and  cost effective to
obtain official recommendations for universal use in childhood vaccine  regimens
or, in the case of influenza, annual use in the general population.
 
    APPLY   RATIONAL   VACCINE   DESIGN   TECHNOLOGY  TO   A   RANGE   OF  VIRAL
TARGETS.  Aviron believes that its proprietary genetic engineering  technologies
may  be  used to  create  live attenuated  vaccines for  a  wide range  of viral
targets, such as viruses related to influenza and herpes viruses.
 
    SELECT PROGRAMS AND MARKET VACCINES BASED ON PHARMACOECONOMIC DATA.   Public
health  agencies and  managed care systems  are increasingly  concerned with the
economic impact of potential new mandates for vaccines. In setting its  internal
product  development priorities, the Company considers the costs of implementing
widespread vaccine programs based on its products in relation to potential  cost
savings to the government and managed health care systems and intends to perform
rigorous cost-effectiveness analyses on its products.
 
    IN-LICENSE  PROMISING  VACCINE  TECHNOLOGY.   Aviron  evaluates in-licensing
opportunities and intends to  add programs which  complement the Company's  core
technologies  and  capabilities.  For example,  the  Company  obtained exclusive
rights to the cold adapted influenza  vaccine technology from the University  of
Michigan and the NIH, and to the PIV-3 vaccine from the NIH.
 
    ESTABLISH   COLLABORATIVE  ARRANGEMENTS   TO  ENHANCE   PRODUCT  DEVELOPMENT
EFFORTS.  Aviron intends to enter into collaborative arrangements to gain access
to specific technologies and skills which may accelerate product development and
provide additional financial resources to  support its research and  development
and  commercialization efforts, particularly  outside of the  United States. The
Company has entered into collaborative arrangements with SmithKline Beecham  for
development  of  an  EBV vaccine  and  with  Sang-A for  certain  rights  to the
Company's products in Korea.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
VACCINE PRODUCTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT
 
    The following  table summarizes  Aviron's most  advanced potential  products
under  research  and development.  This table  is qualified  in its  entirety by
reference  to  the  more  detailed  descriptions  appearing  elsewhere  in  this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  COMMERCIAL
      PROGRAM                       VACCINE TYPE                              STATUS (1)          RIGHTS (2)
      ----------------------------  ----------------------------------------  ------------------  --------------
      <S>                           <C>                                       <C>                 <C>
      Influenza
 
        Adults                      Cold adapted live virus                   Phase II Conducted  Aviron
 
        Children                    Cold adapted live virus                   Phase I/II          Aviron
                                                                              Conducted
 
        Elderly                     Cold adapted live virus                   Clinical Trials     Aviron
                                     (co-administered with inactivated        Planned
                                     vaccine)
                                    Genetically engineered live virus         Preclinical         Aviron
 
      Parainfluenza Virus Type 3    Bovine live virus                         IND Planned         Aviron
 
      Epstein-Barr Virus            Recombinant subunit glycoprotein          Preclinical         SmithKline
                                                                                                  Beecham/
                                                                                                  Aviron (3)
 
      Cytomegalovirus               Genetically engineered live virus         Preclinical         Aviron
 
      Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2   Genetically engineered live virus         Preclinical         Aviron
 
      Respiratory Syncytial Virus   Genetically engineered live virus         Research            Aviron
      ----------------
      (1)     "Phase  II   Conducted"  means  Aviron   is  evaluating  data   from  multi-center,  double-blind,
           placebo-controlled clinical trials for safety, immunogenicity and efficacy and the Company intends to
           proceed directly to Phase III clinical trials.
          "Phase  I/II   Conducted"  means   Aviron  is   evaluating  data   from  multi-center,   double-blind,
          placebo-controlled  clinical trials for safety and immunogenicity  in a limited patient population and
          the Company intends to proceed directly to Phase III clinical trials.
          "Clinical Trials Planned" indicates  that no clinical  trials have been conducted  by Aviron to  date.
          Aviron intends to discuss with the FDA its plans to proceed directly to Phase III clinical trials.
          "Preclinical" includes assessment of specific vaccine candidates for growth properties in cell culture
          and for attenuation and immunogenicity in animal models.
          "IND  Planned" indicates that no clinical trials have been conducted by Aviron to date. The Company is
          evaluating the timing and level of commitment for Aviron-sponsored clinical trials.
          "Research" includes  identification of  vaccine  candidates and  approaches  to create  new  candidate
          strains. See "Government Regulation."
      (2)   Commercial rights for Korea  for most listed programs are  licensed to Sang-A. See "-- Collaborative
           Agreements."
      (3)  Worldwide rights licensed to SmithKline Beecham; Aviron retains certain United States co-promotion
           rights.
</TABLE>
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
INFLUENZA
 
    Every year  in mid-  to  late-winter, influenza  spreads across  the  globe,
infecting  an  average  of  approximately  10%  to  20%  of  the  United  States
population. In the  United States,  20 to 50  million cases  of influenza  occur
annually.  Influenza cases  are associated  with symptoms  lasting for  at least
three to five  days, an  average of  approximately three  days of  lost work  or
missed school, and approximately 20,000 deaths each year. Field studies indicate
the attack rate ranges from a low of 10% in persons over age 65 to a high of 36%
in  children  aged one  to 18.  Children are  also a  major factor  in spreading
influenza to  other  population  segments,  including  those  at  high  risk  of
contracting the disease. At the peak of a typical epidemic, reportedly 9% to 22%
of  all  physician  office  visits  are  for  flu-like  symptoms.  Over  90%  of
influenza-related deaths occur  in people over  age 65, but  children under  age
five  and women in the third trimester of  pregnancy are also at higher risk for
serious complications. Several times this  century, influenza has appeared as  a
much more serious pandemic. These major pandemics occur when the influenza virus
undergoes  "antigenic shift"  in which  one influenza  subtype is  replaced by a
different strain  for which  the population  has not  developed antibodies  and,
therefore, for which it is extremely susceptible to infection.
 
    The  variability of certain components of  the influenza virus requires that
the influenza  vaccine  be modified  annually.  The  CDC and  the  World  Health
Organization (the "WHO") maintain a global network which generates data required
to  select strains  for the  coming influenza  season's vaccine  and monitor the
occurrence of especially severe epidemics. Based on these data, the FDA and  the
CDC  discuss circulating influenza strains which are candidates for inclusion in
the following season's  influenza vaccine.  A similar process  is undertaken  in
Europe  by  the  WHO  and  various  national  authorities.  Currently  available
inactivated influenza vaccines  contain three  strains of  influenza virus  (two
strains  of influenza A and one strain  of influenza B) and are therefore called
trivalent vaccines.  Typically one  or sometimes  two of  the strains  in  these
trivalent  vaccines are recommended for updating annually. Current vaccines have
been variously  reported to  be  60% to  80%  effective in  preventing  illness,
pneumonia, hospitalization and death due to complications from influenza.
 
    The  ACIP  has  identified  the  principal  target  groups  for  the current
influenza  vaccine   as   those   at  increased   risk   for   influenza-related
complications:  persons age 65  or older, residents  of chronic-care facilities,
adults and children with  chronic disorders of  the pulmonary or  cardiovascular
system,  adults  and children  who have  required  regular medical  follow-up or
hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic  diseases
or  immunosuppression, and  children and  teenagers receiving  long-term aspirin
therapy and therefore at risk of  developing Reye's syndrome. The next level  of
priority for vaccination identified by the ACIP includes certain groups, such as
health  care  personnel and  household  members (including  children),  that may
transmit influenza to high-risk persons.  Furthermore, the ACIP recommends  that
physicians  administer influenza vaccine to any  person who wishes to reduce the
chance of becoming ill with influenza.
 
    The FDA  estimates  that  over  75  million  influenza  vaccine  doses  were
manfactured  for use in  the United States  in 1995. According  to the CDC, over
half of  the 34  million Americans  over age  65 received  the annual  influenza
vaccine for the 1993 influenza season, up from less than approximately 25% a few
years ago. The Company believes that a lower percentage of high-risk individuals
under  age 65 were vaccinated in 1994,  and that the majority of influenza doses
used in the United States are being administered to healthy adults under age 65,
many of whom participate in voluntary work place immunization programs.  Experts
suggest that very few of the 70 million children under age 18 receive the annual
influenza vaccine.
 
    In  addition  to  the  currently  available  vaccines,  two  oral  drugs are
currently approved  for use  in the  prevention and  treatment of  influenza  A:
amantadine,  which has  been on  the market for  many years,  and rimantidine, a
closely related compound  which produces  fewer side effects.  Both agents  have
been  shown to be effective in reducing  the severity of influenza A disease and
the number of  days of disability,  but are not  effective against influenza  B.
Both  are also recommended for daily use  during the influenza season by certain
high-risk persons for  whom the influenza  vaccine is contraindicated.  However,
there  is a concern that widespread prophylactic  use could lead to emergence of
drug-resistant strains.
 
    AVIRON'S COLD  ADAPTED  INFLUENZA  VACCINE.   The  Company's  most  advanced
program  is based on the live cold adapted influenza vaccine technology licensed
from the University of  Michigan and on a  Cooperative Research and  Development
Agreement  ("CRADA")  with  the  NIH.  The  cold  adapted  influenza  vaccine is
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
currently undergoing  extensive clinical  trials  by Aviron  with a  network  of
NIH-sponsored  investigators.  Prior to  Company-initiated  trials, at  least 65
clinical trials  of the  cold  adapted influenza  vaccine technology  have  been
performed  since 1977, involving more than 15,000 volunteers, of whom over 7,000
received the cold adapted influenza vaccine. See "-- Influenza Clinical Trials."
 
    The Company  intends  to develop  the  cold adapted  influenza  vaccine  for
widespread annual use in children and adults, and for co-administration with the
inactivated  vaccine for improved protection in  the elderly. The quality of the
immune response  induced by  cold adapted  influenza vaccine  differs from  that
induced  by inactivated influenza  vaccines. The cold  adapted influenza vaccine
elicits an  immune response  to multiple  viral proteins  mimicking the  natural
immunobiology  of influenza, whereas  the response to  the classical inactivated
vaccine is directed primarily  to one component of  the virus. Because the  cold
adapted influenza vaccine is delivered as a nasal spray, the Company believes it
would  provide the first practical way to  immunize children on an annual basis.
Children are  an important  target  because, while  the elderly  experience  the
greatest mortality from the annual influenza epidemic, much of the morbidity and
illness  occurs in young children. Children are  also thought to be important in
the spread of influenza in  the population. In addition  to its proposed use  in
physician's  offices,  Aviron believes  that the  nasal  spray delivery  of this
vaccine will enable  it to  be administered  by adults  without special  medical
training,  so that  it will  be practical  to consider  delivery via pharmacies,
schools, day care centers,  and possibly in the  home. However, before  delivery
methods  are  established in  these settings,  the Company  will be  required to
formulate the cold adapted influenza vaccine to ensure stability of the  vaccine
in  such settings. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do
so or that regulatory authorities will approve such delivery methods.
 
    Aviron also is  targeting healthy  adults, many  of whom  are being  offered
influenza  prophylaxis by their employer and  who may prefer Aviron's intranasal
administration to injection. The Company believes that many adults who regularly
receive the inactivated influenza vaccine will select the intranasal vaccine  if
given  the choice, and that people who have avoided "flu shots" in the past will
receive a vaccination if the  intranasal alternative is available. In  addition,
the  Company is developing its vaccine for co-administration by nasal spray with
the inactivated influenza vaccine injection  for the elderly. While efficacy  in
the elderly has not been conclusively demonstrated, nursing home studies suggest
that  simultaneous  administration  of  the  intranasal  cold  adapted influenza
vaccine with an  injection of  the inactivated vaccine  offers added  protection
compared  to administration of the inactivated  vaccine alone. Aviron intends to
seek recommendations from the  ACIP and the American  Academy of Pediatrics  for
use of the cold adapted influenza vaccine in the appropriate population.
 
    The  Company  has completed  enrollment of  259 adults  and 356  children in
multicenter Phase I/II clinical trials designed to show that Aviron's  trivalent
formulation  and nasal spray delivery system  are generally safe, well tolerated
and immunogenic. These studies were followed by a Phase II challenge study in 92
adults. Data  from  these studies  are  under analysis.  Additional  large-scale
clinical  trials are  planned for  the influenza  seasons of  1996 through 1998,
although FDA  approval  will  be  required  before  these  clinical  trials  can
commence. In addition, the Company intends to discuss with the FDA its plans for
Phase  III clinical trials to demonstrate efficacy of the co-administration with
the inactivated influenza  vaccine in the  elderly. No assurances  can be  given
that the Company will commence clinical trials as planned, or that if commenced,
such  trials can be successfully completed on a timely basis, if at all. See "--
Influenza Clinical Trials -- Clinical Trials by Aviron."
 
    AVIRON'S NEXT-GENERATION  GENETICALLY  ENGINEERED INFLUENZA  VACCINE.    The
Company  is using its proprietary reverse genetics technology to engineer future
generations of influenza vaccines which are designed to the needs of various age
groups in the  population. The Company's  first priority is  to develop  strains
which  offer  improved  protection  in the  elderly  compared  to  the currently
available inactivated vaccines. Since most  elderly persons have had  experience
with several influenza infections in their lifetime, pre-existing antibodies may
prevent  the cold adapted virus  from multiplying sufficiently to  be used as an
alternative to the currently available vaccines in the elderly. To address  this
problem,  Aviron  scientists  have  created  new  strains  of  influenza vaccine
candidates which have been evaluated and  shown to be attenuated in ferrets,  an
animal  model for influenza.  Vaccinated animals were  protected from subsequent
challenge with a virulent strain of influenza. Some of the Company's genetically
engineered strains have been found to better replicate in the upper  respiratory
tract  of these animals than the cold adapted influenza vaccine, while retaining
the property of restricted growth in the lower respiratory tract. Work with  the
cold adapted influenza vaccine has shown that
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
these  features are associated with  desirable characteristics of attenuation in
humans. However, animal model results are not necessarily predictive of  results
in  humans. The Company believes that these strains may be more immunogenic than
the cold adapted vaccine and, therefore, more suitable for use as a  single-dose
vaccine for the elderly. No assurance can be given that the Company will be able
to  commence or successfully complete  clinical trials on a  timely basis, if at
all.
 
PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS TYPE 3
 
    PIV-3 is a common respiratory virus of childhood which causes croup,  cough,
fever  and pneumonia. Every year, primarily during the spring and summer months,
PIV-3 infects infants, children and adults.  In the United States, at least  60%
of  children are infected  by the time they  reach two years of  age, and 80% by
four years of age. These cases  are associated with symptoms lasting from  three
to  eight days and approximately 17,000  hospitalizations per year. Children are
also a major  factor in  introducing PIV-3  infection into  the family  setting.
PIV-3  frequently  reoccurs  and  children  typically  experience  two  to three
infections of decreasing severity. Unlike influenza, PIV-3 undergoes only a very
minor degree of variation in the surface proteins from year to year;  therefore,
a PIV-3 vaccine will not require annual updates.
 
    Both  serum and nasal  antibodies directed to PIV-3  surface proteins play a
role in protection against PIV-3 disease.  It is thought that protection of  the
lower  respiratory tract from PIV-3 replication  and disease requires high serum
antibody levels, whereas resistance to infection and protection against  disease
in the upper respiratory tract requires mucosal antibodies in the nose. There is
currently  no available vaccine to protect  against PIV-3 infection, and no drug
for treatment of PIV-3 disease.
 
    AVIRON'S LIVE PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS TYPE 3 VACCINE.  The Company's live  PIV-3
vaccine  program utilizes bovine PIV-3 (bPIV-3) vaccine technology licensed from
the NIH.  Use of  bPIV-3 as  a vaccine  to protect  humans against  human  PIV-3
strains  is based on the  successful strategy first used  by Jenner for smallpox
vaccination, in  which  an animal  virus  is used  to  protect humans  from  the
analogous  human virus. It is thought that the attenuation of bPIV-3 in primates
is due to mutations sustained throughout its genome during its long evolutionary
adaptation to the bovine host.
 
    Prior to  the Company's  in-licensing of  the bPIV-3  vaccine, it  had  been
tested in Phase I/II clinical trials in adults, children and infants. In all age
groups,   the  bPIV-3  vaccine  appeared  satisfactorily  attenuated,  safe  and
genetically stable.  Eighty-five percent  of seronegative  children (six  to  60
months  of age) were infected  by the tested dose,  and 61% of bPIV-3 recipients
developed a level  of antibody  to PIV-3 previously  associated with  protection
from disease. The vaccine strain infected 92% of infants younger than six months
of  age, even in the presence  of maternally-derived PIV-3 antibodies. Infection
with the bPIV-3 vaccine stimulated an immune  response to PIV-3 in 42% of  these
young  infants. The Company is evaluating the timing and level of commitment for
Aviron-sponsored Phase II clinical  trials of bPIV-3  using the existing  bPIV-3
vaccine supply produced and tested for the NIAID. There can be no assurance that
this  vaccine supply will be  suitable for clinical trials  or that these or any
additional  clinical  trials  will  be  commenced  or,  if  commenced,  will  be
successful,  or  that  the Company  will  develop successfully  and  receive FDA
approval of its bPIV-3 vaccine.
 
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS
 
    Epstein-Barr virus,  a herpes  virus that  causes infectious  mononucleosis,
infects  most people at some  point in their lifetime.  Infection at a young age
may  cause  mild   symptoms,  but  the   debilitating  syndrome  of   infectious
mononucleosis  is most  common where  infection first  occurs in  adolescence or
young adulthood via exchange of saliva. Sore throat and swollen neck glands  are
followed  by a period of  fatigue and lethargy which can  last for weeks or even
months. Approximately 10% of  high school and  college students become  infected
with  EBV each  year in  the United States,  of which  half or  more may develop
infectious  mononucleosis.  The   disease  usually  runs   its  course   without
significant  medical  intervention;  however, the  long  duration  of infectious
mononucleosis can be a serious problem for high school and college students  and
workers.  Enlargement  of  the liver  and  spleen  are also  common,  so doctors
typically prohibit  participation  in  athletic activities  to  prevent  serious
injuries. EBV is one of the viruses implicated as a contributing cause of cancer
in  humans, including  Hodgkin's disease,  post-transplant and  other lymphomas,
nasopharyngeal carcinoma (the most common head and neck cancer in large  regions
of Asia) and Burkitt's lymphoma (a significant disease in Africa).
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
    The  Company is  developing a  subunit vaccine for  EBV based  on the single
surface antigen responsible for most  of the neutralizing antibodies  stimulated
by  EBV infection. Quantities of this  antigen have been expressed, purified and
evaluated in a rabbit model, where preliminary results indicate that the antigen
is immunogenic when combined with an adjuvant. In 1995, the Company entered into
a worldwide  collaboration with  SmithKline  Beecham, excluding  Korea,  whereby
SmithKline Beecham will fund the development of Aviron's EBV vaccine in exchange
for certain marketing rights. See "-- Collaborative Agreements."
 
CYTOMEGALOVIRUS
 
    Most  people become  infected with CMV,  another member of  the herpes virus
family, at some  time in  their life, and  in the  United States 40%  to 60%  of
infections  occur in childhood.  These infections are  typically asymptomatic or
result in mild illness with sore  throat, headache, fatigue and swollen  glands.
CMV   also   can   cause  an   infectious   mononucleosis   syndrome  clinically
indistinguishable from  that associated  with EBV  infection. More  serious  CMV
disease  is also  often associated  with a weakened  immune system,  as is often
found in AIDS, cancer and transplant patients, which may be due to  reactivation
of CMV acquired early in life or a primary infection. In addition, if a woman is
first  exposed to  this virus  early in  pregnancy, the  resulting infection can
cause serious fetal  abnormalities. Approximately 40,000  infants in the  United
States  are infected each year,  resulting in varying levels  of brain damage or
deafness in  over 10%  of  these infants.  Congenital  CMV syndrome  results  in
significant expenditures for neonatal intensive care.
 
    No vaccine currently is available for CMV. Antibodies from persons with high
levels  of  immunity are  available  in the  form  of hyperimmune  globulins for
certain high-risk  patients, but  use of  these products  can be  costly and  of
limited  efficacy. The Company believes  that widespread vaccination of children
with a safe effective CMV vaccine is justified for the same reason that children
in the United States are vaccinated against rubella: to protect unborn  children
from  birth defects by  reducing the risk  that mothers are  exposed to infected
children.
 
    A live attenuated CMV vaccine candidate, known as the Towne strain, has been
tested by third parties in several  hundred people. This strain was reported  to
be well tolerated, but did not provide sufficient protection in pregnant mothers
of  children in day care  who were at risk for  congenital CMV, or in transplant
recipients at risk  of acquiring CMV  from the donor  organs. Aviron  scientists
have  discovered differences between the genome of  the Towne strain and that of
wild-type CMV.  Based on  this  knowledge, the  Company  has used  its  Rational
Vaccine  Design approach to create new  recombinant CMV vaccine candidates in an
attempt to strike  the appropriate balance  between attenuation and  protection.
Some  of  these vaccine  candidates have  been made  and tested  by Aviron  in a
specialized animal model. The Company expects  to select a vaccine candidate  to
prevent  CMV infection for testing in clinical trials. However, no assurance can
be given  that the  Company will  be  successful in  identifying a  CMV  vaccine
candidate.
 
HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE 2
 
    It  is estimated that HSV-2, the cause of genital herpes, infects one out of
five persons in the United States.  Only one-third of those infected  experience
symptoms, but a significant portion of new infections are caused by transmission
from  asymptomatic  individuals. Genital  herpes is  a non-lethal  but incurable
disease that  invades  the  body once  and  settles  in for  a  lifetime,  often
manifesting  its presence several times a year with painful sores in the genital
area. It is estimated that  there are over 700,000  new cases of genital  herpes
per  year in  the United States,  and that  the disease is  responsible for over
500,000 physician visits per year.
 
    Genital herpes also can be acquired  by newborn babies as they pass  through
the  birth  canal of  infected mothers.  Neonatal  herpes simplex  infection can
result in serious damage to the brain and many other organs. Even with  therapy,
over  20% of the 1,500 infants infected each  year in the United States die, and
many of the survivors  are seriously impaired. In  addition, efforts to  prevent
neonatal  herpes contribute significantly to the  cost of the disease. Thousands
of women in the United  States with a history of  genital herpes are advised  to
undergo  a Cesarean  section when  prenatal cultures  or examinations  suggest a
recurrence near the time of delivery.  HSV-2 infection can also lead to  serious
and  fatal complications in adults  with impaired immune systems  due to AIDS or
drug therapy for organ transplants.
 
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<PAGE>
    The most widely used drug therapy for HSV-2 disease is acyclovir  (Zovirax),
which  has been shown to  reduce the severity and  duration of herpetic lesions,
although most patients treated still experience symptoms for several days.  When
taken  several times a day  as a prophylaxis for  HSV-2, acyclovir also has been
shown to reduce  the frequency of  recurrences. Several additional  therapeutics
are  available  or  are in  the  late  stages of  clinical  trials,  and several
prophylactic vaccines are in clinical  trials; however, no vaccine currently  is
available  to prevent genital  herpes. At least  two companies are  in Phase III
clinical trials  of  subunit vaccines  for  the primary  prevention  of  genital
herpes.
 
    Aviron is using its Rational Vaccine Design approach to create an injectable
live  attenuated vaccine to be  used in uninfected children  and young adults to
prevent genital herpes. Two of the  Company's founders, Dr. Bernard Roizman  and
Dr.  Richard Whitley, in  collaboration with Pasteur  Merieux Serums et Vaccins,
developed a prototype live herpes vaccine based on an oral herpes virus  (HSV-1)
backbone.  After extensive preclinical testing, the  virus was tested in humans;
however, the immune response following vaccination was deemed insufficient. This
insufficiency was attributed  to the use  of the HSV-1  backbone from which  too
many important genes had been deleted, thus rendering the virus over-attenuated.
Aviron  has licensed this technology, along with patents covering strategies for
more specific deletions, from ARCH Development Corporation. Aviron has used this
technology to create live vaccine candidates  using an HSV-2 backbone, which  it
currently  is evaluating  in preclinical  models. Several  candidates have shown
attenuation in various rodent models, as  well as efficacy in protecting  guinea
pigs  and primates  from challenge  with a lethal  dose of  wild-type HSV-2. The
Company intends to use the  results of animal studies  to select these or  other
strains  under development  for evaluation in  clinical trials. There  can be no
assurance, however,  that the  Company will  commence or  successfully  complete
clinical trials on a timely basis, if at all.
 
    In  July  1996, Aviron  licensed certain  of its  patent rights  covering or
related to the use of  HSV-2 for treatment of cancer  and for gene therapy,  but
excluding  use for  vaccines, to  a private  Canadian corporation.  In exchange,
Aviron received  shares of  capital stock  and warrants  to purchase  shares  of
capital   stock,  representing  in  the   aggregate  approximately  27%  of  the
outstanding equity securities of such company on a fully-diluted basis after the
first round of financing. Prior to the execution of this agreement, this company
had no employees and  had conducted no material  operations. Aviron is under  no
obligation to fund development of this technology.
 
RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS
 
    RSV is the major cause of lower respiratory tract illness in the very young,
responsible  for over 90,000 hospitalizations and  more than 4,000 deaths a year
in the United States. Infection  is manifested as cough  and fever and, in  some
cases,  pneumonia. While RSV infection can occur  at any time of year, epidemics
generally occur in the winter. Most cases  are in children under age four,  with
the peak of severe illness under six months of age, particularly in infants with
pre-existing  heart and lung disease. No vaccine for RSV currently is available,
although certain third parties  are testing a cold  adapted live attenuated  RSV
vaccine  in infants.  Available drug  therapy is  reserved for  the most serious
cases as it  has significant side  effects. Aviron is  developing a  genetically
engineered  live attenuated virus vaccine for  RSV using its proprietary reverse
genetics technology. Aviron's objective  is to use this  technology to create  a
number  of live virus  vaccine candidates which  can be tested  in animal models
before selecting a candidate for testing in humans. However, no assurance can be
given that the Company will be successful in identifying a vaccine candidate.
 
INFLUENZA CLINICAL TRIALS
 
CLINICAL TRIALS CONDUCTED BY OTHERS
 
    The Company's most  advanced vaccine product  is based on  the cold  adapted
influenza  vaccine technology licensed  from the University  of Michigan and the
NIH. The  Company has  obtained from  the  NIH and  the University  of  Michigan
exclusive  rights  to  trial results  and  data  from the  work  at  the Vaccine
Treatment Evaluation Units (the "VTEUs")  and Wyeth-Ayerst. Aviron has  reviewed
the  data from  over 65  previous clinical  trials of  influenza vaccine viruses
derived from the University of Michigan master strains. These studies, performed
since 1976, involved more  than 15,000 volunteers, of  whom over 7,000  received
the  cold  adapted influenza  vaccine. Most  of these  trials were  conducted by
academic investigators to explore the biology of the
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
vaccines and were not designed to support an application to the FDA for approval
to market  a product.  Each of  the 15  vaccine strains  that were  tested  were
derived   from   the  master   strains   and  typically   corresponded   to  the
contemporaneous inactivated influenza vaccine for the year of testing.
 
    Those who received the cold adapted vaccine ranged in age from two months to
over 80 years.  More than  50 of  these trials  studied strains  of influenza  A
vaccine,  involving more  than 13,000 volunteers,  and 15 of  the trials studied
strains of influenza  B vaccines, involving  approximately 2,200 volunteers.  In
the aggregate, these clinical trials involved over 2,000 children. Nearly all of
these   trials  used   monovalent  (one   strain)  or   bivalent  (two  strains)
formulations, containing only one or two  of the three strains usually found  in
the  current trivalent inactivated vaccine. These  trials used either placebo or
an inactivated virus vaccine  as controls. In  these clinical trials,  trivalent
formulations  were administered to  about 350 adults and  200 children. The cold
adapted influenza vaccine  was given in  most of these  clinical trials as  nose
drops, although in some instances it was given as a nasal spray.
 
    The  effectiveness  of  the  cold adapted  influenza  vaccine  in preventing
influenza infection in adults and children has been evaluated in seven adult and
three pediatric challenge  studies. Six  of these adult  challenge studies  were
placebo-controlled and involved 254 seronegative (relatively low levels of prior
antibodies  to  the  influenza  strains  used  in  the  study)  adults  who were
challenged within six  months of vaccination.  A challenge study  is a  clinical
trial  in  which,  typically, 20  to  30  adult volunteers  are  given wild-type
influenza by  nose drops,  one to  two months  following immunization  with  the
experimental or control vaccine preparation. Compared to placebo rates, the cold
adapted  influenza strains  resulted in significant  reduction (66%  to 100%) in
systemic illness compared to the placebo group and a reduction (17% to 100%)  in
infection  as  measured by  evidence of  challenge  virus replication,  or virus
shedding, in the  nose of the  recipient. Two  of these six  studies included  a
comparison  group of subjects treated with the inactivated virus vaccines. While
these studies  did  not  have  a  sufficient number  of  patients  to  detect  a
statistical  difference between the  cold adapted and  inactivated vaccines, the
cold adapted vaccine protection rates were  equal or better than those seen  for
the  inactivated vaccine in each of the  five studies. In one study where adults
were challenged seven  months after  immunization, less protection  was seen  as
measured  by  infection or  any illness  for both  inactivated and  cold adapted
vaccines. However, protection  rates against  systemic illness,  such as  fever,
were 79% to 100% for the cold adapted vaccine and 67% to 84% for the inactivated
vaccine.
 
    Children  are challenged  in such studies  using the  cold adapted influenza
vaccine as  the  challenge  virus  rather than  virulent  wild-type  virus.  The
endpoint  measured in children is protection  from infection, defined as vaccine
virus growth  in  the nose  after  challenge. Of  the  three  placebo-controlled
studies  in  86 children,  prior immunization  with  the cold  adapted influenza
vaccine was associated with a significant reduction (52% to 100%) in the percent
of children infected with the challenge  virus compared to placebo. In the  only
children's  study that  included a comparison  to inactivated  vaccine, the cold
adapted vaccine  resulted in  a 52%  reduction in  virus shedding,  whereas  the
inactivated vaccine reduced shedding by 6% compared to the placebo.
 
    Cold  adapted influenza vaccines also have been tested in field trials where
children and adults were  vaccinated before the influenza  season, and are  then
followed  during  the next  six  months in  order  to assess  protection against
influenza disease.  The  largest  study  was  conducted  over  four  consecutive
influenza seasons. Approximately 1,500 children and adults from ages three to 65
were  randomly  assigned to  each arm  of this  double-blind, placebo-controlled
study. This study  design only allowed  comparison of the  inactivated and  cold
adapted   influenza  A   components.  Both   vaccines  were   considered  to  be
well-tolerated, with slightly increased redness and tenderness at the  injection
site  in those  receiving the  inactivated vaccine  and slightly  increased sore
throat or runny  nose, lethargy and  aches in those  receiving the vaccine  nose
drops.  This  study  showed that  both  cold adapted  and  inactivated influenza
vaccines were  well  tolerated  and  reduced  infection  and  morbidity  due  to
influenza  A.  The  relative efficacy  of  the  two vaccines  differed  from one
epidemic year to another and according  to which measurement was used to  assess
efficacy.  As measured by  rises in circulating  antibodies during the influenza
season  (seroconversion),  the  inactivated  vaccine  appeared  more  effective.
However, it is not clear how well this correlates with actual protection, as the
cold   adapted  and   inactivated  vaccines   both  protected   recipients  from
culture-positive disease at rates  which did not differ  by an amount which  was
statistically significant.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
CLINICAL TRIALS BY AVIRON
 
    The  Company intends  to conduct  additional clinical  trials to demonstrate
safety and efficacy  of its cold  adapted influenza vaccine.  While the  Company
believes  that it can use  the previous data to  support its regulatory filings,
the Company's use of the previous trial data to establish safety and efficacy of
its proposed vaccine is limited because very few of the clinical trials involved
a trivalent vaccine delivered through a nasal spray. The additional studies will
relate to the safety of the formulation as well as the safety of its delivery by
intranasal spray. Aviron enrolled a total of 615 patients in Phase I/II clinical
trials and 92 patients in  a Phase II challenge study  in five VTEUs as part  of
the Company's CRADA with the NIH.
 
    The  first study, conducted at three university research laboratories, was a
safety and  immunogenicity study  involving 259  healthy adults.  Patients  were
randomly  assigned to receive  either Aviron's trivalent  cold adapted influenza
vaccine by nasal spray or nose drops,  or placebo by nasal spray or nose  drops.
No  serious adverse events were seen in  any subjects. In a preliminary analysis
based on approximately 80% of the patients enrolled, there were no statistically
significant differences in  the occurrence  of fever, sore  throat, runny  nose,
cough,  headache or any  other potential reaction assessed  in the study between
the vaccine or  placebo or between  the different types  of administration.  The
Company is in the process of assessing additional safety and immunogenicity data
from this study.
 
    Two  hundred thirty-eight  children between the  ages of 18  months and five
years were enrolled at four VTEUs and  118 children were enrolled at the  Center
for   Vaccine  Development  in  Santiago,  Chile,  in  a  Phase  I/  II  safety,
immunogenicity and dose-escalation  study. The study  design and endpoints  were
similar  to the adult  study, except that  the initial phases  used a dose lower
than that given to adults. No serious  adverse events were seen in any  subjects
in  any  of the  three phases  of the  dose escalation.  Based on  a statistical
analysis of safety data by an NIH-appointed data monitoring and safety committee
following each  of the  escalating  dose phases  of  the children's  study,  the
Company received notification from the committee that it had no objection to the
Company  proceeding with a  larger-scale Phase III pivotal  trial in children at
the highest dose  tested. The  Company intends  to initiate  such a  large-scale
field  trial in the second  half of the year. However,  the FDA must review data
from its completed Phase I/II trials  before the Company can enroll subjects  in
the  pivotal trial. The Company intends to enroll approximately 900 children who
will be vaccinated with either the  cold adapted influenza vaccine or a  placebo
and observed for evidence of illness or infection during the 1996-1997 influenza
season  and revaccinated and observed during  the 1997-1998 influenza season. In
these trials, the  Company also  intends to vaccinate  children enrolled  before
October  1, 1996 a second  time, 45 to 70  days after initial vaccination. Those
vaccinated for the first time on or after October 1, 1996 will receive a  single
dose. There can be no assurance that the FDA will approve the Company's protocol
for  Phase III pivotal  trials or, if  approved, that the  Company will commence
clinical trials as planned or that the FDA will not require additional Phase  II
clinical data prior to commencing Phase III clinical trials.
 
    Aviron's   trivalent  intranasal  spray  formulation  of  the  cold  adapted
influenza vaccine also  has been tested  in a  Phase II challenge  study at  two
VTEUs  involving ninety-two  healthy young  adults. Subjects  were randomized to
receive either  the trivalent  cold adapted  intranasal vaccine,  the  trivalent
inactivated vaccine injection or a placebo. There were no serious adverse events
attributed  to the  study vaccine seen  in any  subjects. The Company  is in the
process of  analyzing safety  and  efficacy data  from this  study.  Preliminary
analysis  of  clinical  illness and  viral  shedding following  exposure  to the
challenge virus indicates that a lower  than expected percentage of subjects  in
the  placebo  group experienced  influenza-like illness  than  had been  seen in
previous challenge studies. The Company believes that this may have been due  to
a  problem with the challenge virus used to produce influenza in the subjects or
to a  problem  with selection  of  subjects based  on  their prior  exposure  to
influenza.  Therefore, the Company believes that the challenge study is unlikely
to show statistically significant efficacy on the primary endpoint of preventing
laboratory-confirmed influenza. Regardless  of the  results of  this study,  the
Company  intends to discuss with the FDA  its plans to proceed directly to Phase
III clinical trials  in adults and  does not intend  to conduct other  challenge
studies.
 
    Additional  trials in children,  adults and the elderly  will be required to
assess the safety and efficacy of the Company's cold adapted influenza  vaccine.
There can be no assurance that these or any additional trials will be successful
or  that the Company will  successfully develop and receive  FDA approval of its
cold adapted influenza vaccine.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS
 
LIVE VIRUSES AS VECTORS
 
    Aviron  believes that its virus engineering technology may be used to create
strains which carry "foreign" genes and are able to deliver genetic or antigenic
information to specific  tissues in  the host. For  example, it  is possible  to
engineer  antigens  from  other  viruses into  influenza,  as  has  already been
demonstrated for small antigenic  regions from agents such  as HIV and  malaria.
RSV  and PIV-3 are two other important  causes of childhood infections which may
be targeted by using the influenza virus as a vector to deliver antigens.
 
    Members of the  herpes virus  family may also  serve as  vectors to  deliver
antigens  to  make vaccines  which  protect against  other  viruses. Due  to the
natural properties  of  this  virus,  it  may  be  useful  to  delivery  genetic
information to the central nervous system. Aviron is considering entering into a
collaboration  to develop  the Company's proprietary  technology for  the use of
herpes simplex virus as a vector in gene therapy. There can be no assurance that
the Company will  be able to  enter into  a collaboration or  that the  Company,
alone or with others, will be successful in developing this technology.
 
MODIFIED HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUSES TO TREAT BRAIN CANCER
 
    The  Company's proprietary technology  to modify herpes  simplex viruses has
been evaluated by  others in animal  models for the  treatment of brain  cancer.
Malignant  glioma is  the most  lethal of the  common tumors  originating in the
brain. In spite  of surgical therapy,  radiotherapy and chemotherapy,  five-year
survival  rates in humans of approximately 5%  are seen. Many new therapies have
been   investigated,    including   radiation,    hyperthermia,    phototherapy,
immunotherapy,  novel drug  delivery for chemotherapy  and gene  therapy. Two of
Aviron's founders, Dr.  Richard Whitley  and Dr. Bernard  Roizman, modified  the
herpes  simplex virus using genetic engineering and have tested this virus in an
animal model of malignant glioma. Preliminary  results show that tumor size  was
reduced   by  the  modified  viruses,  resulting  in  longer  life  and  reduced
neurological deficit for the treated animals. However, no assurance can be given
that the Company will be successful in developing this technology.
 
MANUFACTURING
 
    All of the  vaccine material being  used in the  Company's current  clinical
trials  is being supplied by  Evans Medical Limited, a  subsidiary of Medeva plc
("Evans"). Evans is one  of the four  companies licensed by  the FDA to  produce
influenza vaccine for sale in the United States. Evans has also agreed to supply
clinical  vaccine  material  for  the 1996-1997  influenza  season.  The Company
currently does  not  have facilities  to  manufacture products  for  large-scale
clinical   trials  or  in  commercial  quantities   and  has  no  experience  in
commercial-scale manufacturing.  To  manufacture its  products  for  large-scale
clinical trials or on a commercial scale, the Company will have to build or gain
access  to a large-scale manufacturing facility which will require a significant
amount of funds. The production of the Company's cold adapted influenza  vaccine
is  subject to the availability of a large number of pathogen-free hen eggs, for
which there  are  currently a  limited  number of  suppliers.  Contamination  or
disruption  of  this source  of  supply would  adversely  affect the  ability to
manufacture the Company's cold adapted  influenza vaccine. In addition, to  make
the  vaccine  available  for  clinical trials  or  commercial  sales  before the
influenza season,  the Company  must successfully  modify the  vaccine within  a
six-month period to include selected strains for a particular year.
 
    The  Company  currently is  considering  whether to  construct manufacturing
facilities capable of  producing both pilot-scale  and commercial quantities  of
its   potential  vaccine  products.   In  April  1996,   the  Company  completed
construction of  a  pilot  manufacturing  facility  for  its  potential  vaccine
products  other than  cold adapted influenza.  Funding was  obtained through the
Company's existing capital lease line  of credit. The scale-up of  manufacturing
for   commercial  production  will  require  the  Company  to  develop  advanced
manufacturing techniques and rigorous process controls. Furthermore, the Company
will be required to register its facility  with the FDA and with the  California
Department  of  Health  Services  and  will  be  subject  to  state  and federal
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
inspections  confirming   the  Company's   compliance  with   cGMP   regulations
established  by the FDA. However, no assurance can be given as to the ability of
the Company  to  produce commercial  quantities  of its  potential  products  in
compliance with applicable regulations or at an acceptable cost, or at all.
 
    The  Company is alternatively considering  the use of contract manufacturers
for the commercial production of its potential products. The Company is aware of
only a limited number  of manufacturers which it  believes have the ability  and
capacity  to  manufacture its  potential  products, including  the  cold adapted
influenza vaccine,  in a  timely manner.  There  can be  no assurance  that  the
Company  would  be  able  to  contract  with  any  of  these  companies  for the
manufacture of  its products  on acceptable  terms, if  at all.  If the  Company
enters into an agreement with a third-party manufacturer, it will be required to
relinquish  control of the  manufacturing process, which  might adversely affect
the Company's  results of  operations. Furthermore,  a third-party  manufacturer
also  will be required to manufacture  the Company's products in compliance with
state and federal regulations. Failure  of any such third-party manufacturer  to
comply with state and federal regulations and to deliver the required quantities
on  a  timely  basis  and at  commercially  reasonable  prices  would materially
adversely affect  the Company's  business, financial  condition and  results  of
operations.  No assurance can be  given that the Company,  alone or with a third
party, will be able to make the transition to commercial-scale production of its
potential products successfully, if at all,  or that if successful, the  Company
will be able to maintain such production.
 
    In  November 1995,  the Company and  Evans entered into  a manufacturing and
development agreement  (the "Evans  Agreement"). Under  the terms  of the  Evans
Agreement,  Evans is performing  the development of  a manufacturing process for
production of a cold adapted influenza vaccine and will produce such vaccine  in
sufficient  quantities to enable the Company to conduct its planned field trials
and large-scale clinical trials of the vaccine, subject to certain  limitations.
In  addition, in the event that the  Company seeks to offer manufacturing rights
to a third party, Evans has a right of first negotiation to supply a portion  of
the  Company's  commercial  requirements  for the  vaccine  in  certain European
markets. The  Company also  granted  Evans a  right  of first  negotiation  with
respect  to distribution  rights for the  vaccine in Europe.  After December 31,
1996, either party may terminate the  Evans Agreement upon six months notice  to
the other party.
 
MARKETING AND SALES
 
    The  current purchasers of  vaccines are principally  physicians, large HMOs
and state and  federal government  agencies. However, the  United States  health
care  system is undergoing significant changes  and the relative proportion that
each group  will  represent  in  the  future will  depend  on  factors  such  as
legislative  changes and the  economy. The Company intends  to sell its products
directly to HMOs and state and federal health care agencies, and to other buyers
through partners with strong capabilities  in local markets. Outside the  United
States,  the Company plans to sell  its potential products through collaborative
agreements  with   strategic   partners.   Aviron  intends   to   use   rigorous
cost-effectiveness  analysis as a guide for  its pricing strategy and in support
of its marketing plans.
 
    The Company currently has no marketing, sales or distribution  capabilities.
To  market any  products, Aviron  must either obtain  the assistance  of a third
party with a suitable distribution system, develop a direct sales and  marketing
staff  of its own or combine the efforts  of a third party with its own efforts.
Other than SmithKline Beecham and Sang-A, the Company to date has no  agreements
for marketing or distributing its potential products.
 
    The  success and commercialization of the Company's products is dependent in
part upon  the ability  of the  Company to  maintain and  enter into  additional
collaborative  agreements with  corporate partners for  the development, testing
and marketing of certain  of its vaccines  and upon the  ability of these  third
parties to perform their responsibilities. Although Aviron believes that parties
to  any  such  arrangements would  have  an  economic motivation  to  succeed in
performing  their  contractual  responsibilities,  the  amount  and  timing   of
resources  devoted to  these activities  will not be  within the  control of the
Company. There can  be no  assurance that  any such  agreements or  arrangements
would  be available  on terms acceptable  to the  Company, if at  all, that such
third parties would perform their obligations  as expected, or that any  revenue
would  be derived from  such arrangements. If  Aviron is not  able to enter into
such   agreements   or    arrangements,   it   could    encounter   delays    in
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
introducing  its potential products  into the market  or be forced  to limit the
scope of  its  commercialization  activities.  If the  Company  were  to  market
products directly, significant additional expenditures, management resources and
time  would  be required  to  develop a  marketing  and sales  staff  within the
Company. In addition, the Company would  also be competing with other  companies
that  currently have experienced and well-funded marketing and sales operations.
There can be no  assurance that the  Company will be able  to establish its  own
marketing  and sales  force or  that any  such force,  if established,  would be
successful.
 
COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENTS
 
    The Company's strategy for  the development, clinical trials,  manufacturing
and  commercialization  of  certain  of its  products  includes  maintaining and
entering  into  various  collaborations  with  corporate  partners,   licensors,
licensees and others. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
maintain existing collaborative agreements, negotiate collaborative arrangements
in  the future on  acceptable terms, if  at all, or  that any such collaborative
arrangements will  be successful.  To  date the  Company  has entered  into  the
following collaborative agreements.
 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES -- PARAINFLUENZA VIRUS
TYPE 3
 
    In May 1996, the Company obtained exclusive rights from the NIAID of the NIH
to  certain biological materials and clinical  trial data for its PIV-3 program.
The NIH granted to  the Company exclusive rights  in specific strains of  bovine
parainfluenza  virus (the  "Licensed Materials") to  develop, test, manufacture,
use and  sell products  for vaccination  against human  parainfluenza virus  and
other  human and animal diseases ("Licensed Products"). In addition, the Company
obtained from the NIAID the right to reference an existing IND and certain  data
relating  to  the Licensed  Materials. The  NIH retained  certain rights  to the
Licensed Materials on behalf of the United States Government to conduct research
and to grant research licenses to third parties under certain circumstances.  In
return  for the rights granted by NIH, the  Company will make payments to NIH on
the achievement of specified milestones  and will make certain royalty  payments
to  NIH. Unless otherwise terminated, the  Agreement will terminate on cessation
of commercial sales of Licensed Products by the Company or its sublicensee.  The
Company  has the unilateral right to terminate the Agreement in any country upon
providing 60 days notice to NIH.
 
SMITHKLINE BEECHAM BIOLOGICALS S.A.
 
    In October 1995,  the Company  signed an agreement  with SmithKline  Beecham
defining  a  collaboration  on the  Company's  EBV vaccine  technology  (the "SB
Agreement"). Under the terms of the SB Agreement, the Company granted SmithKline
Beecham an exclusive  license to  produce, use  and sell  non-live EBV  vaccines
incorporating  the Company's technology for prophylactic and therapeutic uses on
a worldwide basis,  except in  South and  North Korea  (together, "Korea").  The
Company  has retained the right to co-distribute a monovalent formulation of the
vaccine in certain markets in the  United States and to have SmithKline  Beecham
supply  such vaccine. In addition, SmithKline  Beecham obtained a right of first
refusal to an exclusive, worldwide (except Korea) license under any intellectual
property rights  relating  to  any  live EBV  vaccine  technology  developed  or
controlled by the Company during the term of the SB Agreement.
 
    SmithKline  Beecham  has  agreed to  fund  research and  development  at the
Company related to  the EBV vaccine,  in specified minimum  amounts, during  the
first  two years of the SB Agreement. SmithKline Beecham made an initial upfront
payment to  the  Company  and  agreed  to  make  additional  payments  upon  the
achievement  of certain product development  milestones. The Company is entitled
to royalties from SmithKline Beecham based  on net sales of the vaccine.  Unless
otherwise  terminated,  the SmithKline  Beecham Agreement  will expire  upon the
expiration or  invalidation of  the  last remaining  patent  covered by  the  SB
Agreement  or 10 years  from the date  of first commercial  sale of the vaccine,
whichever is later.  The SB Agreement  may be terminated  by SmithKline  Beecham
with respect to any country at any time. See "-- Legal Proceedings."
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
SANG-A PHARM. CO., LTD.
 
    In  May 1995, the  Company entered into a  Development and License Agreement
with Sang-A.  The  Company granted  to  Sang-A exclusive  clinical  development,
manufacturing  and marketing rights in Korea for specified products developed by
Aviron, including vaccines  for influenza (cold  adapted and recombinant),  EBV,
CMV,  HSV-2 and RSV. However, the Company  is under no obligation to develop any
product. Sang-A  also will  make  payments to  the  Company upon  the  Company's
meeting  certain regulatory milestones for each product  in Korea and will pay a
royalty to the Company on net sales of such products in Korea.
 
    Sang-A also is obligated to establish a manufacturing facility with at least
enough capacity to  meet demand  for all  Korean product  requirements for  each
product  that  reaches commercialization,  if any.  In  the event  that Sang-A's
manufacturing capabilities satisfy certain objective criteria and subject to  an
obligation  to cooperate  with the Company's  future corporate  partners for any
given products, Sang-A has a right of first refusal to manufacture a portion  of
the  total requirements of the Company,  its affiliates and sublicensees for the
specified products,  with  the  exception  of  the  EBV  vaccine,  in  specified
countries,  including  the  United States,  provided  that  it can  do  so  at a
competitive price, quality and timeline.
 
    The term of this agreement extends, on a product-by-product basis, until  10
years  from the date of  first commercial sale of each  product in Korea. At the
conclusion of  the term,  Sang-A has  an option  to extend  the agreement  on  a
product-by-product  basis,  for the  longer  of an  additional  10 years  or the
expiration of  the patents  covering such  product. During  any such  extension,
Sang-A  will  have either  no royalty  obligation  to the  Company or  a reduced
royalty obligation, depending on the product.
 
    In return for the rights granted to Sang-A, Sang-A made an equity investment
in the Company in  May 1995 of approximately  $4.0 million. Sang-A  subsequently
made  an  additional  equity investment  of  approximately $1.6  million  in the
Company's private  placement of  Series  C Preferred  Stock and  currently  owns
4,265,480  shares of  the Company's Series  C Preferred  Stock, convertible into
853,096 shares of the Company's  Common Stock, representing approximately 9%  of
the  Company's Common Stock (on an as-converted basis) outstanding prior to this
offering. In addition, Sang-A has agreed to purchase, if so requested by Aviron,
10% of any subsequent  offerings by the  Company of new  securities at the  same
price offered to other purchasers in any such offering. This purchase obligation
expires  following the closing of the  first firmly underwritten public offering
of the Company's Common Stock. Concurrent with this offering, Aviron intends  to
sell  to Sang-A in a private placement,  at the initial public offering price, a
number of shares of Common Stock equal to 10% of the aggregate number of  shares
sold  in the offering and  in the private placement,  provided however, that the
total number of  shares to  be purchased by  Sang-A will  not exceed  $5,000,000
divided by the initial public offering price.
 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES -- COLD ADAPTED INFLUENZA
VACCINE
 
    Following  a  competitive application  process, the  Company entered  into a
CRADA in  March 1995  with  the National  Institute  of Allergy  and  Infectious
Diseases  of the NIH  to conduct clinical  trials of the  Company's cold adapted
influenza vaccine. Wyeth-Ayerst licensed certain rights to the vaccine from  the
NIH  in 1991 and was developing it for  sale in collaboration with the NIH until
relinquishing its  rights in  1993. Aviron  has obtained  from the  NIH and  the
University  of Michigan exclusive rights to trial results and data from the work
at the VTEUs  and Wyeth-Ayerst.  The NIH  has agreed  to support  the trials  by
enrolling  subjects in its  network of VTEUs. In  addition, the Company acquired
exclusive commercial rights to data generated from all previous clinical  trials
conducted  by the NIH and Wyeth-Ayerst using  the vaccine. The term of the CRADA
will not exceed five  years without a written  amendment by the parties.  Either
party may terminate the CRADA for material breach.
 
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
 
    In  February  1995,  the  Company  entered  into  a  materials  transfer and
intellectual property agreement (the  "Michigan Agreement") with the  University
of  Michigan. Pursuant  to the  Michigan Agreement,  the University  of Michigan
granted the  Company  exclusive  rights to  certain  intellectual  property  and
technology  relating to a  cold adapted influenza  vaccine and proprietary donor
strains of influenza viruses useful in the production of
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
products for vaccination against influenza and potentially for gene therapy  and
other  uses  (the  "Master  Strains"). Specifically,  the  Company  obtained the
exclusive  right  to  develop,  manufacture,  use,  market  and  sell   products
incorporating  any such intellectual property or utilizing the Master Strains in
all countries of the world except Japan.  Aviron is in the process of  acquiring
the   Japanese  rights  from  the  University  of  Michigan  for  no  additional
consideration. In  consideration for  the  rights granted  to the  Company,  the
Company  (i) made an  initial cash payment  to the University  of Michigan; (ii)
agreed to pay a royalty to the  University of Michigan on net sales of  products
subject  to the license; (iii) entered  into a sponsored research agreement with
the University of Michigan for a period  of at least two years; and (iv)  issued
to  the University  of Michigan  1,323,734 shares  of Series  B Preferred Stock,
convertible into  264,746 shares  of the  Company's Common  Stock,  representing
approximately  3%  of  the Company's  Common  Stock (on  an  as-converted basis)
outstanding prior  to this  offering.  In addition,  in  the event  that  Aviron
receives  approval to commercially  market a product based  on the University of
Michigan technology, the Company has agreed to issue a warrant to the University
of Michigan to purchase shares  of the Company's Common  Stock, for a number  of
shares  to be based on 1.25% of the  Common Stock outstanding on the date of the
first commercial sale of  the product incorporating  the University of  Michigan
technology. See "Description of Capital Stock -- Warrants."
 
    Pursuant  to the Michigan Agreement, the Company is required to grant to the
University  of  Michigan  an  irrevocable,  royalty-free  license  for  research
purposes, or for transfer to a subsequent licensee should the Michigan Agreement
be  terminated, to (i) all improvements developed by the Company, its affiliates
or sublicensees, whether or not patentable, relating to delivery mechanisms  and
processes   for  administration  and  manufacturing  of  products,  as  well  as
packaging, storage and preservation processes  for the Master Strains, and  (ii)
all  new  technical  information  acquired by  the  Company,  its  affiliates or
sublicensees relating to the Master Strains and products.
 
    The term of the Michigan Agreement is until the later of the last to  expire
of  the the University of  Michigan patents licensed to  the Company or 20 years
from the date of first commercial  sale of a product incorporating the  Michigan
technology.  The Company has the further right  to terminate for any reason upon
12 months notice to the University of Michigan.
 
THE MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
 
    In February 1993, the Company  entered into a technology transfer  agreement
with  The Mount  Sinai School  of Medicine  of the  City University  of New York
("Mount Sinai"). Under this agreement, Mount  Sinai assigned to the Company  all
of  its  rights,  title  and  interest in  and  to  certain  patents  and patent
applications,  as  well   as  all  associated   know-how  and  other   technical
information,  relating  to  recombinant  negative  strand  RNA  virus expression
systems and vaccines, attenuated influenza viruses and certain other technology.
Mount Sinai also granted the Company  (i) an option to acquire any  improvements
to  the inventions  disclosed in  the assigned  patents and  patent applications
thereafter developed by Mount Sinai and (ii) a right of first negotiation for  a
license or assignment to certain additional related technology. In consideration
for  the rights granted to the Company, the Company issued to Mount Sinai 35,000
shares of the  Company's Common Stock.  The Company also  issued to Mount  Sinai
four warrants to purchase up to a total of 45,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock,  each exercisable for a term of five years commencing upon the occurrence
of certain milestone events.  Exercisability accelerates upon the  effectiveness
of this offering. Warrants to purchase 9,000 shares are currently exercisable at
a  per share exercise  price of $4.50.  Warrants to purchase  29,750 shares will
become exercisable  at  the effective  date  of this  offering  at a  per  share
exercise  price of  125% of the  per share  price of this  offering. Warrants to
purchase the  remaining 6,250  shares  are not  exercisable and  will  terminate
automatically  on the effective date of  this offering according to their terms.
See "Capital Stock -- Warrants."
 
ARCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
 
    In July  1992,  the Company  entered  into  a license  agreement  with  ARCH
Development   Corporation  ("ARCH"),  an   Illinois  not-for-profit  corporation
associated with  the  University  of  Chicago, pursuant  to  which  the  Company
obtained  an exclusive, worldwide  commercialization license, with  the right to
sublicense, to  certain  patent rights  and  related intellectual  property  and
materials  pertaining to the herpes simplex viruses, EBV and various recombinant
methods and materials.  In return for  the rights granted  to the Company  under
this
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
agreement,  the  Company will  make  payments to  ARCH  upon the  achievement of
certain milestones in  the development of  products covered by  the license  and
will  pay royalties to ARCH on net sales of such products. ARCH also granted the
Company certain rights  to improvements and  additional related technology.  The
term of this agreement extends until the expiration of the last-to-expire patent
rights  covered  under  the license.  In  connection with  this  agreement, ARCH
purchased 40,000  shares  of the  Company's  Common Stock.  Subsequent  to  this
agreement,  affiliates  of ARCH  made equity  investments in  Aviron, purchasing
700,000, 300,000 and 113,999 shares of the Company's Series A, B and C Preferred
Stock, respectively, convertible into a total of 222,799 shares of the Company's
Common  Stock.  ARCH  and  its  affiliates  together  own  shares   representing
approximately  2.6% of  the Company's  Common Stock  (on an  as-converted basis)
outstanding prior to this offering.
 
PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
 
    Aviron believes that patent and trade secret protection is important to  its
business  and that its future will depend in part on its ability to maintain its
technology licenses,  maintain  trade  secret  protection,  obtain  patents  and
operate without infringing the proprietary rights of others. The Company owns or
has licensed rights to United States and foreign patents and patent applications
covering  aspects of technology relating to  herpes viruses, including EBV, CMV,
and  HSV-2  and  negative  strand  RNA  viruses,  such  as  influenza  and   RSV
technologies.  Aviron has  acquired or  licensed rights  to over  a dozen patent
applications pending  in  the United  States,  and seven  issued  United  States
patents.
 
   
    The  Company has  no issued  patents on the  technology related  to its cold
adapted influenza vaccine. The Company's rights to this technology are based  on
an  exclusive license of materials and know-how from the University of Michigan,
which owns the  master strains  from which  the vaccine  is derived,  and on  an
exclusive  license of know-how and clinical trial data from the NIH. Neither the
University of Michigan nor the NIH rely  on patents for ownership of the  rights
licensed  to  Aviron. There  can be  no assurance  that a  third party  will not
reproduce the Company's  cold adapted influenza  vaccine or that  a third  party
will  not develop another live-virus influenza vaccine which might be comparable
to Aviron's in terms of safety and efficacy.
    
 
    The Company  also  relies  on  trade  secrets  to  protect  its  technology,
especially  where  patent  protection  is  not  believed  to  be  appropriate or
obtainable. Certain of  the Company's licensors  also rely on  trade secrets  to
protect  technology which  has been  licensed to  Aviron, and  as a  result, the
Company is dependent  on the efforts  of these licensors  to protect such  trade
secrets. For example, the University of Michigan relies in part on trade secrets
to  protect the master strains  of the cold adapted  influenza virus used by the
Company and  the NIH  relies in  part on  trade secrets  to protect  the  master
strains  of the  bPIV-3 virus.  Aviron protects  its proprietary  technology and
processes,  in  part,   by  confidentiality  agreements   with  its   employees,
consultants,  collaborators and certain  contractors. There can  be no assurance
that these agreements will not be breached, that the Company would have adequate
remedies for any breach,  or that the  Company's trade secrets  or those of  its
licensors  will not  otherwise become  known or  be independently  discovered by
competitors.  To  the  extent  that  Aviron  or  its  consultants  or   research
collaborators  use intellectual property  owned by others in  their work for the
Company, disputes  may also  arise as  to  the rights  in related  or  resulting
know-how and inventions.
 
    The  Company's success  also will  depend in part  on its  ability to obtain
patents, both  in  the  United  States and  in  other  countries.  Since  patent
applications  in the United States are maintained in secrecy until patents issue
and since  publication of  discoveries in  the scientific  or patent  literature
often  lag behind actual discoveries, the Company  cannot be certain that it was
the first  to  make  the  inventions  covered by  each  of  its  pending  patent
applications  or that  it was  the first  to file  patent applications  for such
inventions. The patent positions  of biotechnology and pharmaceutical  companies
can  be highly  uncertain and involve  complex legal and  factual questions, and
therefore the  breadth of  claims allowed  in biotechnology  and  pharmaceutical
patents  or their enforceability cannot be  predicted. There can be no assurance
that any  of the  Company's patents  or patent  applications will  issue, or  if
issued,  will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, or that the rights
granted thereunder will provide proprietary protection or competitive advantages
to the Company.
 
    The commercial success of Aviron additionally will depend, in part, upon the
Company's not infringing patents  issued to others.  A number of  pharmaceutical
companies, biotechnology companies, universities and
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
research  institutions have filed patent applications or received patents in the
areas of the Company's programs. Some of these applications or patents may limit
or preclude the  Company's applications,  or conflict in  certain respects  with
claims made under the Company's applications.
 
    The  Company is aware of pending patent applications that have been filed by
others that may pertain to certain aspects of the Company's programs,  including
a  genetically engineered influenza vaccine,  the Company's herpes virus program
or other of its issued or pending patent applications. If patents are issued  to
others   containing  preclusive  or  conflicting  claims  and  such  claims  are
ultimately determined  to  be valid,  the  Company  may be  required  to  obtain
licenses  to these  patents or to  develop or obtain  alternative technology. No
assurance can be given that patents have not been issued, or will not be issued,
to third parties that contain preclusive  or conflicting claims with respect  to
the  cold adapted influenza vaccine or any  of the Company's other programs. The
Company's breach  of an  existing license  or  failure to  obtain a  license  to
technology  required to commercialize  its products may  have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation, which could result in substantial costs to the Company, may also  be
necessary to enforce any patents issued to the Company or to determine the scope
and  validity of third-party  proprietary rights. If  competitors of the Company
prepare and file patent applications in the United States that claim  technology
also claimed by the Company, the Company may have to participate in interference
proceedings  declared  by  the  United States  Patent  and  Trademark  Office to
determine priority of invention, which could  result in substantial cost to  the
Company,  even if the eventual  outcome is favorable to  the Company. An adverse
outcome could subject the  Company to significant  liabilities to third  parties
and  require the  Company to  license disputed rights  from third  parties or to
cease using such technology. On July  1, 1996, Chiron filed a complaint  against
the  Company  in San  Mateo County,  California,  Superior Court,  alleging that
certain of Aviron's patent applications relating to its EBV program are based on
Chiron proprietary  information which  was improperly  conveyed to  Aviron by  a
former  Chiron employee, and that the Company has engaged in unfair competition.
See "-- Legal Proceedings."
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
    Regulation  by  government  authorities  in  the  United  States  and  other
countries will be a significant factor in the manufacturing and marketing of any
products  that may be  developed by the  Company. All of  the Company's products
will   require   regulatory   approval   by   government   agencies   prior   to
commercialization.  The  Company's  vaccine  products  are  subject  to rigorous
preclinical testing and clinical trial and other approval procedures by the  FDA
and  similar health authorities  in foreign countries.  Various federal statutes
and regulations also  govern or influence  the manufacturing, safety,  labeling,
storage, record keeping and marketing of such products.
 
    The Company believes that its vaccine products will be classified by the FDA
as  "biologic products,"  as opposed  to "drug  products." The  steps ordinarily
required before  a drug  or biological  product may  be marketed  in the  United
States  include (a) preclinical testing and  clinical trials; (b) the submission
to the FDA of  an IND, which  must become effective  before clinical trials  may
commence;  (c)  adequate and  well-controlled clinical  trials to  establish the
safety and efficacy  of the drug;  (d) the submission  to the FDA  of a  Product
License  Application ("PLA") together with  an Establishment License Application
("ELA"); and (e)  FDA approval  of the  application, including  approval of  all
product labeling and, in some instances, advertising.
 
    Preclinical  testing  includes laboratory  evaluation of  product chemistry,
formulation and stability,  as well as  animal studies to  assess the  potential
safety  and efficacy of each product. Preclinical safety tests must be conducted
by laboratories  that  comply with  FDA  regulations regarding  Good  Laboratory
Practice.  The results of the preclinical tests are submitted to the FDA as part
of an  IND and  are reviewed  by the  FDA before  the commencement  of  clinical
trials.  Unless the FDA objects to an IND, the IND will become effective 30 days
following its receipt by the FDA. There  can be no assurance that submission  of
an  IND will result in FDA authorization to commence clinical trials or that the
lack of an objection means that  the FDA will ultimately approve an  application
for marketing approval.
 
    Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product to
humans  under the  supervision of  a qualified  principal investigator. Clinical
trials must  be  conducted in  accordance  with Good  Clinical  Practices  under
protocols  submitted to the FDA  as part of the  IND. In addition, each clinical
trial must be approved and
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
conducted under the auspice  of an Institutional Review  Board and with  patient
informed  consent.  The Institutional  Review Board  will consider,  among other
things, ethical factors, the safety of human subjects and the possible liability
of the institution conducting the clinical trial.
 
    Phase I clinical trials are  generally performed in healthy human  subjects.
The  goal of  the Phase  I clinical  trials is  to establish  initial data about
safety and tolerance  of the  vaccine in humans.  Also, the  data regarding  the
immune  response to  a vaccine  may be  obtained. In  Phase II  clinical trials,
evidence is sought about the desired therapeutic efficacy of a drug or antibody,
or the immune response to  a vaccine, in limited  studies with small numbers  of
carefully selected subjects. Efforts are made to evaluate the effects of various
dosages and to establish an optimal dosage level and dosage schedule. Additional
safety  data are also gathered from these  studies. The Phase III clinical trial
program consists of  expanded, large-scale, multicenter  studies of persons  who
are  susceptible  to  the  disease.  The goal  of  these  studies  is  to obtain
definitive statistical  evidence of  the  efficacy and  safety of  the  proposed
product and dosage regimen.
 
    All  data obtained from this comprehensive development program are submitted
as a PLA to the FDA and the corresponding agencies in other countries for review
and approval. FDA approval of the PLA and the associated ELA is required  before
marketing  may begin in the  United States. The FDA  will present to the Vaccine
and Related  Biological Products  Advisory Committee  documentation on  most  of
Aviron's  products for review  and recommendation before  PLA approval. Although
the FDA's policy  is to review  priority applications within  180 days of  their
filing,  in practice longer  times may be required.  The FDA frequently requests
that additional information be submitted requiring significant additional review
time. All proposed  products of  the Company will  be subject  to demanding  and
time-consuming  PLA or  similar approval procedures  in the  countries where the
Company intends to market  its products. These regulations  define not only  the
form  and content of the  development of safety and  efficacy data regarding the
proposed product, but also impose specific requirements regarding manufacture of
the product,  quality assurance,  packaging, storage,  documentation and  record
keeping,   labelling  and  advertising,   and  marketing  procedures.  Effective
commercialization also requires inclusion of the Company's products in national,
state, provincial, or institutional formularies or cost reimbursement systems.
 
    FDA  approval  of  the  Company's  products,  including  a  review  of   the
manufacturing  processes and facilities  used to produce  such products, will be
required before such products may be marketed in the United States. The  process
of obtaining approvals from the FDA can be costly, time consuming and subject to
unanticipated  delays.  The  FDA may  refuse  to  approve an  application  if it
believes that applicable regulatory criteria are not satisfied. The FDA may also
require additional testing  for safety and  efficacy of the  drug. Moreover,  if
regulatory  approval of a drug product is  granted, the approval will be limited
to specific  indications.  There can  be  no  assurance that  approvals  of  the
Company's proposed products, processes or facilities will be granted on a timely
basis,  if at all.  Any failure to  obtain or delay  in obtaining such approvals
would have  a  material adverse  effect  on the  Company's  business,  financial
condition  and results of  operations. Moreover, even  if regulatory approval is
granted, such approval may include significant limitations on indicated uses for
which a product could be marketed.
 
    In addition to regulations enforced by the FDA, the Company also is  subject
to  regulation under the  Occupational Safety and  Health Act, the Environmental
Protection Act,  the  Toxic  Substances  Control  Act,  the  Nuclear  Regulatory
Commission,  the Resource  Conservation and Recovery  Act and  other present and
potential future federal, state or local regulations. The Company's research and
development involves the  controlled use of  hazardous materials and  chemicals.
Although  the  Company  believes that  its  safety procedures  for  handling and
disposing of such materials  comply with the standards  prescribed by state  and
federal  regulations, there can be no assurance that accidental contamination or
injury from these materials will  not occur. In the  event of such an  accident,
the  Company  could be  held liable  for any  damages that  result and  any such
liability could exceed the resources of the Company.
 
    Whether or not  FDA approval  has been obtained,  approval of  a product  by
comparable regulatory authorities may be necessary in foreign countries prior to
the  commencement of  marketing of the  product in such  countries. The approval
procedure varies among countries, can  involve additional testing, and the  time
required may differ from that required for FDA approval. Although there is now a
centralized  European Union approval  mechanism in place,  each European country
may nonetheless impose its  own procedures and requirements,  many of which  are
time consuming and expensive. Thus, there can be substantial delays in obtaining
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
required  approvals from both  the FDA and  foreign regulatory authorities after
the relevant applications are  filed. The Company expects  to rely on  corporate
partners  and licensees,  along with  Company expertise,  to obtain governmental
approval in foreign countries of drug formulations utilizing its candidates.
 
    The Company believes that  the approval process for  vaccines may be  longer
than  for other  therapeutic products. In  addition, regulatory  scrutiny may be
particularly intense for  products, such as  Aviron's cold-attenuated  influenza
vaccine, which are designed to be given to otherwise healthy children.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The  Company operates in a rapidly  evolving field. Any product developed by
the Company would compete with existing and new drugs and vaccines being created
by pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. If the Company
were able  to successfully  develop its  vaccines, it  would be  competing  with
larger  companies that have  already introduced vaccines  and have significantly
greater  marketing,  manufacturing,  financial  and  managerial  resources.  For
example, with respect to its cold adapted influenza vaccine, the Company will be
competing   against  larger   companies  such  as   Pasteur  Merieux  Connaught,
Wyeth-Ayerst,  Parke-Davis  and  Evans.  Each  of  these  companies  sells   the
inactivated injectable influenza vaccine in the United States, has significantly
greater  financial  resources  than  Aviron and  has  established  marketing and
distribution channels for such  products. The Company is  also aware of  several
companies  that are  marketing or are  in late-stage development  of products to
prevent HSV  disease, including  Glaxo, SmithKline  Beecham and  Chiron  Biocine
Corporation.  In addition, the Company  is also aware of the  use in Russia of a
cold adapted influenza  vaccine, research  programs by some  of the  competitors
listed  above, among others, to develop  more effective influenza vaccines and a
cold adapted PIV-3 vaccine developed with NIH support which may be licensed to a
large vaccine company.
 
    New developments are  expected to  continue in both  the pharmaceutical  and
biotechnology  industries  and  in  academia.  Other  companies  may  succeed in
developing products that are safer, more effective or less costly than any  that
may  be developed by the Company. Such companies may also be more effective than
the Company  in the  production and  marketing of  their products.  Furthermore,
rapid  technological  development by  competitors  may result  in  the Company's
products becoming obsolete before the Company  is able to recover its  research,
development  or commercialization expenses incurred  in connection with any such
product.  Many  potential  competitors  have  substantially  greater  financial,
technical and marketing resources than the Company. Some of these companies also
have  considerable experience in preclinical  testing, clinical trials and other
regulatory  approval  procedures.   Moreover,  certain  academic   institutions,
government  agencies and other research organizations are conducting research in
areas  in  which  the  Company  is  working.  These  institutions  are  becoming
increasingly  aware of the  commercial value of their  findings and are becoming
more active in seeking patent  protection and licensing arrangements to  collect
royalties for the use of technology that they have developed. These institutions
may  also market competitive  commercial products on their  own or through joint
ventures.
 
    Aviron believes  that  competition in  the  markets it  is  addressing  will
continue  to be intense. The vaccine  industry is characterized by intense price
competition, and the Company anticipates that it will face this and other  forms
of competition. There can be no assurance that pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical
and  biotechnology companies will not develop more effective products than those
of the Company or will not market and sell their products more effectively  than
the  Company,  which  would have  a  material  adverse effect  on  the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AND REIMBURSEMENT
 
    Political, economic and regulatory influences are subjecting the health care
industry in  the United  States  to fundamental  change. Recent  initiatives  to
reduce  the federal  deficit and to  reform health care  delivery are increasing
cost-containment  efforts.  The   Company  anticipates   that  Congress,   state
legislatures  and  the  private  sector  will  continue  to  review  and  assess
alternative benefits, controls  on health care  spending through limitations  on
the  growth  of  private health  insurance  premiums and  Medicare  and Medicaid
spending, the creation of large  insurance purchasing groups, price controls  on
pharmaceuticals and other fundamental
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
changes  to the health care delivery system. Any such proposed or actual changes
could cause the  Company or  its collaborative  partners to  limit or  eliminate
spending  on development projects. Legislative debate is expected to continue in
the future,  and market  forces are  expected to  demand reduced  costs.  Aviron
cannot  predict what  impact the  adoption of any  federal or  state health care
reform measures or future private sector reforms may have on its business.
 
    In both  domestic  and foreign  markets,  sales of  the  Company's  proposed
vaccines  will  depend  in  part upon  the  availability  of  reimbursement from
third-party  payors,  such  as  government  health  administration  authorities,
managed  care  providers, private  health insurers  and other  organizations. In
addition, other third-party  payors are increasingly  challenging the price  and
cost  effectiveness of  medical products  and services.  Significant uncertainty
exists as to the  reimbursement status of newly  approved health care  products.
There  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  Company's  proposed  products  will be
considered cost effective  or that  adequate third-party  reimbursement will  be
available  to enable  Aviron to maintain  price levels sufficient  to realize an
appropriate return on  its investment  in product  development. Legislation  and
regulations  affecting  the pricing  of  pharmaceuticals may  change  before the
Company's proposed  products  are  approved  for  marketing.  Adoption  of  such
legislation  could further limit reimbursement for medical products. If adequate
coverage and  reimbursement  levels  are  not provided  by  the  government  and
third-party  payors for the  Company's products, the  market acceptance of these
products would be adversely affected, which would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
    Several of the Company's proposed vaccines are intended for use in children.
Widespread use of  these proposed vaccines  is unlikely without  recommendations
for  their use in  childhood immunization programs from  authorities such as the
ACIP, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians.
The ACIP has a role in making recommendations which affect the market for  most,
if  not  all,  of  the  products  Aviron  intends  to  make.  The  CDC  develops
epidemiologic data in support of the need for new vaccines and monitors  vaccine
usage and changes in disease incidence. In addition, CDC staff frequently act as
key  advisors to the FDA in their review process. There can be no assurance that
such authorities  will recommend  the use  of the  Company's proposed  products,
which  would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    On July 1, 1996, Chiron Corporation ("Chiron") filed a complaint against the
Company in San Mateo County,  California, Superior Court, alleging that  certain
of  Aviron's patent applications relating to its EBV program are based on Chiron
proprietary information  which was  improperly conveyed  to Aviron  by a  former
Chiron  employee, and  that the Company  has engaged in  unfair competition. The
complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and seeks to impose a  constructive
trust, for Chiron's benefit, over the affected patent applications, an exclusive
assignment  by  the  Company  to  Chiron  of  such  patent  applications  and an
injunction against the Company from  disclosing, using or applying such  alleged
proprietary  information.  Aviron believes  that the  allegations in  the Chiron
complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against such
action. Aviron does not  utilize the alleged  Chiron proprietary information  in
any  of its potential products currently  under development. Even if Chiron were
to prevail in  this action, the  Company believes  that it is  uncertain that  a
court  would grant a constructive trust  over the specified patent applications,
which include  many claims  (including certain  rights the  Company licensed  to
SmithKline  Beecham) not relating to  the alleged Chiron proprietary technology.
Were a court  to grant a  constructive trust over  such patent applications,  it
could  adversely impact the  Company's agreement with  SmithKline Beecham. There
can be no assurance that  Chiron will not ultimately  prevail in this action  or
that  it will not  obtain the remedies  it is seeking.  In addition, the Company
expects that the legal  costs incurred in defending  itself against this  action
could be substantial.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As  of June 1, 1996, the Company had 70 full-time employees. Thirty-eight of
the Company's employees were in research and development, 16 were in  regulatory
affairs,  quality assurance and quality control,  and 16 were in administration.
No Company employee is  represented by a  labor union, and  the Company has  not
experienced  any work stoppages. The Company considers its employee relations to
be good.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
FACILITIES
 
    Aviron leases  approximately 52,800  square feet  of office  and  laboratory
space in Mountain View, California. The Company has leased this facility through
October  2005 and has two  options to extend the  lease for successive five-year
terms. The Company currently subleases approximately 15,000 square feet of space
to three subtenants. The subleases run through June 1996 and may be extended  at
Aviron's discretion. The Company believes that this facility is adequate to meet
its needs for the foreseeable future.
 
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD
 
    Aviron's  scientific advisors are consultants who  devote six to 20 days per
year to the  Company. Some  meet frequently  with Company  employees to  discuss
specific  projects and others participate primarily via the Company's two annual
meetings of the Scientific Advisory Board.
 
    ANN ARVIN, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology at the
Stanford University  School of  Medicine, has  been a  member of  the  Company's
Scientific  Advisory Board since  1992. Dr. Arvin has  conducted research on the
epidemiology of maternal-to-infant transmission of HSV-2 and she directs one  of
the  leading laboratories in  the study of  the interaction of  the human immune
system with the  varicella zoster  (chicken pox)  virus in  natural and  vaccine
infections.
 
    HARRY  GREENBERG, M.D.,  Professor of Medicine,  Microbiology and Immunology
and Chief  of  the  Division  of Gastroenterology  and  Associate  Chairman  for
Academic  Affairs, Department of  Medicine at the  Stanford University School of
Medicine, has been  a member of  the Company's Scientific  Advisory Board  since
1992. Dr. Greenberg's research deals with the immunology and pathogenesis of the
principal viruses which cause infectious diarrhea and hepatitis.
 
    ELLIOT  KIEFF, M.D.,  PH.D., Albee  Professor of  Medicine, Microbiology and
Molecular Genetics and Chairman of  the Virology Program at Harvard  University,
and Director of Infectious Disease at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, has been
a  member of  the Company's  Scientific Advisory  Board since  1992. Dr. Kieff's
laboratory conducts  research  on the  molecular  mechanisms  of how  EBV  is  a
contributory cause of cancer in humans.
 
    JOSHUA  LEDERBERG, PH.D., the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Foundation Scholar
and former President  of The Rockefeller  University, has been  a member of  the
Company's  Scientific Advisory Board since 1992.  He received the Nobel Prize in
Physiology or Medicine for his  discovery of genetic recombination in  bacteria.
His  laboratory at the Rockefeller University  studies molecular genetics and he
is active in formulation of national policy concerning emerging infections.
 
    HUNEIN F. MAASSAB, PH.D., Chairman of the Department of Epidemiology, School
of Public  Health, at  the University  of Michigan,  has been  a member  of  the
Company's  Scientific Advisory Board since 1995. He  is the inventor of the cold
adapted influenza vaccine licensed to the Company by the University of  Michigan
and  has published numerous  papers on this subject.  His laboratory is studying
the  molecular  basis  of  influenza  virus  attenuation  and  is  involved   in
development of new vaccines for other respiratory viruses.
 
    EDWARD  MOCARSKI, JR.,  PH.D., Professor and  Chairman of  the Department of
Microbiology and Immunology at the  Stanford University School of Medicine,  has
been  a  member  of the  Company's  Scientific  Advisory Board  since  1992. His
laboratory  engineered   the  first   recombinant   CMV  providing   the   first
demonstration  of  this virus  as  a vector  and is  one  of the  leading groups
conducting research on CMV gene regulation.
 
    PETER PALESE, PH.D., a founder of  the Company and member of the  Scientific
Advisory  Board  since 1992,  is  Professor and  Chairman  of the  Department of
Microbiology at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New
York.  His  laboratory  developed  the  first  successful  strategy  for  making
genetically  engineered influenza  viruses. This invention  is the  subject of a
United States patent issued in 1992 covering the genetic engineering of negative
strand RNA viruses rights to which patent have been acquired by the Company. Dr.
Palese's research group has  been responsible for developing  a genetic map  for
influenza virus, elucidating the function of viral proteins, and the creation of
recombinant  influenza  strains which  demonstrate the  use of  this virus  as a
vector.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
    GERALD V. QUINNAN, JR., M.D., Professor of Preventive Medicine, Medicine and
Microbiology, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics at the  Uniformed
Services  University of  the Health Sciences  in Bethesda, Maryland,  has been a
member of the Company's  Scientific Advisory Board since  1995. Dr. Quinnan  was
employed  by the FDA from 1977 until 1993. From 1980 to 1988, he was Director of
the Virology  Division,  subsequently  serving as  Deputy  Director  and  Acting
Director,  of the  Center for Biologics  Evaluation and  Research. Dr. Quinnan's
research concerns aspects of HIV immunology related to vaccine development.
 
    BERNARD ROIZMAN, SC.D., a founder and director of the Company and member  of
the Scientific Advisory Board since 1992, is the Joseph Regenstein Distinguished
Service  Professor of the Departments of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology and
of Biochemistry  and  Molecular  Biology  at  The  University  of  Chicago.  His
laboratory  is  a leading  center of  research on  neurovirulence of  the herpes
simplex viruses, created the first example of  a large DNA virus which had  been
genetically  engineered and provided  the first demonstration  of herpes simplex
virus as a vector. Dr. Roizman is a member of the United States National Academy
of Sciences.  The Company's  HSV-2  vaccine program  is  based on  his  patented
technology, licensed to Aviron.
 
    JOHN  SKEHEL,  PH.D., FRS,  Director of  the  National Institute  of Medical
Research of  the Medical  Research Council  and the  WHO Influenza  Surveillance
Center  in Mill Hill near London, has  been a member of the Company's Scientific
Advisory Board since 1992. His laboratory  has contributed new knowledge on  the
structure  of the influenza virus as well  as the molecular epidemiology of this
virus.
 
    RICHARD WHITLEY, M.D., a founder of the Company and member of the Scientific
Advisory Board  since  1992,  is  Professor  of  Pediatrics,  Microbiology,  and
Medicine  and Vice Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of
Alabama School of  Medicine in  Birmingham. He has  conducted pharmacologic  and
clinical  studies on many antiviral drugs and his laboratory is a leading center
of research on the mechanism by  which herpes simplex virus causes disease,  and
he  is studying the  use of modified  herpes viruses to  treat brain cancer. Dr.
Whitley is former Chairman of the  NIH Data Monitoring and Safety Committee  for
AIDS Therapy and a member of the Committee on Infectious Disease of the American
Academy of Pediatrics (The Redbook Committee).
 
    MAX  WILHELM, PH.D., is  a consultant to the  biotechnology industry and has
been a member  of the  Company's Scientific Advisory  Board since  1993. He  has
retired  from a 35-year career at Ciba-Geigy where he was most recently a member
of the  Pharmaceuticals Division  Committee  overseeing worldwide  research  and
development operations. He was involved in the formation of The Biocine Company,
a joint venture vaccine company between Ciba-Geigy and Chiron, serving as one of
its  original directors, and is currently Chairman  of the Board of Directors of
Genelabs Technologies, Inc.
 
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<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
    The executive officers and directors  of the Company as  of June 1, 1996  is
set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                 AGE               POSITION
  ---------------------------------  ---  -----------------------------------
  <S>                                <C>  <C>
  J. Leighton Read, M.D............  45   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
                                          and Chief Financial Officer
  Martin L. Bryant, M.D., Ph.D.....  47   Vice President, Research
  Victor Jegede, Ph.D..............  51   Vice President, Technical Affairs
  Vera Kallmeyer, M.D., Ph.D.......  37   Vice President, Corporate
                                          Development
  Paul M. Mendelman, M.D...........  48   Vice President, Clinical Research
  Eric J. Patzer, Ph.D.............  47   Vice President, Development
  Reid W. Dennis (1)(2)............  70   Director
  Paul H. Klingenstein (1)(2)......  40   Director
  Jane E. Shaw, Ph.D...............  57   Director
  L. James Strand, M.D. (1)(2).....  54   Director
  Bernard Roizman, Sc.D............  67   Director
  Alan C. Mendelson................  48   Secretary
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1) Member of the Compensation Committee.
 
(2) Member of the Audit Committee.
 
    J.  LEIGHTON READ, M.D., a founder of  the Company, has been Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and  Chief Financial  Officer of  the Company  since 1992.  In
1989, he co-founded Affymax N.V. with Dr. Alejandro Zaffaroni, serving initially
as its Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and later, from 1990
to  1991, as President of the Pharma Division  and as a Managing Director of the
parent company. From  1991 to 1993,  Dr. Read was  a principal with  Interhealth
Limited, an investment partnership. Prior to 1989, Dr. Read held appointments at
the Harvard Medical School and School of Public Health, where his research dealt
with techniques for assessing the cost effectiveness of pharmaceutical products.
He  has served on the boards of  a number of private biotechnology companies and
is currently on the board of a  private biotechnology company. Dr. Read holds  a
B.S.  in  Biology and  Psychology  from Rice  University  and an  M.D.  from the
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
 
    MARTIN L. BRYANT,  M.D., PH.D.,  has been  Vice President,  Research of  the
Company  since 1995. Dr. Bryant also currently is Consulting Associate Professor
of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology at the Stanford University School  of
Medicine  and  Adjunct  Associate  Professor of  Molecular  Microbiology  at the
Washington University School of  Medicine. From 1991 to  1995, he was  Director,
Infectious  Disease Research for  G. D. Searle  & Co./Monsanto, a pharmaceutical
company. From  1990  to 1991,  he  was  an Instructor  in  Pediatric  Infectious
Diseases  at the  Washington University School  of Medicine. Dr.  Bryant holds a
B.A. in Chemistry  from Duke  University, an M.A.  in Chemistry  from San  Diego
State  University,  and an  M.D. and  a  Ph.D. from  the University  of Southern
California.
 
    VICTOR JEGEDE,  PH.D., has  been Vice  President, Technical  Affairs of  the
Company since 1995. From 1992 to 1994, Dr. Jegede was Vice President, Regulatory
Affairs  and  Quality  for  Creative  BioMolecules,  Inc.,  a biopharmaceuticals
company, and from 1989 to 1992, he was Director, Regulatory Affairs and  Quality
for  WelGen Manufacturing  Partnership (BW  Manufacturing, Inc.),  a division of
Burroughs Welcome Manufacturing, Inc., a pharmaceutical manufacturer. Dr. Jegede
holds a B.S. and  an M.S. in  Biology, and a Ph.D.  in Bacteriology from  Boston
College.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
    VERA  KALLMEYER, M.D., PH.D., has been Vice President, Corporate Development
of the Company since 1994. From 1993 to 1994, Dr. Kallmeyer was Vice  President,
Healthcare  Banking/Biotech at Flemings, a London-based merchant bank. From 1990
to 1993, she was an Associate  in Investment Banking at Wasserstein Perella  and
Company.  In  1994,  she  co-founded  Pacific  Futures,  an  investment advisory
business located in Hong Kong, for which she currently serves as Senior Advisor.
Dr.  Kallmeyer  holds  an  M.D.  and  a  Ph.D.  in  Pediatric  Cardiology   from
Ludwig-Alexander  University in Erlangen,  Germany, and an  M.B.A. from Stanford
University. She has  also studied at  the Harvard Medical  School and the  Royal
Postgraduate Medical School in London.
 
    PAUL  M. MENDELMAN, M.D., has been  Vice President, Clinical Research of the
Company since  May  1996.  Prior  to joining  the  Company,  Dr.  Mendelman  was
Director,   Clinical   Research,   Infectious   Diseases   for   Merck  Research
Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company, since September 1991. From 1983 to 1991,
Dr. Mendelman was  Clinical Instructor, Assistant  Professor and then  Associate
Professor  of Pediatrics at the University  of Washington. Dr. Mendelman holds a
B.S. and an  M.D. from Ohio  State University and  is a fellow  of the  American
Academy of Pediatrics.
 
    ERIC  J. PATZER, PH.D., has been  Vice President, Development of the Company
since 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Patzer had held various  positions
with  Genentech, Inc.,  a pharmaceutical company,  since 1981,  most recently as
Vice President, Development. Dr. Patzer  holds a B.S. in Mechanical  Engineering
from  The Pennsylvania  State University  and a  Ph.D. in  Microbiology from the
University of Virginia.
 
    REID W. DENNIS has been a director of the Company since 1992. Mr. Dennis has
been active in venture capital investments since 1952. He founded  Institutional
Venture  Partners ("IVP"),  a venture  capital firm, in  1980, and  has acted as
general partner of IVP since that time.  He is currently a director of  Collagen
Corporation,  as well as several  private companies. Mr. Dennis  holds a B.S. in
Electrical Engineering and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
 
    PAUL H. KLINGENSTEIN  has been  a director of  the Company  since 1993.  Mr.
Klingenstein  has been associated  with Accel Partners,  a venture capital firm,
since 1986, where he has been a General Partner since 1988. He is a director  of
several  private health  care and biopharmaceutical  companies. Mr. Klingenstein
holds an A.B. from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
 
    BERNARD ROIZMAN, SC.D., has been a  director of the Company since 1992.  Dr.
Roizman  has  been  the  Joseph Regenstein  Distinguished  Service  Professor of
Virology at the University of Chicago since 1984. He holds B.A. and M.S. degrees
from Temple  University and  an Sc.D.  from The  Johns Hopkins  University.  Dr.
Roizman is also a member of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board.
 
    JANE  E. SHAW, PH.D., has been a Director of the Company since May 1996. Dr.
Shaw has been associated with The Stable Network, a biopharmaceutical consulting
company, since she founded it in 1995. From 1987 to 1994, Dr. Shaw was President
and Chief Operating Officer of ALZA Corporation, a pharmaceutical company, where
she began  her career  as a  research  scientist in  1970. Dr.  Shaw is  also  a
director   of  Intel   Corporation,  McKesson  Corporation   and  Boise  Cascade
Corporation. Dr. Shaw holds  a B.Sc. and a  Ph.D. in physiology from  Birmingham
University,  England,  and  an honorary  Doctorate  of Science  degree  from the
Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
 
    L. JAMES STRAND, M.D., has  been a director of  the Company since 1992.  Dr.
Strand began consulting for IVP, a venture capital firm, in 1986, was named Life
Sciences Venture Partner of IVP in 1993 and a General Partner in 1994. From 1983
to  1993, Dr. Strand was President of Advanced Marketing Decisions, a biomedical
marketing and product development consulting  company. Dr. Strand is a  director
of  Microcide Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  and several privately-held  health care and
biomedical companies. He holds B.S., M.A.  and M.D. degrees from the  University
of  California at San Francisco and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University and is
a fellow of the American College of Physicians.
 
    ALAN C. MENDELSON has served as Secretary of the Company since 1992. He  has
been  a  partner of  Cooley Godward  Castro  Huddleson &  Tatum, counsel  to the
Company, since 1980 and served as Managing Partner of its Palo Alto office  from
1990  to 1995. Mr. Mendelson also served as Secretary and Acting General Counsel
of Amgen Inc.,  a biopharmaceutical company,  from 1990 to  1991, and served  as
Acting General Counsel at
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
Cadence  Design Systems, Inc., an electronic design automation software company,
from 1995  to 1996.  He is  a director  of Acuson  Corporation, CoCensys,  Inc.,
Elexsys International, Inc. and Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Mendelson holds a
B.A.  from the University of California at Berkeley, and a J.D. from the Harvard
Law School.
 
    The Board of  Directors has  an Audit  Committee which  consists of  Messrs.
Dennis,  Klingenstein and Strand.  The Audit Committee  makes recommendations to
the Board  regarding  the  selection of  independent  accountants,  reviews  the
results  and scope  of the  audit and other  services provided  by the Company's
independent  accountants,  and  reviews  and  evaluates  the  Company's  control
functions. The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee which consists of
Messrs.  Dennis,  Klingenstein  and  Strand.  The  Compensation  Committee makes
recommendations to the Board concerning salaries and incentive compensation  for
employees and consultants of the Company.
 
    The  Board of  Directors presently consists  of six members  who hold office
until the annual meeting of stockholders  and until a successor is duly  elected
and  qualified. Effective upon the  Company's reincorporation into Delaware, the
Board of Directors will be divided into  three classes of equal size. One  class
of  directors will be  elected annually and  its members will  hold office for a
three year term  or until their  successors are duly  elected and qualified,  or
until  their  earlier  removal  or resignation.  The  number  of  directors will
initially be six and may be changed  by a resolution of the Board of  Directors.
Executive  officers are elected by  the Board of Directors.  There are no family
relationships among any of the directors and executive officers of the Company.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
    Directors currently receive no cash compensation from the Company for  their
services  as members of the Board of  Directors. They are reimbursed for certain
expenses in connection with attendance at Board and Committee meetings.
 
    All  of   Aviron's   non-employee   directors  are   entitled   to   receive
non-discretionary   annual  stock   option  grants  under   the  Company's  1996
Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan  (the "Directors' Plan"). Each  option
granted  pursuant to the Directors' Plan has an exercise price equal to the fair
market value  of the  Common Stock  on  the date  of grant,  and is  subject  to
three-year  vesting in equal  annual installments. The  Directors' Plan provides
for initial grants of  options to purchase 15,000  shares for each  non-employee
director  who  joins the  Board following  the offering,  plus annual  grants of
options to purchase 3,000 shares.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table sets forth certain  compensation awarded or paid by  the
Company  during the  fiscal year  ended December 31,  1995 to  its President and
Chief Executive Officer and four of  the Company's other executive officers  who
earned more than $100,000 during the year ended December 31, 1995 (collectively,
the "Named Executive Officers"):
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                    ------------------------
                                                               OTHER ANNUAL       ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                          SALARY    COMPENSATION    COMPENSATION (1)
- --------------------------------------------------  --------  --------------   ----------------
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>              <C>
J. Leighton Read, M.D. ...........................  $210,000  $  --                $   743
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief
  Financial Officer
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D. (2) .......................   222,500     --                 20,381
  President and Chief Operating Officer
Martin L. Bryant, M.D., Ph.D. (3) ................   153,333   120,411(4)(5)           940
  Vice President, Research
Victor Jegede, Ph.D. (6) .........................   156,667    92,639(4)            1,555
  Vice President, Technical Affairs
Vera Kallmeyer, M.D., Ph.D. ......................   148,167     --                    304
  Vice President, Corporate Development
</TABLE>
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
- -------------------
(1)  Includes group term life insurance paid by the Company and reimbursement by
    the Company of $18,120 paid  by Dr. Cano as a  premium payment on his  split
    dollar life insurance policy.
 
(2)  Dr. Cano  resigned as a  director, officer  and employee of  the Company in
    April 1996.
 
(3) Dr. Bryant began his employment with the Company on January 16, 1995.
 
(4) Includes reimbursement  of moving,  housing and other  expenses incurred  in
    connection with relocating to California as follows: for Dr. Bryant, $45,308
    in direct reimbursement, $16,000 in relocation assistance, $8,000 in monthly
    housing  assistance, and  $25,953 in  federal income  tax gross-up;  for Dr.
    Jegede, $47,042 in direct  reimbursement, $16,000 in relocation  assistance,
    $6,500  in monthly  housing assistance,  and $23,097  in federal  income tax
    gross-up.
 
(5) Includes $25,000 paid  to Dr. Bryant  in March 1995  as reimbursement for  a
    bonus forfeited upon Dr. Bryant's leaving his former employer.
 
(6) Dr. Jegede began his employment with the Company on January 9, 1995.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                                     -----------------------------
                                      NUMBER OF           %                                  POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                      SECURITIES      OF TOTAL                                    ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK PRICE
                                      UNDERLYING   OPTIONS GRANTED   EXERCISE                   APPRECIATION FOR OPTION TERM (3)
                                       OPTIONS     TO EMPLOYEES IN   PRICE PER   EXPIRATION  --------------------------------------
NAME                                   GRANTED     FISCAL YEAR (1)   SHARE (2)      DATE         0%           5%           10%
- -----------------------------------  ------------  ---------------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>              <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>
J. Leighton Read, M.D..............      60,000            19.4%     $    0.50     05/08/05  $  690,000  $  1,124,700  $  1,787,100
                                         20,000(4)          6.5           0.50     05/08/05     230,000       374,900       595,700
                                         20,000(4)          6.5           1.25     12/12/05     215,000       350,450       556,850
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D. (5).........      40,000            12.9           0.50     05/08/05     460,000       749,800     1,191,400
Martin L. Bryant, M.D., Ph.D.......      24,000             7.8           0.50     03/14/05     276,000       449,880       714,840
Victor Jegede, Ph.D................      24,000             7.8           0.50     03/14/05     276,000       449,880       714,840
Vera Kallmeyer, M.D., Ph.D.........       4,000             1.3           0.50     05/08/05      46,000        74,980       119,140
                                          5,000             1.6           0.50     05/08/05      57,500        93,725       148,925
                                         15,000             4.9           0.50     05/08/05     172,500       281,175       446,775
                                         20,000             6.5           1.25     12/12/05     215,000       350,450       556,850
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1)  Based on an aggregate of 309,000 options granted to employees and directors
    of the Company in  fiscal 1995, including the  Named Executive Officers  set
    forth  in the "Summary Compensation Table"  above and directors set forth in
    "Director Compensation" above.
 
(2) The exercise price is equal to 100%  of the fair market value of the  Common
    Stock at the date of grant.
 
(3) The potential realizable value is calculated based on the term of the option
    at  the time of grant (ten years).  Stock price appreciation of five percent
    and ten percent is assumed pursuant  to rules promulgated by the  Securities
    and  Exchange Commission and does not  represent the Company's prediction of
    its  stock  price  performance.  The   potential  realizable  value  of   0%
    appreciation  measures the value of the option at effectiveness based on the
    assumed initial public offering price per share of $12.00 less the  exercise
    price.  The  potential  realizable  value  at  5%  and  10%  appreciation is
    calculated by  assuming  that  the assumed  initial  public  offering  price
    appreciates at the indicated rate for the entire term of the option and that
    the  option is exercised at  the exercise price and sold  on the last day of
    its term at the appreciated price.
 
(4) Options granted outside of the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.
 
(5) Dr. Cano  resigned as a  director, officer  and employee of  the Company  in
    April 1996.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
                AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                                        UNDERLYING              VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                                   UNEXERCISED OPTIONS          IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                         SHARES                    AT DECEMBER 31, 1995         AT DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                       ACQUIRED ON     VALUE    --------------------------  -----------------------------
NAME                                    EXERCISE     REALIZED   EXERCISABLE  UNEXERCISABLE  EXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE (1)
- ------------------------------------  -------------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ------------  ---------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>
J. Leighton Read, M.D...............      60,000(2)  $  15,000      40,000        --        $    445,000    $   --
Francis R. Cano, Ph.D...............       --           --         110,000        30,000       1,282,500        352,500
Martin L. Bryant, M.D., Ph.D........       --           --          --            24,000         --             276,000
Victor Jegede, Ph.D.................       --           --          --            24,000         --             276,000
Vera Kallmeyer, M.D., Ph.D..........       --           --          14,780        49,220         169,970        551,030
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
(1)  Based on  the assumed  initial public offering  price of  $12.00 per share,
    minus the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares underlying  the
    option.
 
(2) As of June 1, 1996, 34,200 of the shares acquired upon exercise were subject
    to repurchase by the Company.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS
 
    The  Company's offer of employment to Martin L. Bryant, Ph.D., the Company's
Vice President,  Research, in  December  1994, provided  for an  initial  annual
salary of $160,000 and payment of $25,000 as reimbursement for a bonus forfeited
by Dr. Bryant when he left his previous employer. The Company also agreed to pay
certain  relocation expenses and to  loan Dr. Bryant up  to $50,000 in aggregate
principal amount due in five years, at  7.75% simple interest, to assist him  in
the  purchase of a  home. Interest on  this loan will  be forgiven annually, and
principal will be forgiven annually at the rate  of 20% per year as long as  Dr.
Bryant remains with the Company.
 
    The  Company's offer of employment to Victor A. Jegede, Ph.D., the Company's
Vice President, Technical  Affairs, in  December 1994, provided  for an  initial
annual  salary of  $160,000. The Company  also agreed to  pay certain relocation
expenses and to loan Dr. Jegede up to $50,000 in aggregate principal amount  due
in  five years,  at 7.75% simple  interest, to assist  him in the  purchase of a
home. Interest on  this loan will  be forgiven annually,  and principal will  be
forgiven annually at the rate of 20% per year as long as Dr. Jegede remains with
the Company.
 
    The  Company's offer of  employment to Eric J.  Patzer, Ph.D., the Company's
Vice President, Development, in  December 1995, provided  for an initial  annual
salary  of $185,000 and a bonus payment of $25,000 upon signing of the agreement
and $25,000 after the completion of one year of service. The Company also agreed
to pay certain  relocation expenses and  to loan  Dr. Patzer up  to $100,000  in
aggregate  principal  amount due  in five  years, at  7.75% simple  interest, to
assist him in the purchase of a home. Interest on this loan, when made, will  be
forgiven  annually, and principal will  be forgiven annually at  the rate of 20%
per year as long as Dr. Patzer remains with the Company.
 
    The Company's offer of employment to Paul M. Mendelman, M.D., the  Company's
Vice President, Clinical Research, in April 1996, provided for an initial annual
salary  of  $185,000  and  a  bonus  payment  of  $25,000  upon  Dr. Mendelman's
acceptance of the offer. The Company also agreed to reimburse Dr. Mendelman  for
certain  relocation  expenses  and  to  loan Dr.  Mendelman  up  to  $100,000 in
aggregate principal  amount due  in five  years, at  7.75% simple  interest,  to
assist  him in the purchase of a home. Interest on this loan, when made, will be
forgiven annually and principal will be forgiven at the rate of 20% per year  as
long as Dr. Mendelman remains with the Company.
 
    Francis  R. Cano, Ph.D. resigned as  Director, President and Chief Operating
Officer of  the Company  effective  April 19,  1996.  Pursuant to  an  agreement
between  Dr. Cano and  the Company, Dr. Cano  will continue to  be employed as a
consultant by the Company until April 18, 1997. In consideration for Dr.  Cano's
consulting  services, the  Company will  continue to  pay Dr.  Cano's salary and
benefits during the consulting period.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTION PLANS
 
    EQUITY  INCENTIVE PLAN.   In March 1996,  the Board adopted  the 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan (the  "Incentive Plan") as  an amendment and  restatement of  its
1992  Stock Option Plan and increased the number of shares reserved for issuance
under the Incentive Plan  to 1,750,000 shares. The  Incentive Plan provides  for
grants  of incentive stock options to employees (including officers and employee
directors) and  nonstatutory stock  options, restricted  stock purchase  awards,
stock bonuses and stock appreciation rights to employees (including officers and
employee  directors) and  consultants of  the Company.  It is  intended that the
Incentive Plan  will  be  administered  by  the  Compensation  Committee,  which
determines  recipients and types of awards to be granted, including the exercise
price, number of shares subject to the award and the exercisability thereof.
 
    The term of a  stock option granted under  the Incentive Plan generally  may
not  exceed 10 years. The exercise price  of options granted under the Incentive
Plan is determined by the Board of  Directors, but, in the case of an  incentive
stock  option, cannot be less  than 100% of the fair  market value of the Common
Stock on the date of  grant or, in the case  of 10% stockholders, not less  than
110%  of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. Options
granted under the Incentive Plan to new employees and consultants generally will
vest at the  rate of of  the shares subject  to the option  on the first  annual
anniversary  of the date  of hire and 1/48th  of such shares at  the end of each
calendar month thereafter. No  option may be transferred  by the optionee  other
than  by will  or the  laws of  descent or  distribution or,  in certain limited
instances, pursuant to a qualified  domestic relations order. An optionee  whose
relationship  with the Company or any  related corporation ceases for any reason
(other than by death or permanent and total disability) may exercise options  in
the  three-month period following such  cessation (unless such options terminate
or expire sooner by their terms) or  in such longer period as may be  determined
by the Board of Directors.
 
    Shares  subject  to options  which have  lapsed or  terminated may  again be
subject to options granted under the  Incentive Plan. Furthermore, the Board  of
Directors  may  offer to  exchange new  options for  existing options,  with the
shares subject to the existing options again becoming available for grant  under
the  Incentive Plan.  In the event  of a decline  in the value  of the Company's
Common Stock, the Board  of Directors has the  authority to offer optionees  the
opportunity  to replace outstanding higher priced  options with new lower priced
options.
 
    Restricted stock purchase  awards granted  under the Incentive  Plan may  be
granted  pursuant to a repurchase  option in favor of  the Company in accordance
with a vesting  schedule determined  by the Board.  The purchase  price of  such
awards  will be at least 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant. Stock bonuses may  be awarded in consideration for past  services
without  a purchase payment.  Stock appreciation rights  authorized for issuance
under the Incentive  Plan may  be tandem stock  appreciation rights,  concurrent
stock appreciation rights or independent stock appreciation rights.
 
    Upon  any merger or consolidation in which  the Company is not the surviving
corporation, all outstanding  awards under  the Incentive Plan  shall either  be
assumed  or  substituted  by  the  surviving  entity.  If  the  surviving entity
determines not to assume or substitute  such awards, the time during which  such
awards  may be exercised shall  be accelerated and the  awards terminated if not
exercised prior to the merger or consolidation.
 
    As of June  1, 1996, 643,480  options were outstanding  under the  Incentive
Plan,  with  1,106,520  shares  reserved for  future  grants  or  purchases. The
Incentive Plan will terminate in January  2006, unless terminated sooner by  the
Board of Directors. See Note 7 of Notes to Financial Statements.
 
    EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.  In March 1996, the Board adopted the Employee
Stock  Purchase  Plan (the  "Purchase Plan")  covering  an aggregate  of 250,000
shares of Common Stock. The Purchase Plan is intended to qualify as an  employee
stock  purchase plan within  the meaning of  Section 423 of  the Code. Under the
Purchase Plan, the Board  of Directors may  authorize participation by  eligible
employees,  including officers, in periodic  offerings following the adoption of
the Purchase Plan. The offering period for any offering will be no more than  27
months.
 
    Employees  are eligible to participate if  they are employed by the Company,
or an affiliate  of the Company  designated by  the Board of  Directors, for  at
least  20 hours per week and are employed by the Company, or an affiliate of the
Company designated by  the Board, for  at least five  months per calendar  year.
Employees who
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
participate  in  an offering  can  have up  to  15% of  their  earnings withheld
pursuant to the Purchase Plan. The amount withheld will then be used to purchase
shares of  the  Common Stock  on  specified dates  determined  by the  Board  of
Directors.  The price of Common Stock purchased  under the Purchase Plan will be
equal to 85% of the lower  of the fair market value  of the Common Stock on  the
commencement  date of  each offering period  or on the  specified purchase date.
Employees may end  their participation in  the offering at  any time during  the
offering  period. Participation ends automatically  on termination of employment
with the Company.
 
    In the  event  of a  merger,  reorganization, consolidation  or  liquidation
involving  the Company, in  which the Company is  not the surviving corporation,
the Board of  Directors has discretion  to provide that  each right to  purchase
Common Stock will be assumed or an equivalent right substituted by the successor
corporation,  or the Board may  shorten the offering period  and provide for all
sums collected by payroll deductions to be applied to purchase stock immediately
prior to such merger or other  transaction. The Purchase Plan will terminate  at
the  Board's discretion. The Board  has the authority to  amend or terminate the
Purchase Plan,  subject to  the limitation  that no  such action  may  adversely
affect  any outstanding rights to purchase Common  Stock. See Note 7 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
 
    1996 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS' STOCK  OPTION PLAN.  In  March 1996, the  Board
adopted  the  1996 Non-Employee  Directors' Stock  Option Plan  (the "Directors'
Plan") to  provide for  the automatic  grant of  options to  purchase shares  of
Common  Stock to non-employee  directors of the Company.  The Directors' Plan is
administered  by   the  Board   of  Directors,   unless  the   Board   delegates
administration to a committee comprised of members of the Board.
 
    The  maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to
options granted under the Directors' Plan  is 200,000. Pursuant to the terms  of
the  Directors' Plan, each director of the Company not otherwise employed by the
Company and who is first elected as a non-employee director after the completion
of this offering  automatically will  be granted  an option  to purchase  15,000
shares  of Common Stock upon such election. Finally, each director who continues
to serve as a non-employee director of the Company will be granted an additional
option to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock on December 31 of each year. All
such options vest one-third on  the first anniversary of  the date of grant  and
one-third per year thereafter.
 
    In   the  event   of  a   merger,  consolidation,   reverse  reorganization,
dissolution, sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or  certain
changes  in the beneficial ownership of the Company's securities representing at
least a  50%  change of  such  ownership,  then options  outstanding  under  the
Directors' Plan will automatically become fully vested and will terminate if not
exercised prior to such event.
 
    No  option  granted under  the Directors'  Plan may  be exercised  after the
expiration of ten  years from the  date it  was granted. The  exercise price  of
options under the Directors' Plan will equal the fair market value of the Common
Stock  on the date of grant. The Directors' Plan will terminate in January 2006,
unless earlier  terminated  by the  Board.  See Note  7  of Notes  to  Financial
Statements.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
    In  June and  July 1992,  14 investors  purchased an  aggregate of 5,000,000
shares of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock at a per share price of  $0.50.
Institutional  Venture Partners V  and Institutional Venture  Management V, each
affiliated with Institutional Venture Partners ("IVP"), purchased 2,955,000  and
45,000  shares,  respectively,  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock.  IVP  is  a  5%
stockholder of the Company, and Reid W. Dennis and L. James Strand, directors of
the Company, are each General Partners of IVP. J. Leighton Read, M.D.,  Chairman
of  the Board of Directors, Chief  Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
of the  Company, and  Bernard  Roizman, a  director  of the  Company,  purchased
500,000 and 100,000 shares, respectively, of Series A Preferred Stock. Albert L.
Zesiger, a member of Zesiger Capital Group LLC, a 5% stockholder of the Company,
purchased  300,000 shares of Series A  Preferred Stock. Peter Palese and Richard
Whitley, two  of the  founders  of the  Company,  purchased 100,000  and  10,000
shares,  respectively, of Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock
purchased by the IVP  affiliates and by Drs.  Read, Roizman, Palese and  Whitley
were  purchased on  the same  terms and conditions  as Series  A Preferred Stock
purchased by other investors. The Series  A Preferred Stock is convertible  into
Common  Stock of the Company at  the rate of one share  of Common Stock for each
five shares of Series A Preferred Stock owned.
 
    In September 1993, 34 investors purchased an aggregate of 16,666,667  shares
of  the  Company's Series  B  Preferred Stock  at a  per  share price  of $0.90.
Institutional  Venture  Partners  V  and  Institutional  Venture  Management   V
purchased  1,361,667  and 27,767  shares,  respectively, of  Series  B Preferred
Stock. In addition, Institutional Venture  Partners V and Institutional  Venture
Management  V  received 1,633,333  shares  and 33,333  shares,  respectively, of
Series B Preferred Stock upon  conversion of promissory notes, bearing  interest
at  a 4% annualized rate and aggregating $1,500,000, which the Company issued to
these entities in connection with bridge  loan financing in June 1993.  Entities
affiliated  with  Accel Partners,  a 5%  stockholder  of the  Company, purchased
shares of Series B Preferred Stock  as follows: Accel IV L.P., 2,811,111  shares
and  Accel Japan L.P., 244,444  shares. Paul H. Klingenstein,  a director of the
Company, is a General Partner of Accel Partners. Entities controlled by  Zesiger
Capital  Group  LLC, an  affiliate  of Abingworth  Bioventures  SICAV, purchased
2,065,000 shares  of Series  B  Preferred Stock.  Abingworth Bioventures,  a  5%
stockholder  of the  Company, purchased 2,777,778  shares of  Series B Preferred
Stock. Entities affiliated with Brinson Partners, Inc., a 5% stockholder of  the
Company,  purchased shares of Series B Preferred Stock as follows: Brinson Trust
Company as trustee of the Brinson MAP Venture Capital Fund III, 311,598  shares,
and  Brinson  Venture  Capital Fund  III,  1,910,624 shares.  Peter  Palese also
purchased 55,556 shares  of Series  B Preferred  Stock. The  Series B  Preferred
Stock  purchased by the affiliates of 5%  stockholders of the Company and by Dr.
Palese were purchased on the same terms and conditions as the Series B Preferred
Stock purchased by other investors. The Series B Preferred Stock is  convertible
into  Common Stock of the Company  at the rate of one  share of Common Stock for
each five shares of Series B Preferred Stock owned.
 
    In September 1993, the Company issued warrants to purchase 400,000 shares of
its Series B Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1.25 per share to entities
affiliated with IVP. The warrants expired unexercised in June 1995.
 
    In May  1995, Sang-A  Pharm. Co.,  Ltd., a  5% stockholder  of the  Company,
purchased  2,941,863 shares of Series C Preferred  Stock at $1.35 per share. The
Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock of the Company at  the
rate  of one share  of Common Stock for  each five shares  of Series C Preferred
Stock owned.
 
    From July  through November  1995, 66  investors purchased  an aggregate  of
13,099,707 shares of the Company's Series C Preferred Stock at a per share price
of  $1.35. Dr.  Bernard Roizman  purchased 20,000  shares of  Series C Preferred
Stock. Institutional Venture Partners V  and Institutional Venture Management  V
purchased  653,332 and 13,335 shares, respectively, of Series C Preferred Stock.
Various entities affiliated  with Accel  Partners purchased shares  of Series  C
Preferred  Stock as follows:  Accel Investors '93 L.P.,  41,112 shares; Accel IV
L.P., 930,000  shares; Accel  Japan L.P.,  88,890 shares;  Accel Keiretsu  L.P.,
20,000  shares;  Ellmore  C.  Patterson  Partners,  24,444  shares;  and Prosper
Partners, 6,666 shares. Sang-A  Pharm. Co., Ltd.  purchased 1,187,295 shares  of
Series C Preferred Stock. Orefund, whose investment in the Company is controlled
by  Zesiger Capital Group LLC, purchased  1,481,400 shares of Series C Preferred
Stock. Abingworth  Bioventures  SICAV  purchased  370,370  shares  of  Series  C
Preferred Stock. Biotech Growth, a 5% stockholder of the
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
Company,  purchased  3,000,000  shares  of Series  C  Preferred  Stock. Entities
affiliated with Brinson Partners,  Inc. purchased shares  of Series C  Preferred
Stock  as follows: First National  Bank of Chicago, as  custodian to the Brinson
MAP Venture Capital Fund III, 36,872 shares, and First National Bank of Chicago,
as custodian to  the Brinson  Venture Capital  Fund III,  226,091 shares.  Sally
Whitley,  wife of Richard Whitley purchased  10,000 shares of Series C Preferred
Stock. The Series  C Preferred shares  purchased by the  5% stockholders of  the
Company  and their affiliates and by Dr. Roizman and Mrs. Whitley were purchased
on the same terms and conditions as Series C Preferred shares purchased by other
investors. The Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock of  the
Company  at the rate of one share of Common Stock for each five shares of Series
C Preferred Stock owned.
 
    In March 1996, Sang-A Pharm Co.,  Ltd. purchased 136,326 shares of Series  C
Preferred  Stock, at a price of $1.35 per share. The Series C Preferred Stock is
convertible into Common Stock of the Company at the rate of one share of  Common
Stock for each five shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned.
 
    Vera  Kallmeyer, Vice President, Corporate Development  of the Company, is a
founder, senior  advisor,  and  15% shareholder  of  Pacific  Futures  (formerly
Pacific  Century),  a  Hong  Kong-based  investment  advisory  business. Pacific
Futures received a sales commission on the  sale of Series C Preferred Stock  to
Sang-A,  in an aggregate amount of  $334,462 during 1995. Dr. Kallmeyer received
no portion of such sales commission,  and is currently receiving no salary  from
Pacific Futures.
 
    Pursuant  to certain  offer letters to  certain of its  senior officers, the
Company made loans to  these officers to facilitate  home purchases and  certain
other commitments. As of June 1, 1996, the amounts outstanding for principal and
interest on these loans was $40,388 to Martin L. Bryant and $40,388 to Victor A.
Jegede. See "Management -- Employment Contracts."
 
    In  January 1996, the  Company extended loans to  certain senior officers to
facilitate the early  exercise of options  to purchase shares  of Common  Stock,
including  loans of $70,000 to Dr. Patzer; $65,000 to Dr. Bryant; $65,000 to Dr.
Jegede; $70,000 to Dr. Cano; and $40,000 to Dr. Kallmeyer. The loans bear simple
interest at a  rate of  5.73% per year.  Principal on  each loan is  due on  the
earlier of 50 months from the date of the underlying option grant or the date of
employment termination.
 
    See also "Management -- Employment Contracts."
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
    The  following  table sets  forth  certain information  regarding beneficial
ownership of the  Company's Common Stock  as of June  1, 1996 held  by (i)  each
person  who is  known by  the Company to  own beneficially  more than  5% of the
outstanding shares  of Common  Stock,  (ii) each  director and  Named  Executive
Officer  of the Company, and  (iii) all directors and  executive officers of the
Company as a group.  Unless otherwise indicated below,  to the knowledge of  the
Company,  all persons  listed below have  sole voting and  investment power with
respect to  their shares  of Common  Stock, except  to the  extent authority  is
shared  by spouses  under applicable law.  Except as otherwise  noted below, the
address of  each person  listed below  is c/o  the Company,  297 North  Bernardo
Avenue, Mountain View, California 94043.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                             SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                                                                                  OWNED (1)
                                                                                 SHARES      -------------------
                                                                              BENEFICIALLY   PRIOR TO    AFTER
BENEFICIAL OWNER                                                               OWNED (1)     OFFERING   OFFERING
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------   --------   --------
<S>                                                                           <C>            <C>        <C>
Entities affiliated with Institutional Venture Partners (2) ................   1,344,553      15.02%     10.94%
  3000 Sand Hill Road
  Building 2, Suite 290
  Menlo Park, CA 94025
Sang-A Pharm. Co., Ltd. (3) ................................................     853,096       9.53%      9.66%
  640-9 Deung Chon Dung
  Kangseo-Ku
  Seoul, South Korea
Entities affiliated with Accel Partners (4) ................................     833,330       9.31%      6.78%
  One Embarcadero Center, Suite 3820
  San Francisco, CA 94111
Entities controlled by Zesiger Capital Group LLC (5) .......................     769,280       8.59%      6.26%
  320 Park Avenue
  New York, NY 10022
Abingworth Bioventures SICAV ...............................................     629,629       7.03%      5.12%
  26 St. James's Street
  London SW1A 1HA England
Biotech Growth .............................................................     600,000       6.70%      4.88%
  Bellevue Asset Management
  Grundstrasse 12
  CH-6343 Rotkreuz
  Switzerland
Entities affiliated with Brinson Partners, Inc. (6) ........................     497,035       5.55%      4.05%
  209 South LaSalle Street, Suite 114
  Chicago, IL 60604-1295
J. Leighton Read, M.D. (7)..................................................     395,000       4.41%      3.22%
Martin L. Bryant, M.D., Ph.D. (8)...........................................      34,640       *          *
Victor Jegede, Ph.D. (9)....................................................      34,640       *          *
Vera Kallmeyer, M.D., Ph.D. (10)............................................      45,673       *          *
Eric J. Patzer, Ph.D. (11)..................................................      40,000       *          *
Reid W. Dennis (2)..........................................................   1,344,553      15.02%     10.94%
Paul H. Klingenstein (4)....................................................     833,330       9.31%      6.78%
Bernard Roizman, Sc.D. (12).................................................     175,200       1.96%      1.43%
Jane E. Shaw, Ph.D. (13)....................................................       4,000       *          *
L. James Strand, M.D. (14)..................................................   1,354,553      15.12%     11.02%
All directors and executive officers as a group
  (11 persons) (15).........................................................   2,917,036      32.38%     23.63%
</TABLE>
 
- -------------------
*   Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of
    the Company's Common Stock.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
(1)  Calculated  as  if all  outstanding  shares  of Preferred  Stock  have been
    converted into Common Stock at a ratio of five shares of Preferred Stock for
    one share of Common Stock. Beneficial ownership is determined in  accordance
    with  the  rules of  the Securities  and  Exchange Commission  and generally
    includes voting or investment power  with respect to securities.  Beneficial
    ownership  also includes  shares of  stock subject  to options  and warrants
    currently exercisable or convertible,  or exercisable or convertible  within
    60  days of the  date of this  table. Percentage of  beneficial ownership is
    based on 8,952,657 shares  of Common Stock outstanding  as of June 1,  1996,
    and  12,285,990 shares of Common Stock  outstanding after completion of this
    offering and the concurrent sale of the Sang-A Shares.
 
(2) Includes  1,320,666 shares  held  by Institutional  Venture Partners  V  and
    23,887  shares  held by  Institutional Venture  Management  V, of  which Mr.
    Dennis, a  Director  of the  Company  is a  general  partner.  Institutional
    Venture  Management  V  is  the  general  partner  of  Institutional Venture
    Partners V. Mr. Dennis disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held  by
    Institutional  Venture Partners  V and  Institutional Venture  Management V,
    except to the extent of his pecuniary interests therein.
 
(3)  Percentage  of  shares  beneficially  owned  after  offering  includes  the
    estimated  333,333  shares Sang-A  intends to  purchase concurrent  with the
    offering.
 
(4) Includes 697,500 shares held by Accel IV, L.P., 66,666 shares held by  Accel
    Japan,  L.P., 30,833 shares held by Accel Investors '93, L.P., 18,332 shares
    held by Ellmore C. Patterson Partners, 15,000 shares held by Accel Keiretsu,
    L.P. and 4,999 shares held by Prosper Partners. Mr. Klingenstein, a Director
    of the Company  is a  general partner  of Accel  Partners. Mr.  Klingenstein
    disclaims  beneficial ownership of the shares  held by Accel IV, L.P., Accel
    Japan, L.P.,  Accel  Investors '93,  L.P.,  Ellmore C.  Patterson  Partners,
    Prosper  Partners  and Accel  Keiretsu, L.P.,  except to  the extent  of his
    pecuniary interests therein.
 
(5) Includes  8,000 shares  held by  A. Carey  Zesiger Revocable  Trust,  22,000
    shares  held by  Atwell & Co.,  11,000 shares  held by Batrus  & Co., 11,000
    shares held by Booth  & Co., 11,000  shares held by  Calmont & Co.,  100,000
    shares held by Comply & Co., 33,000 shares held by Daly & Co., 28,000 shares
    held by Heil & Co., 17,000 shares held by J.C. Orr & Co., 90,000 shares held
    by  Kane & Co., 17,000 shares held  by Domenic Mizio, 296,280 shares held by
    Orefund, 28,000 shares held by Sigler & Co., 60,000 shares held by Albert L.
    Zesiger, 7,000 shares held by Alexa L. Zesiger, 22,000 shares held by  Barry
    Ramsay  Zesiger and 8,000 shares held  by Nicola L. Zesiger. Zesiger Capital
    Group LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares.
 
(6) Includes 427,342 shares held by  Brinson Venture Capital Fund III, L.P.  and
    69,693  shares held by Brinson  Trust Company as Trustee  of The Brinson MAP
    Venture Capital Fund III.
 
(7) Includes 40,000 shares Dr. Read  acquired pursuant to the exercise of  stock
    options.  Also includes an aggregate of  110,000 shares acquired pursuant to
    an early exercise of stock options, of which an aggregate of 76,400 will  be
    subject  to repurchase by the Company as  of July 31, 1996. Also includes an
    aggregate of 32,000 shares held by The Travis Read 1993 Trust and The  Haley
    Read  1993 Trust (the  "Trusts") of which Robert  Fitzwilson is the trustee.
    Dr. Read disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Trusts.
 
(8) Includes  26,000 shares  acquired pursuant  to an  early exercise  of  stock
    options,  of which 22,880 will be subject to repurchase by the Company as of
    July 31,  1996. Also  includes 8,640  shares  Dr. Bryant  has the  right  to
    acquire pursuant to options exercisable as of July 31, 1996.
 
(9)  Includes  26,000 shares  acquired pursuant  to an  early exercise  of stock
    options, of which 22,880 will be subject to repurchase by the Company as  of
    July  31,  1996. Also  includes 8,640  shares  Dr. Jegede  has the  right to
    acquire pursuant to options exercisable as of July 31, 1996.
 
(10) Includes 16,000  shares acquired  pursuant to  an early  exercise of  stock
    options,  of which 14,080 will be subject to repurchase by the Company as of
    July 31, 1996. Also  includes 29,673 shares Dr.  Kallmeyer has the right  to
    acquire pursuant to options exercisable as of July 31, 1996.
 
(11)  Includes 40,000  shares acquired  pursuant to  an early  exercise of stock
    options, all of which are subject to repurchase by the Company.
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
(12) Includes 12,000 shares which are  subject to repurchase by the Company  and
    1,200  shares  Dr. Roizman  has  the right  to  acquire pursuant  to options
    exercisable as of July 31, 1996.
 
(13) Includes 4,000 shares Dr. Shaw has the right to acquire pursuant to options
    exercisable as of July 31, 1996.
 
(14) Includes 1,320,666 shares  held by Institutional  Venture Partners V  ("IVP
    V"),  of which Dr.  Strand is a  limited partner, and  23,887 shares held by
    Insitutional Venture Management V,  which is the general  partner of IVP  V,
    and  5,000 shares Dr.  Strand has the  right to acquire  pursuant to options
    exercisable as of July 31,  1996. Dr. Strand disclaims beneficial  ownership
    of the shares held by IVP V and Institutional Venture Management V.
 
(15)  Includes  2,177,883  shares  held  by  entities  affiliated  with  certain
    directors of the Company as described in footnotes 2 and 3 above and  57,153
    shares subject to options exercisable as of July 31, 1996.
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The  following description of  the capital stock of  the Company and certain
provisions of  the  Company's Certificate  of  Incorporation and  Bylaws  to  be
effective  upon completion of this offering is a summary and is qualified in its
entirety by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which
have been filed as  exhibits to the Company's  Registration Statement, of  which
this Prospectus is a part.
 
    Upon  the  closing of  this offering,  the authorized  capital stock  of the
Company will consist of 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001  and
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
    Upon  completion of this offering, there will be 12,285,990 shares of Common
Stock outstanding (plus up to 38,888 shares that may be issued upon exercise  of
outstanding  warrants). The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote for
each  share  held  of  record  on  all  matters  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the
stockholders.  The holders of Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting
rights with respect to the election of directors, and as a consequence, minority
stockholders will not be  able to elect  directors on the  basis of their  votes
alone.
 
    Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding shares
of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such
dividends  as may  be declared by  the Board  of Directors out  of funds legally
available therefore.  See  "Dividend  Policy."  In  the  event  of  liquidation,
dissolution  or  winding up  of the  Company,  holders of  the Common  Stock are
entitled to share ratably in all  assets remaining after payment of  liabilities
and  the  liquidation preference  of any  then  outstanding shares  of Preferred
Stock. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights and no right to convert
their Common Stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking
fund provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common
Stock are, and all shares of Common  Stock to be outstanding upon completion  of
this offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Upon  the closing of  this offering, all outstanding  Preferred Stock of the
Company will be converted  into Common Stock. The  Board of Directors will  have
the  authority,  without further  action  by the  stockholders,  to issue  up to
5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the rights,
preferences, privileges  and restrictions  thereof, including  dividend  rights,
conversion  rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences,
sinking fund  terms and  the number  of shares  constituting any  series or  the
designation  of  such  series,  without  any  further  vote  or  action  by  the
stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock could adversely affect the  voting
power  of holders  of Common  Stock and  the likelihood  that such  holders will
receive dividend payments and payments upon  liquidation may have the effect  of
delaying,  deferring or  preventing a  change in  control of  the Company, which
could have  a depressive  effect on  the market  price of  the Company's  Common
Stock. The Company has no present plan to issue any shares of Preferred Stock.
 
WARRANTS
 
    In February 1993, the Company entered into an agreement with The Mount Sinai
School  of Medicine of  the City University  of New York  ("Mount Sinai"), under
which Mount Sinai transferred to the  Company rights to certain patents,  patent
applications,  and associated  know-how and  other technical  information. Mount
Sinai also granted the Company (i) an option to acquire any improvements to  the
inventions  disclosed in the licensed patents and patent applications thereafter
developed by Mount Sinai and (ii) a right of first negotiation for a license  or
assignment  to certain related technology.  In connection with these agreements,
the Company  issued to  Mount Sinai  warrants (the  "Mount Sinai  Warrants")  to
purchase,  in the  aggregate, 45,000  shares of  Common Stock.  Each Mount Sinai
Warrant is exercisable for a period of five years commencing upon the occurrence
of specified milestone events, which  accelerate upon the effectiveness of  this
offering.  Warrants  to purchase  9,000 shares  are exercisable  at a  per share
exercise price  of  $4.50.  Warrants  to  purchase  29,750  shares  will  become
exercisable  upon the effective date  of this offering, at  a per share exercise
price equal to 125% of the per share
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
price of this offering. Warrants to purchase the remaining 6,250 shares are  not
exercisable  and  will terminate  automatically on  the  effective date  of this
offering according to their terms. See "Business -- Collaborative Agreements  --
The Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the City University of New York."
 
    In  connection  with an  agreement entered  into in  February 1995  with the
University of Michigan  ("Michigan"), under  which Michigan  transferred to  the
Company  certain  intellectual  property rights  and  technology  (the "Michigan
Technology"), the Company agreed to issue  to Michigan a warrant (the  "Michigan
Warrant")  to purchase shares of its Common Stock upon the first commercial sale
of a product incorporating the Michigan Technology, for a number of shares equal
to 1.25% of  the total  issued and outstanding  shares of  the Company's  Common
Stock  as of  the date of  such first  commercial sale (excluding  shares of the
Company's Common Stock issued by the Company in connection with its  acquisition
of  another company,  in connection  with any  corporate partnering transaction,
issued in connection with other technology transfers not involving the  Michigan
Technology,  or unvested  employee or  director option  shares), at  a per share
exercise price equal to  125% of the  price of this  Offering. See "Business  --
Collaborative Agreements -- University of Michigan."
 
    In  connection with  a private  placement of  Series C  Preferred Stock, the
Company issued to the placement agent a warrant to purchase 70,507 shares of its
Common Stock at an exercise  price of $8.10 per  share, exercisable at any  time
through November 9, 2000.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
    The  holders (or  their permitted transferees)  ("Holders") of approximately
8,433,659 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase approximately  148,145
shares  of  Common Stock  are entitled  to  certain rights  with respect  to the
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. If the Company proposes to
register any of  its securities  under the Securities  Act, either  for its  own
account  or for the account of other  security holders, the Holders are entitled
to notice of  the registration  and are entitled  to include,  at the  Company's
expense,  such shares therein.  In addition, certain of  the Holders may require
the Company at its expense on not more than two occasions at any time  beginning
approximately six months from the date of this Prospectus to file a Registration
Statement  under  the Securities  Act, with  respect to  their shares  of Common
Stock, and  the Company  is  required to  use its  best  efforts to  effect  the
registration,  subject  to  certain  conditions  and  limitations.  Further, the
Holders may require the Company at its expense to register their shares on  Form
S-3  when  such  form  becomes  available to  the  Company,  subject  to certain
conditions and limitations.
 
DELAWARE ANTI-TAKEOVER LAW AND CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS
 
    Upon completion of  the Company's reincorporation  in Delaware, the  Company
will  be  subject to  the  provisions of  Section  203 of  the  Delaware General
Corporation Law  (the "Delaware  Law"), an  anti-takeover law.  In general,  the
statute  prohibits  a  publicly-held  Delaware corporation  from  engaging  in a
"business combination" with an  "interested stockholder" for  a period of  three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested
stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
A  "business combination"  includes a  merger, asset  sale or  other transaction
resulting in a  financial benefit to  the stockholder. For  purposes of  Section
203,  an "interested stockholder" is a  person who, together with affiliates and
associates, owns (or  within three  years prior,  did own)  15% or  more of  the
corporation's voting stock.
 
    Upon  completion of the Company's reincorporation in Delaware, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation will  provide that each director  will serve for  a
three-year  term, with  approximately one-third of  the directors  to be elected
annually. Candidates  for  director  may  be nominated  only  by  the  Board  of
Directors  or by a stockholder who gives  written notice to the Company no later
than 60 days prior nor  earlier than 90 days prior  to the first anniversary  of
the  last annual  meeting of  stockholders. The Company  may have  the number of
directors as determined from  time to time  to pursuant to  a resolution of  the
Board,  which currently consists  of six members.  Between stockholder meetings,
the Board  may  appoint  new  directors  to  fill  vacancies  or  newly  created
directorships.  The  Certificate  will  not  provide  for  cumulative  voting at
stockholder meetings  for  election  of directors.  As  a  result,  stockholders
controlling  more than 50% of the outstanding  Common Stock can elect the entire
Board of Directors, while stockholders controlling 49% of the outstanding Common
Stock may not be able
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
to elect any directors. A director may be removed from office only for cause  by
the  affirmative vote  of a majority  of the  combined voting power  of the then
outstanding shares  of stock  entitled  to vote  generally  in the  election  of
directors.
 
    Upon  completion of the Company's reincorporation in Delaware, the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation will require that any action required or  permitted
to  be taken by  stockholders of the Company  must be effected  at a duly called
annual or special meeting of stockholders and  may not be effected by a  consent
in  writing. The Company's  Certificate of Incorporation  also provides that the
authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the Board of
Directors. See "Management  -- Directors and  Executive Officers." Delaware  Law
and  these charter provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers
or delaying changes in control or management of the Company, which could have  a
depressive effect on the market price of the Company's Common Stock.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
    Upon  completion of the Company's reincorporation in Delaware, the Company's
Certificate of  Incorporation will  contain certain  provisions permitted  under
Delaware  Law relating to the liability of directors. These provisions eliminate
a director's personal liability for monetary damages resulting from a breach  of
fiduciary duty, except in certain circumstances involving certain wrongful acts,
such  as (i) for any breach of the  director's duty of loyalty to the Company or
its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which  involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the
director  derives an improper personal benefit. These provisions do not limit or
eliminate the rights  of the  Company or  any stockholder  to seek  non-monetary
relief,  such  as an  injunction  or rescission,  in the  event  of a  breach of
director's fiduciary duty. These provisions will not alter a directors liability
under federal securities laws. The  Company's Certificate of Incorporation  also
contains  provisions indemnifying the  directors and officers  of the Company to
the fullest extent permitted  by Delaware General  Corporation Law. The  Company
believes  that  these  provisions  will assist  the  Company  in  attracting and
retaining qualified individuals to serve as directors.
 
TRANSFER AGENT
 
    The transfer agent for the Common Stock of the Company is The First National
Bank of Boston.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
    Prior to this offering, there has not been any public market for the  Common
Stock  of the Company. Further  sales of substantial amounts  of Common Stock in
the open  market may  adversely affect  the  market price  of the  Common  Stock
offered hereby.
 
    Upon  completion of this offering, based on the number of shares outstanding
as of June 1, 1996, the Company will have outstanding an aggregate of 12,285,990
shares of Common  Stock assuming (i)  the issuance by  the Company of  3,000,000
shares  of Common Stock offered hereby, (ii)  the issuance of the 333,333 Sang-A
Shares, (iii)  no  issuance  of  148,145 shares  of  Common  Stock  relating  to
outstanding  warrants to purchase Common Stock,  (iv) no exercise of outstanding
options exercisable  to purchase  643,480 shares  of Common  Stock, and  (v)  no
exercise  of the Underwriters' over-allotment  option to purchase 450,000 shares
of Common Stock. Of these shares, 3,000,000 shares sold in this offering will be
freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities
Act, except for  shares held  by "affiliates"  of the  Company as  that term  is
defined  in Rule 144 under  the Securities Act (whose  sales would be subject to
certain limitations  and  restrictions  described  below)  and  the  regulations
promulgated thereunder.
 
    The  remaining  8,952,657  shares held  by  officers,  directors, employees,
consultants and other shareholders  of the Company were  sold by the Company  in
reliance  on exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and are  "restricted"  securities within  the  meaning  of Rule  144  under  the
Securities  Act. Approximately  48,000 of these  shares of Common  Stock will be
eligible for  sale  in  the  public  market  upon  the  effective  date  of  the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part (the "Effective Date")
in reliance on Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act. Beginning 90 days after the
Effective  Date, an additional 109,756 of  these shares will become eligible for
sale subject to the provisions of Rule  144 and Rule 701 of the Securities  Act.
Beginning  180 days after  the Effective Date, an  additional 5,279,881 of these
shares will become eligible for  sale subject to the  provisions of Rule 144  or
Rule 701 upon the expiration of agreements not to sell such shares. In addition,
on  the Effective Date,  148,145 shares subject to  exercisable warrants will be
available for sale,  and beginning  90 days  after the  Effective Date,  283,160
shares  subject  to  vested  options  will be  available  for  sale,  subject to
compliance with Rule 701, and an additional 33,726 shares subject to  additional
vested  options will be  available for sale  upon the expiration  of the Lock-Up
Period described below.
 
    Each officer, director and certain  stockholders of the Company have  agreed
with  the representatives of the Underwriters for a period of 180 days after the
effective date of  this Prospectus  (the "Lock-Up Period"),  subject to  certain
exceptions,  not to offer to sell, contract  to sell, or otherwise sell, dispose
of, loan, pledge or grant any rights with respect to any shares of Common Stock,
any options  or  warrants  to  purchase  any shares  of  Common  Stock,  or  any
securities  convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock owned as
of the date of this Prospectus  or thereafter acquired directly by such  holders
or  with  respect  to  which  they  have  or  hereafter  acquire  the  power  of
disposition, without the prior written consent of Robertson, Stephens & Company.
However, Robertson, Stephens &  Company may, in its  sole discretion and at  any
time  without notice, release  all or any  portion of the  securities subject to
lock-up agreements. In addition, the Company has agreed that during the  Lock-Up
Period,  the Company will  not, without the prior  written consent of Robertson,
Stephens &  Company, subject  to certain  exceptions, issue,  sell, contract  to
sell,  or  otherwise dispose  of, any  shares  of Common  Stock, any  options or
warrants to purchase any  shares of Common Stock  or any securities  convertible
into, exercisable for or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock.
 
    In  general, under  Rule 144  as currently in  effect, a  person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated), including an affiliate, who has beneficially owned
shares for at least two years is entitled to sell, within any three-month period
commencing 90 days after the  Effective Date, a number  of shares that does  not
exceed  the greater  of (i) 1%  of the  then outstanding shares  of Common Stock
(approximately 122,860 shares  outstanding immediately after  this offering)  or
(ii)  the average  weekly trading  volume in  the Common  Stock during  the four
calendar weeks preceding such  sale, subject to  the filing of  a Form 144  with
respect  to  such  sale  and  certain  other  limitations  and  restrictions. In
addition, a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company at
any time during  the three  months preceding a  sale, and  who has  beneficially
owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least three years, would be entitled
to    sell   such   shares   under   Rule   144(k)   without   regard   to   the
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
requirements described above. To  the extent that shares  were acquired from  an
affiliate  of the Company, such stockholder's  holding period for the purpose of
effecting a sale  under Rule  144 commences  on the  date of  transfer from  the
affiliate.
 
    Any  employee,  officer or  director  of or  consultant  to the  Company who
purchased shares or was granted options to purchase shares pursuant to a written
compensatory plan or  contract ("Rule 701  Shares") is entitled  to rely on  the
resale  provisions of  Rule 701. Rule  701 permits non-affiliates  to sell their
Rule  701  Shares  without  having   to  comply  with  the   public-information,
holding-period,  volume-limitation or notice provisions  of Rule 144 and permits
affiliates to  sell their  Rule 701  Shares without  having to  comply with  the
holding  period restrictions of Rule 144, in  each case commencing 90 days after
the Effective  Date.  However, all  officers  and directors  and  certain  other
stockholders have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of Common Stock of the
Company  during  the  Lock-Up  Period  without  the  prior  written  consent  of
Robertson, Stephens & Company. See "Underwriting."
 
    The Company intends to  file a registration  statement under the  Securities
Act  to register shares of  Common Stock reserved for  issuance under the Option
Plan, thus permitting the resale of such shares by non-affiliates in the  public
market without restriction under the Securities Act. Such registration statement
will become effective immediately upon filing.
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING
 
    The   Underwriters  named   below,  acting   through  their  representatives
Robertson, Stephens &  Company LLC, Bear,  Stearns & Co.  Inc., and Hambrecht  &
Quist  LLC (the "Representatives"), have severally  agreed, subject to the terms
and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement,  to purchase from the Company  the
number  of shares  of Common  Stock set  forth opposite  their names  below. The
Underwriters are committed to purchase and pay  for all such shares, if any  are
purchased.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF
                           UNDERWRITER                               SHARES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
<S>                                                                <C>
Robertson, Stephens & Company LLC................................
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc..........................................
Hambrecht & Quist LLC............................................
 
                                                                   ----------
    Total........................................................   3,000,000
                                                                   ----------
                                                                   ----------
</TABLE>
 
    The  Representatives have advised the  Company that the Underwriters propose
to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at the initial public offering
price set forth on the cover page  of this Prospectus and to certain dealers  at
such  price less a  concession of not  more than $           per share, of which
$        may  be reallowed to other dealers. After the initial public  offering,
the  public offering price, concession and reallowance to dealers may be reduced
by the Representatives. No such reduction shall change the amount of proceeds to
be received by the Company as set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus.
 
    The Company has granted  to the Underwriters  an option, exercisable  during
the  30-day period after the date of  this Prospectus, to purchase up to 450,000
additional shares of Common  Stock at the  same price per  share as the  Company
will  receive  for the  3,000,000 shares  that the  Underwriters have  agreed to
purchase. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise such option, each of  the
Underwriters  will have  a firm  commitment to  purchase approximately  the same
percentage of such additional shares that  the number of shares of Common  Stock
to be purchased by it shown in the above table represents as a percentage of the
3,000,000  shares offered hereby.  If purchased, such  additional shares will be
sold by the  Underwriters on  the same  terms as  those on  which the  3,000,000
shares are being sold.
 
    The  Underwriting  Agreement  contains  covenants  of  indemnity  among  the
Underwriters and  the  Company  against  certain  civil  liabilities,  including
liabilities  under the Securities  Act and liabilities  arising from breaches of
representations and warranties contained in the Underwriting Agreement.
 
    Each executive officer and  director and certain  other shareholders of  the
Company have agreed with the Representatives for the Lock-Up Period not to offer
to  sell, contract to sell, or otherwise sell, dispose of, loan, pledge or grant
any rights with respect to any shares  of Common Stock, any options or  warrants
to  purchase any shares of  Common Stock, or any  securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of Common Stock owned as of the date of this  Prospectus
or  thereafter acquired directly by  such holders or with  respect to which they
have or hereinafter acquire the power of disposition, without the prior  written
consent  of Robertson,  Stephens & Company  LLC. However,  Robertson, Stephens &
Company LLC  may, in  its sole  discretion at  any time  or from  time to  time,
without  notice, release  all or  any portion of  the securities  subject to the
lock-up agreements. Approximately 5,279,881 of such shares will be eligible  for
immediate public sale following expiration of the Lock-Up Period, subject to the
provisions  of Rule  144. In  addition, the Company  has agreed  that during the
Lock-Up Period, it  will not, without  the prior written  consent of  Robertson,
Stephens  & Company LLC, issue,  sell, contract to sell  or otherwise dispose of
any shares of Common Stock,  any options or warrants  to purchase any shares  of
Common Stock or any securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable
for  shares of  Common Stock other  than the  issuance of Common  Stock upon the
exercise of outstanding options and  under the existing employee stock  purchase
plan  and the Company's issuance of options under existing employee stock option
plans. See "Shares Eligible For Future Sale."
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
    The Underwriters do not intend to  confirm sales to any accounts over  which
they exercise discretionary authority in excess of 5% of the number of shares of
Common Stock offered hereby.
 
    Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of  the Company. Consequently, the initial  public offering price for the Common
Stock offered hereby was determined  through negotiations among the Company  and
the  Representatives.  Among the  factors considered  in such  negotiations were
prevailing market  conditions, certain  financial  information of  the  Company,
market  valuations of other  companies that the  Company and the Representatives
believe to be comparable to the Company, estimates of the business potential  of
the  Company, the present  state of the Company's  development and other factors
deemed relevant.
 
    In addition  to the  3,000,000 shares  of Common  Stock to  be sold  by  the
Company  in this offering, concurrent with  this offering the Company intends to
sell to Sang-A in a private placement  a number of shares of Common Stock  equal
to  10% of  the aggregate  number of  shares sold  in this  offering and  in the
private placement at the initial public offering price (333,333 shares  assuming
a  purchase price of $12.00 per share);  provided however, that the total number
of shares to be purchased  by Sang-A will not  exceed $5,000,000 divided by  the
initial public offering price. Such sale will be effected pursuant to a separate
agreement  with  Sang-A  entered  into  in May  1995  and  not  pursuant  to the
Underwriting Agreement.
 
    An individual associated  with Bear,  Stearns & Co.  Inc. beneficially  owns
10,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The  validity of the  shares of Common  Stock offered hereby  will be passed
upon for the  Company by  Cooley Godward Castro  Huddleson &  Tatum, Palo  Alto,
California.  GC&H Investments, an  entity affiliated with  Cooley Godward Castro
Huddleson &  Tatum, beneficially  owns  22,000 shares  of the  Company's  Common
Stock.  Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Wilson
Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Palo Alto, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The financial statements of Aviron as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and  for
each  of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995 appearing in this
Prospectus and Registration Statement  have been audited by  Ernst & Young  LLP,
independent  auditors, as set  forth in their  report theron appearing elsewhere
herein and are included in reliance upon  such report given on the authority  of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    A Registration Statement on Form S-1, including amendments thereto, relating
to  the  Common Stock  offered hereby  has been  filed by  the Company  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. This Prospectus does not contain all of  the
information  set  forth  in  the Registration  Statement  and  the  exhibits and
schedules thereto. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of
any contract or other document referred  to are not necessarily complete and  in
each  instance reference is made to the  copy of such contract or other document
filed as an  exhibit to the  Registration Statement, each  such statement  being
qualified  in  all  respects by  such  reference. For  further  information with
respect to the Company and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to
such Registration Statement, exhibits and schedules. A copy of the  Registration
Statement  may  be  inspected  by  anyone  without  charge  at  the Commission's
principal office located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,  the
New  York Regional Office located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York,
New York 10048, and the Chicago  Regional Office located at Northwestern  Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511, and copies of all
or  any part  thereof may be  obtained from  the Public Reference  Branch of the
Commission upon the payment  of certain fees prescribed  by the Commission.  The
Commission  maintains a  World-Wide Web  site that  contains reports,  proxy and
information statements  and other  information regarding  registrants that  file
electronically  with the Commission. The address of the Commission's Web site is
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.........................   F-2
 
Audited Financial Statements
 
Balance Sheets............................................................   F-3
Statements of Operations..................................................   F-4
Statement of Stockholders' Equity.........................................   F-5
Statements of Cash Flows..................................................   F-7
Notes to Financial Statements.............................................   F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Board of Directors
Aviron
 
    We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Aviron as of December 31,
1994  and 1995, and the related  statements of operations, stockholders' equity,
and cash flows  for each of  the three years  in the period  ended December  31,
1995.  These  financial  statements  are  the  responsibility  of  the Company's
management. Our  responsibility is  to  express an  opinion on  these  financial
statements based on our audits.
 
    We  conducted  our audits  in  accordance with  generally  accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to  obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also  includes
assessing  the  accounting principles  used  and significant  estimates  made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement  presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In  our opinion, the financial statements  referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Aviron at December 31,  1994
and  1995, and the results of its operations  and its cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with  generally
accepted accounting principles.
 
                                             ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Palo Alto, California
January 26, 1996,
except as to the first paragraph of Note 1 and
Note 10, for which the date is May 30, 1996
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
 
                       (in thousands, except share data)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                            --------------------
                                                              1994       1995
                                                            ---------  ---------
                                                                                   MARCH 31,    UNAUDITED
                                                                                     1996       PRO FORMA
                                                                                  -----------  STOCKHOLDERS'
                                                                                                EQUITY AT
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)   MARCH 31,
                                                                                                  1996
                                                                                               -----------
                                                                                                (NOTE 10)
                                                  ASSETS
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...............................  $     952  $  11,532   $  10,000
  Short-term investments..................................      5,497      6,287       4,494
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets...............        105        679         873
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------
Total current assets......................................      6,554     18,498      15,367
Property and equipment, net...............................      1,216      1,275       1,816
Deposits and other assets.................................         19        105          92
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------
  Total assets............................................  $   7,789  $  19,878   $  17,275
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------
 
                                   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable........................................  $     101  $     312   $     703
  Accrued compensation....................................         68        130         149
  Accrued clinical trial costs............................         --        545         470
  Accrued expenses and other liabilities..................        201        108         319
  Deferred revenue........................................         --        208         437
  Current portion of capital lease obligations............        307        420         485
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------
Total current liabilities.................................        677      1,723       2,563
Capital lease obligations, noncurrent.....................        750        618         545
Commitments
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred Stock, no par value; 43,000,000 shares
   authorized, issuable in series; 21,666,667, 39,031,971
   and 39,168,297, convertible preferred shares issued and
   outstanding at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and March 31,
   1996 respectively, aggregate liquidation preference of
   $40,347,481 and $40,531,520 at December 31, 1995 and
   March 31, 1996, respectively (pro forma at March 31,
   1996 -- $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized,
   none issued and outstanding)...........................     17,406     39,844      40,028    $      --
  Common Stock, no par value; 53,000,000 shares
   authorized; 695,414, 758,306 and 1,040,822 shares
   issued and outstanding at December 31, 1994 and 1995,
   and March 31, 1996 respectively (pro forma at March 31,
   1996 -- $0.001 par value 30,000,000 shares authorized,
   8,874,456 shares issued and outstanding)...............         16        317       1,579            9
  Additional paid-in capital..............................         --         --          --       41,598
  Notes receivable from stockholders......................         --         --        (310)        (310)
  Deferred compensation...................................         --       (180)       (938)        (938)
  Accumulated deficit.....................................    (11,060)   (22,444)    (26,192)     (26,192)
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------
Total stockholders' equity................................      6,362     17,537      14,167       14,167
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
  Total liabilities and stockholders' equity..............  $   7,789  $  19,878   $  17,275    $  17,275
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
                                                            ---------  ---------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              MARCH 31,
                                                        ----------------------------------  ----------------------
                                                           1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues:
  License revenue.....................................  $       --  $       --  $    1,500  $       --  $       --
  Contract revenue....................................          --          --         207          --         188
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total revenues........................................          --          --       1,707          --         188
Operating expenses:
  Research and development............................       2,073       4,216      10,220       3,088       3,044
  General and administrative..........................       1,874       2,493       3,252         701       1,063
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total operating expenses..............................       3,947       6,709      13,472       3,789       4,107
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Loss from operations..................................      (3,947)     (6,709)    (11,765)     (3,789)     (3,919)
Other income (expense):
  Interest income.....................................         175         306         520          71         220
  Interest expense....................................          --         (99)       (158)        (39)        (37)
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Total other income, net...............................         175         207         362          32         183
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Net loss..............................................  $   (3,772) $   (6,502) $  (11,403) $   (3,757) $   (3,736)
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Pro forma net loss per share..........................                          $    (1.24)             $    (0.41)
                                                                                ----------              ----------
                                                                                ----------              ----------
Shares used in computing pro forma net loss per
 share................................................                           9,182,642               9,223,033
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
                       STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (in thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           PREFERRED STOCK           COMMON STOCK
                                        ----------------------  ----------------------      NOTES         DEFERRED
                                         SHARES      AMOUNT      SHARES      AMOUNT      RECEIVABLE     COMPENSATION
                                        ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -------------  ---------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>
Balances at December 31, 1992.........  5,000,000   $   2,471     648,000   $       3            --       $      --
  Issuance of Series B Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $0.90 per share
   for cash and conversion of notes
   payable in September 1993, net of
   issuance costs of $65..............  16,666,667     14,935          --          --            --              --
  Issuance of Common Stock at $0.25
   per share in April 1993 for certain
   technology and patent rights.......         --          --      35,000           9            --              --
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   per share for cash.................         --          --       2,550           1            --              --
  Net loss............................         --          --          --          --            --              --
                                        ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------        -----           -----
Balance at December 31, 1993..........  21,666,667     17,406     685,550          13            --              --
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   to $0.50 per share for cash........         --          --       9,864           3            --              --
  Net unrealized loss on available-
   for-sale investments...............         --          --          --          --            --              --
  Net loss............................         --          --          --          --            --              --
                                        ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------        -----           -----
Balance at December 31, 1994..........  21,666,667     17,406     695,414          16            --              --
  Issuance of Series B Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $1.20 per share
   in February 1995 for certain
   in-process technology..............  1,323,734       1,588          --          --            --              --
  Issuance of Series C Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $1.35 per share
   for cash in June through November
   1995, net of issuance costs of
   $807...............................  16,041,570     20,850          --          --            --              --
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   to $0.50 per share for cash........         --          --      62,892          31            --              --
  Deferred compensation related to the
   grant of certain stock options.....         --          --          --         270            --            (270)
  Amortization of deferred
   compensation.......................         --          --          --          --            --              90
  Change in net unrealized loss on
   available-for-sale investments.....         --          --          --          --            --              --
  Net loss............................         --          --          --          --            --              --
                                        ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------        -----           -----
Balance at December 31, 1995..........  39,031,971  $  39,844     758,306   $     317            --       $    (180)
  Issuance of Series C Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $1.35 per share
   for cash in March 1996
   (unaudited)........................    136,326         184          --          --            --              --
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   to $2.50 per share for cash
   (unaudited)........................         --          --     114,516         168            --              --
  Exercise of stock options at $0.50
   to $2.50 per share for notes
   receivable (unaudited).............         --          --     168,000         310          (310)             --
  Deferred compensation related to the
   grant of certain stock options
   (unaudited)........................         --          --          --         784            --            (784)
  Amortization of deferred
   compensation (unaudited)...........         --          --          --          --            --              26
  Change in net unrealized gain on
   available-for-sale Investments
   (unaudited)........................         --          --          --          --            --              --
  Net loss (unaudited)................         --          --          --          --            --              --
                                        ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------        -----           -----
Balance at March 31, 1996
 (unaudited)..........................  39,168,297  $  40,028   1,040,822   $   1,579     $    (310)      $    (938)
                                        ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------        -----           -----
                                        ---------  -----------  ---------  -----------        -----           -----
 
<CAPTION>
                                                           TOTAL
                                         ACCUMULATED   STOCKHOLDERS'
                                           DEFICIT        EQUITY
                                        -------------  -------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>
Balances at December 31, 1992.........    $    (753)     $   1,721
  Issuance of Series B Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $0.90 per share
   for cash and conversion of notes
   payable in September 1993, net of
   issuance costs of $65..............           --         14,935
  Issuance of Common Stock at $0.25
   per share in April 1993 for certain
   technology and patent rights.......           --              9
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   per share for cash.................           --              1
  Net loss............................       (3,772)        (3,772)
                                        -------------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1993..........       (4,525)        12,894
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   to $0.50 per share for cash........           --              3
  Net unrealized loss on available-
   for-sale investments...............          (33)           (33)
  Net loss............................       (6,502)        (6,502)
                                        -------------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1994..........      (11,060)         6,362
  Issuance of Series B Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $1.20 per share
   in February 1995 for certain
   in-process technology..............           --          1,588
  Issuance of Series C Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $1.35 per share
   for cash in June through November
   1995, net of issuance costs of
   $807...............................           --         20,850
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   to $0.50 per share for cash........           --             31
  Deferred compensation related to the
   grant of certain stock options.....           --             --
  Amortization of deferred
   compensation.......................           --             90
  Change in net unrealized loss on
   available-for-sale investments.....           19             19
  Net loss............................      (11,403)       (11,403)
                                        -------------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1995..........    $ (22,444)     $  17,537
  Issuance of Series C Convertible
   Preferred Stock at $1.35 per share
   for cash in March 1996
   (unaudited)........................           --            184
  Exercise of stock options at $0.25
   to $2.50 per share for cash
   (unaudited)........................           --            168
  Exercise of stock options at $0.50
   to $2.50 per share for notes
   receivable (unaudited).............           --             --
  Deferred compensation related to the
   grant of certain stock options
   (unaudited)........................           --             --
  Amortization of deferred
   compensation (unaudited)...........           --             26
  Change in net unrealized gain on
   available-for-sale Investments
   (unaudited)........................          (12)           (12)
  Net loss (unaudited)................       (3,736)        (3,736)
                                        -------------  -------------
Balance at March 31, 1996
 (unaudited)..........................    $ (26,192)     $  14,167
                                        -------------  -------------
                                        -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                                 (in thousands)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,           MARCH 31,
                                                             -------------------------------  --------------------
                                                               1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss...................................................  $  (3,772) $  (6,502) $ (11,403) $  (3,757) $  (3,736)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
 operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization............................        223        416        544        127        110
  Acquired technology and patent rights....................          9         --      1,588      1,588         --
  Amortization of deferred compensation....................         --         --         90         --         26
  Changes in assets and liabilities:
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets..............        (16)       (46)      (574)       (66)      (194)
    Deposits and other assets..............................         (1)        (4)       (86)        --         13
    Accounts payable.......................................        (34)       (39)       211         61        391
    Accrued expenses and other liabilities.................        168         96        514        (19)       155
    Deferred revenue.......................................         --         --        208         --        229
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash used in operating activities......................     (3,423)    (6,079)    (8,908)    (2,066)    (3,006)
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of short-term investments........................     (7,854)    (9,755)    (9,493)      (441)    (3,147)
Maturities of short-term investments.......................      1,815     11,579      8,722      4,257      4,928
Expenditures for property and equipment....................       (593)      (260)      (238)       (75)      (545)
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities........     (6,632)     1,564     (1,009)     3,741      1,236
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from capital lease line of credit.................         --        620         --         --         --
Principal payments on capital lease obligation.............         --       (212)      (384)       (85)      (114)
Proceeds from notes payable................................      1,500         --         --         --         --
Cash proceeds from issuance of:
  Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.....................     13,434         --         --         --         --
  Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.....................         --         --     20,850         --        184
  Common Stock.............................................          1          3         31          1        168
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash flows provided by financing activities................     14,935        411     20,497        (84)       238
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.......      4,880     (4,104)    10,580      1,591     (1,532)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............        176      5,056        952        952     11,532
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year...................  $   5,056  $     952  $  11,532  $   2,543  $  10,000
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of Common Stock and Preferred Stock for certain
 technology and patent rights..............................  $       9  $      --  $   1,588  $   1,588  $      --
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Conversion of notes payable to Series B Preferred Stock....  $   1,500  $      --  $      --  $      --  $      --
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Equipment acquired under line of credit....................  $      --  $     648  $     365  $     114  $     106
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Deferred compensation related to the grant of certain stock
 options...................................................  $      --  $      --  $     270  $      --  $     784
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                             ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
 
    Aviron  (the "Company") was incorporated in the State of California on April
15, 1992 and will be reincorporated in the State of Delaware in June, 1996.  The
Company  was  organized to  develop  and commercialize  cost-effective  forms of
disease prevention and treatment based on live virus vaccines. Prior to  October
1995, the Company was considered to be in the development stage.
 
    The  Company  anticipates  working  on  a  number  of  long-term development
projects which will involve experimental  and unproven technology. The  projects
may  require many years and substantial  expenditures to complete, and which may
ultimately  be  unsuccessful.  Therefore,  the  Company  will  need  to   obtain
additional  funds from outside sources to  continue its research and development
activities, fund  operating  expenses,  pursue regulatory  approvals  and  build
production,  sales and marketing capabilities, as necessary. Management believes
it has  sufficient  capital to  achieve  planned business  objectives  including
supporting preclinical development and clinical testing, through at least 1996.
 
INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
    The  financial information  at March  31, 1996,  for the  three months ended
March 31, 1995 and  1996 is unaudited but  includes all adjustments  (consisting
only  of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company considers necessary for
a fair presentation of the financial position at such date and of the  operating
results  and cash flows  for those periods.  Results of the  1996 period are not
necessarily indicative of results expected for the entire year.
 
USE OF ESTIMATES
 
    The preparation of  the financial  statements in  conformity with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions that affect  the amounts  reported in the  financial statements  and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
    The  Company  considers  all  highly  liquid  investments  with  an original
maturity of 90  days or less  to be cash  equivalents. Cash equivalents  include
$11,831,000  and $9,667,000 in money market funds at December 31, 1995 and March
31, 1996, respectively.
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
    The Company  adopted the  provisions of  Statement of  Financial  Accounting
Standards  No.  115,  "Accounting for  Certain  Investments in  Debt  and Equity
Securities" ("SFAS  No. 115")  for  investments held  as  of or  acquired  after
January 1, 1994.
 
    The Company's entire short-term investment portfolio is currently classified
as available-for-sale and is carried at fair value based on quoted market prices
with  the  unrealized gains  and losses  included  in stockholders'  equity. The
amortized cost of debt securities  classified as available-for-sale is  adjusted
for  amortization  of  premiums and  accretion  of discounts  to  maturity. Such
amortization is  included  in interest  income.  Realized gains  or  losses  and
declines  in  value  judged to  be  other-than-temporary are  included  in other
income. The cost  of securities  sold is  based on  the specific  identification
method. The Company has not experienced any significant realized gains or losses
on its investments.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property  and equipment  is stated  at cost.  Depreciation is  provided on a
straight-line basis over  the estimated  useful lives of  the respective  assets
which range from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a
straight-line  basis over the shorter  of their useful lives  or the term of the
lease.
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
    Collaborative  research  revenue  earned  is  based  on  research   expenses
incurred.  Amounts received in advance of  services to be performed are recorded
as deferred revenue until the related expenses are incurred. Milestone  payments
are recognized as revenue in the period earned.
 
STOCK COMPENSATION
 
    In  October 1995, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No. 123,  "Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation"  ("SFAS  No.  123").  The
Statement  is  effective  for Aviron  beginning  in  1996. Under  SFAS  No. 123,
stock-based compensation  expense  to employees  is  measured using  either  the
intrinsic-value  method as prescribed by  Accounting Principle Board Opinion No.
25 or the fair-value  method described in SFAS  No. 123. Companies choosing  the
intrinsic-value  method will be required to disclose but not actually record the
pro forma impact of the fair-value method on net income and earnings per  share.
The  Company plans to adopt  the SFAS No. 123  in 1996 using the intrinsic-value
method for stock awards to  employees. There will be  no effect of adopting  the
SFAS No. 123 on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
    During March 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
No.  121 (SFAS 121), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of,"  which requires the Company to review  for
impairment  of  long-lived  assets.  SFAS  121  will  become  effective  for the
Company's  year  ending  December  31,   1996.  The  Company  has  studied   the
implications  of SFAS 121 and, based on  its initial evaluation, does not expect
it to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results  of
operations.
 
NET LOSS PER SHARE
 
    Except  as noted below, historical net loss  per share is computed using the
weighted average number of common  shares outstanding. Common equivalent  shares
from  stock options, convertible preferred stock  and warrants are excluded from
the computation as their  effect is antidilutive, except  that, pursuant to  the
Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins, common and common
equivalent  shares issued  during the  period beginning  12 months  prior to the
initial filing of the proposed public offering at prices substantially below the
assumed public offering price have been  included in the calculation as if  they
were  outstanding for all periods presented (using the treasury stock method and
the assumed  public  offering price  for  stock  options and  warrants  and  the
if-converted method for convertible preferred stock).
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    Historical net loss per share information is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,              MARCH 31,
                                          ----------------------------------  ----------------------
                                             1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Net loss per share......................  $    (0.82) $    (1.41) $    (2.47) $    (0.81) $    (0.81)
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
Shares used in computing net loss per
 share..................................   4,600,440   4,614,907   4,624,721   4,624,078   4,624,953
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
    Pro  forma net loss per share has  been computed as described above and also
gives effect  to the  conversion of  convertible preferred  shares not  included
above  that will automatically convert upon  completion of the Company's initial
public offering  (using  the if-converted  method)  from the  original  date  of
issuance.
 
2.  LICENSE AGREEMENTS
 
ARCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
 
    On  July 1,  1992, the Company  entered into an  exclusive license agreement
with ARCH  Development Corporation  ("ARCH") to  acquire the  rights to  use  or
sublicense  certain technology and make, use  or sell certain licensed products.
The agreement calls for the Company to make certain payments to ARCH totaling as
much as $2.6 million as certain  milestones are met. No benchmark payments  were
made  or were  due through 1995.  If commercialization is  achieved, the Company
will be  required to  pay ARCH  royalties based  on net  sales of  the  licensed
products. Further, if the Company were to sublicense the technology, it would be
required  to  pay ARCH  royalties on  net  sales of  the sublicensee  and, under
certain circumstances, up to 50% of the license fee paid by the sublicensee.  In
conjunction  with  this license  agreement, the  Company  sold 40,000  shares of
Common Stock to ARCH at $0.005 per share in 1992. Subsequent to this  agreement,
affiliates  of  ARCH  purchased  700,000,  300,000  and  113,999  shares  of the
Company's Series A, B and C Preferred Stock, respectively.
 
THE MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
 
    In 1993, the Company entered into  a technology transfer agreement with  The
Mount  Sinai  School of  Medicine of  the  City University  of New  York ("Mount
Sinai") to acquire certain patent rights and technical information. Pursuant  to
the  agreement, the Company issued to Mount  Sinai 35,000 shares of Common Stock
which resulted in a  charge to research and  development expense of $8,750,  and
warrants  to purchase,  in the aggregate,  225,000 shares of  Series A Preferred
Stock.  The  warrants  become  exercisable  upon  the  occurrence  of   specific
milestones and expire five years from such date or on the day preceding the sale
of  the Company. Upon the closing of  an initial public offering by the Company,
warrants covering  148,750  shares  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock  will  become
exercisable  at a price per share of Common  Stock of 125% of the initial public
offering price of the Common Stock. The remaining warrants will be cancelled. At
December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, warrants covering 45,000 shares of  Series
A  Preferred  Stock are  exercisable at  $0.90  per share.  The Company  is also
required to reimburse  Mount Sinai  for costs  incurred in  connection with  the
maintenance and protection of certain patents.
 
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
 
    In February 1995, the Company signed a license agreement with the University
of  Michigan. The license agreement gives the Company a worldwide license to the
University of Michigan's inventions and discoveries
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
2.  LICENSE AGREEMENTS (CONTINUED)
related to a cold adapted influenza  vaccine, including the ability to  develop,
use,  sublicense, manufacture  and sell  products and  processes claimed  in the
patent rights.  Under  the  arrangement,  the Company  paid  the  University  of
Michigan  and expensed a  $100,000 fee and  issued 1,323,734 shares  of Series B
Preferred Stock which resulted in a  charge to research and development  expense
of  $1,588,481.  Upon  commercialization  of the  vaccine  product,  the license
agreement provides that the Company will pay royalties based on net revenues  as
well  as  issuing  warrants  to  purchase  1.25%  of  the  Company's  then total
outstanding Common Stock at  an exercise price  equal to 125%  of the per  share
price  of Common Stock in the Company's initial public offering of Common Stock.
The warrant  will be  exercisable for  five years  after its  issuance date.  In
conjunction  with the license agreement, the Company signed a research agreement
with  the  University  of   Michigan  which  obligates   the  Company  to   fund
approximately  $530,000 of specific research projects.  As of December 31, 1996,
the Company had funded $184,000 for  research under this agreement. The  Company
had also paid the University of Michigan $67,000 for other research services.
 
3.  DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
 
SMITHKLINE BEECHAM BIOLOGICALS S.A.
 
    In  October 1995,  the Company signed  an agreement  with SmithKline Beecham
Biologicals  S.A.  ("SmithKline  Beecham")   which  grants  SmithKline   Beecham
exclusive   worldwide  (excluding  Korea)  rights  to  produce  and  market  any
prophylactic and  therapeutic  Epstein-Barr  Virus ("EBV")  vaccines  under  the
Company's  patents. Under the  Agreement, SmithKline Beecham  paid the Company a
$1,500,000 nonrefundable  licensing  fee  and is  required  to  make  additional
benchmark  payments  as  certain  milestones  are  met.  Upon commercialization,
SmithKline Beecham  will  pay the  Company  a royalty  based  on net  sales  (by
country). In conjunction with the licensing rights, SmithKline Beecham will fund
the Company's development of the EBV vaccine for a minimum of two years based on
approved  budgeted amounts.  For the year  ended December 31,  1995, the Company
recognized $1,500,000 of  license revenue  and $125,000  of development  revenue
pursuant  to the agreement.  As of December  31, 1995, the  Company has recorded
$208,000 in deferred revenue relating to development that will be recognized  in
1996.
 
SANG-A PHARM. CO., LTD.
 
    In  May 1995, the Company signed  a development and licensing agreement with
Sang-A Pharm.  Co.,  Ltd.  ("Sang-A"),  a  Korean  pharmaceutical  company.  The
agreement  covers  a  wide  range  of vaccine  products  and  grants  Sang-A the
exclusive rights  and  licenses  to  such products  in  South  and  North  Korea
("Korea").  Under the terms  of the agreement, Sang-A  will conduct all clinical
development work necessary for approval in Korea at its expense, and is required
to make payments based on certain milestones and, upon commercialization of each
product, to pay royalties based on net revenues. The agreement also gives Sang-A
the first  right of  refusal to  supply  a percentage  of Aviron's  products  in
selected countries.
 
    In  connection  with this  agreement, Sang-A  purchased 2,941,863  shares of
Series C Preferred Stock for $3,971,515. Sang-A subsequently purchased 1,187,295
additional shares of  Series C Preferred  Stock for $1,602,848.  In the  future,
Sang-A  is  required to  purchase  10% of  any  offering of  new  securities (as
defined) of the Company, if  requested by the Company,  until the earlier of  36
months  following  Sang-A's initial  investment or  an initial  public offering.
During the three months ended March 31, 1996, Sang-A purchased 136,326 shares of
Series C Preferred Stock for $184,040.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
4.  SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
    At  December  31,  1994  and  1995,  the  Company's  short-term  investments
consisted  of the following debt securities, all  of which had maturities of one
year or less (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
                                       -------------------------------------------
                                                 GROSS        GROSS      ESTIMATED
                                               UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED     FAIR
                                        COST     GAINS        LOSSES       VALUE
                                       ------  ----------   ----------   ---------
<S>                                    <C>     <C>          <C>          <C>
As of December 31, 1994:
U.S. Treasury securities and
 obligations of U.S. government
 agencies............................  $2,261   $ --           $(22)      $2,239
U.S. corporate commercial paper......   2,983     --             (1)       2,982
U.S. corporate obligations...........     514     --             (1)         513
Foreign government securities........     520     --             (9)         511
                                       ------  ----------       ---      ---------
                                       $6,278   $ --           $(33)      $6,245
                                       ------  ----------       ---      ---------
                                       ------  ----------       ---      ---------
As of December 31, 1995:
U.S. Treasury securities and
 obligations of U.S. government
 agencies............................  $1,025   $     2        $ (4)      $1,023
U.S. corporate commercial paper......   3,705     --             --        3,705
U.S. corporate obligations...........   1,571     --            (12)       1,559
                                       ------  ----------       ---      ---------
                                       $6,301   $     2        $(16)      $6,287
                                       ------  ----------       ---      ---------
                                       ------  ----------       ---      ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Included in  the above  table as  of December  31, 1994  are corporate  debt
obligations  with a fair value of $748  which are classified as cash equivalents
in the accompanying balance sheet.
 
5.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
    Property and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             DECEMBER 31,       MARCH 31,
                                                           1994       1995        1996
                                                         ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>        <C>
Laboratory equipment...................................  $   1,220  $   1,512   $   1,601
Computer equipment.....................................        199        323         370
Office equipment.......................................         68         90         100
Leasehold improvements.................................        336         62         567
                                                         ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                             1,823      1,987       2,638
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.........       (607)      (712)       (822)
                                                         ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                         $   1,216  $   1,275   $   1,816
                                                         ---------  ---------  -----------
                                                         ---------  ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
6.  LEASE ARRANGEMENTS
    In April 1994, the Company entered into a $2,500,000 equipment and leasehold
improvement lease line of credit that bears interest based on an average of  the
three-year  and five-year indices  of U.S. Treasury  bonds. Outstanding balances
under the line are  secured by the related  equipment purchased. The lease  line
was  extended and expires December 31, 1996.  At March 31, 1996, $761,000 of the
line was available. In connection  with this financing arrangement, the  Company
issued  warrants to purchase 116,667 shares  of the Company's Series B Preferred
Stock. These warrants are  exercisable at an exercise  price of $0.90 per  share
and will expire at the earlier of March 2000 or upon the initial public offering
of  the Company's  Common Stock. As  consideration for  extending the expiration
date of the lease line, the Company  issued warrants in 1995 to purchase  77,778
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
6.  LEASE ARRANGEMENTS (CONTINUED)
shares of the Company's Series B Preferred Stock. These warrants are exercisable
at  an exercise price of $0.90  per share and will expire  at the earlier of May
2001 or upon the initial  public offering of the  Company's Common Stock. As  of
March 31, 1996, none of the warrants had been exercised.
 
    Included  in property and equipment at December  31, 1995 and March 31, 1996
are  assets  with  a  cost  of  $1,826,125  and  $2,032,532,  respectively,  and
accumulated amortization of $688,594 and $786,784, respectively, which have been
financed pursuant to the lease line of credit.
 
    The  Company has  entered into an  operating lease agreement  for office and
research facilities which expires  in 2005 and includes  an option allowing  the
Company  to extend the  lease for two additional  five-year terms. The agreement
requires  the  Company  to  pay  operating  costs,  including  property   taxes,
utilities,  insurance and maintenance. Rent expense for the years ended December
31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 was $130,400, $167,568 and $412,869, respectively.
 
    At  December  31,  1995,  the  Company's  aggregate  commitment  under  such
arrangements are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         CAPITAL LEASE   OPERATING
                                                          OBLIGATIONS      LEASE
                                                         -------------  -----------
<S>                                                      <C>            <C>
Years ending December 31,
  1996.................................................    $     528     $     747
  1997.................................................          424           866
  1998.................................................          226           919
  1999.................................................           49           924
  2000.................................................       --               950
  Thereafter...........................................       --             4,910
                                                              ------    -----------
                                                               1,227     $   9,316
                                                                        -----------
                                                                        -----------
Less amounts representing interest.....................         (189)
                                                              ------
                                                               1,038
Less current portion...................................         (420)
                                                              ------
                                                           $     618
                                                              ------
                                                              ------
</TABLE>
 
7.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
    COMMON STOCK
 
    During June and July 1992, 648,000 shares of Common Stock were issued to the
Company's  founders,  consultants and  a licensor  of  technology at  $0.005 per
share. These shares  are subject  to certain transfer  restrictions. Certain  of
these  shares,  until vested,  are  subject to  repurchase  at $0.005  per share
(adjusted to reflect  any stock  splits or  stock dividends)  on termination  of
employment.  In addition,  certain shares of  Common Stock issued  to members of
management in 1995 and  1996 through exercises of  stock options are subject  to
repurchase  by the Company at $0.50-$2.50 per  share. The above shares vest over
periods specified by the Board of Directors. At December 31, 1995 and March  31,
1996,  101,700  and 268,480  shares  remain subject  to  the Company's  right of
repurchase, respectively.
 
    PREFERRED STOCK
 
    Preferred Stock  is issuable  in series.  Series A,  Series B  and Series  C
Preferred  Stock are convertible into 0.20 share  of Common Stock of the Company
at  the  option  of   the  holder,  and  carry   voting  rights  equivalent   to
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
7.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
Common  Stock on a  share-for-share basis. The conversion  rate of the Preferred
Stock is subject to adjustment in the event of, among other things, stock splits
and stock dividends. Each share  of Preferred Stock automatically converts  into
0.20  shares of Common Stock  in the event of an  initial public offering of the
Company's Common Stock  in which  the gross  offering proceeds  equal or  exceed
$10.0  million or upon approval of the conversion by a majority of the preferred
stockholders voting  together as  a single  class. The  Series A,  Series B  and
Series  C preferred stockholders are entitled  to noncumulative dividends at the
rate of $0.05, $0.09 and $0.135 per share, respectively, when and if declared by
the board of directors. None have been declared.
 
    The Series  A, Series  B  and Series  C Preferred  Stock  are subject  to  a
liquidation  preference of $0.50, $0.90 and  $1.35 per share, respectively, plus
all declared but unpaid dividends.
 
    The Preferred Stock authorized, issued and outstanding at December 31,  1995
is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            SHARES      SHARES ISSUED    LIQUIDATION
                                                          AUTHORIZED   AND OUTSTANDING   PREFERENCE
                                                         ------------  ---------------  -------------
<S>                                                      <C>           <C>              <C>
Series A...............................................     5,225,000       5,000,000   $   2,500,000
Series B...............................................    18,650,000      17,990,401      16,191,361
Series C...............................................    18,000,000      16,041,570      21,656,120
Undesignated...........................................     1,125,000        --              --
                                                         ------------  ---------------  -------------
                                                           43,000,000      39,031,971   $  40,347,481
                                                         ------------  ---------------  -------------
                                                         ------------  ---------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    In  November 1995,  in conjunction  with the  private placement  of Series C
Preferred Stock, the Company issued to the placement agent warrants to  purchase
352,536 shares of the Company's Series C Preferred Stock. These warrants have an
exercise  price of $1.62 per share and will expire in November 2000. As of March
31, 1996, none of the warrants had been exercised.
 
    A total of 771,981 shares of Preferred Stock have been reserved for issuance
upon exercise of  outstanding warrants  as of December  31, 1995  and March  31,
1996.
 
    In  addition,  8,600,000  shares  of Common  Stock  have  been  reserved for
issuance upon the conversion of convertible Preferred Stock.
 
    STOCK OPTIONS
 
    On September 15, 1992, the board of directors adopted the 1992 Stock  Option
Plan  (the "1992 Plan"). The Company initially reserved 272,000 shares of Common
Stock for issuance under the 1992 Plan which was increased by 200,000 shares  in
1993 and 300,000 shares in 1994.
 
    The  1992 Plan provides for both incentive and nonqualified stock options to
be granted to employees, directors and consultants. The 1992 Plan provides  that
incentive  stock options will be  granted at no less than  the fair value of the
Company's Common Stock  (no less  than 85% of  the fair  value for  nonqualified
stock  options), as  determined by  the board  of directors  at the  date of the
grant. If, at the time the Company grants an option, the optionee owns more than
10% of  the total  combined voting  power of  all the  classes of  stock of  the
Company,  the option  price shall  be at least  110% of  the fair  value and the
option shall not be exercised more than five years after the date of grant.  The
options  vest and  become exercisable  over periods  determined by  the board of
directors. Except as noted above, options expire no more than 10 years after the
date of grant, or earlier if employment terminates.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
7.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
    Option activity under the Plan is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
                                                                              --------------------------
                                                                    SHARES                   EXERCISE
                                                                   AVAILABLE   NUMBER OF     PRICE PER
                                                                   FOR GRANT    SHARES         SHARE
                                                                   ---------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                                                <C>        <C>          <C>
Balance at December 31, 1992.....................................    157,100     114,900    $      0.25
  Options authorized.............................................    200,000      --            --
  Options granted................................................   (235,117)    235,117    $0.25-$0.50
  Options exercised..............................................     --          (2,550)   $      0.25
  Options canceled...............................................      9,550      (9,550)   $      0.25
                                                                   ---------  -----------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1993.....................................    131,533     337,917    $0.25-$0.50
  Options authorized.............................................    300,000      --            --
  Options granted................................................    (71,230)     71,230    $      0.50
  Options exercised..............................................     --          (9,864)   $0.25-$0.50
  Options canceled...............................................     29,996     (29,996)   $0.25-$0.50
                                                                   ---------  -----------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1994.....................................    390,299     369,287    $0.25-$0.50
  Options granted................................................   (269,000)    269,000    $0.50-$1.25
  Options exercised..............................................     --         (62,892)   $0.50-$1.25
  Options canceled...............................................      2,357      (2,357)   $0.25-$0.50
                                                                   ---------  -----------  -------------
Balance at December 31, 1995.....................................    123,656     573,038    $0.25-$1.25
  Options granted (unaudited)....................................    (96,625)     96,625    $      2.50
  Options exercised (unaudited)..................................     --         (64,516)   $0.25-$0.50
  Options canceled (unaudited)...................................        735        (735)   $0.25-$2.50
                                                                   ---------  -----------  -------------
Balance at March 31, 1996 (unaudited)............................     27,766     604,412    $0.25-$2.50
                                                                   ---------  -----------  -------------
                                                                   ---------  -----------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
    In addition, during 1995  fully-vested non-qualified stock options  covering
40,000  shares  were issued  outside  of the  1992  Plan at  exercise  prices of
$0.50-$1.25 per share. During January 1996, 208,000 non-qualified stock  options
were  issued outside the 1992 Plan at  exercise prices of $1.75-$2.50 per share.
Of the  stock options  issued outside  of the  1992 Plan,  218,000 options  were
exercised  at exercise prices of $0.50-$2.50 per share during the quarter ending
March 31, 1996.
 
    During the  three months  ended  March 31,  1996,  officers of  the  Company
exercised  options for 168,000  shares by signing  promissory notes amounting to
$310,000 which bear interest at 5.73%.
 
    As of December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, options to purchase 347,893  and
291,491 shares of Common Stock were exercisable.
 
    For  certain options granted during 1995 and 1996, the Company recognized as
deferred compensation the  excess of  the deemed value  for financial  reporting
purposes of the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of such options over the
aggregate  exercise  price  of  such  options.  Total  deferred  compensation of
$270,000 recorded through December 31, 1995 is being amortized over the  vesting
period  of  such options.  A portion  of these  options vested  immediately upon
grant. In January 1996, the Company  granted an additional 304,625 options  with
exercise  prices of $1.75 to $2.50 and recorded related deferred compensation of
approximately $784,000. In May 1996, the Company granted 102,950 options with an
exercise  price  of  $2.50  and   recorded  related  deferred  compensation   of
approximately $463,000.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
7.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)
    In  March 1996, the Company  amended and restated the  1992 Plan as the 1996
Equity Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan").  Total shares of Common Stock  reserved
for  future issuance under the  1996 Plan were increased  to 1,750,000. The 1996
Plan provides  for the  grant of  incentive and  nonstatutory stock  options  to
employees and consultants of the Company.
 
    In  March 1996, the  Company adopted the  1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan (the "Directors' Plan") under  which 200,000 shares of Common  Stock
are reserved for issuance pursuant to nonstatutory stock options.
 
    In  March 1996,  the Company also  adopted the Employee  Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Purchase Plan"). A  total of 250,000 shares  of Common Stock are  reserved
for  issuance  under  the  Purchase Plan.  The  Purchase  Plan  permits eligible
employees to purchase Common Stock through  payroll deductions at a price  equal
to  the lower of 85% of  the fair market value of  the Company's Common Stock at
the beginning or end of the applicable offering period.
 
8.  INCOME TAXES
    As of  December 31,  1995, the  Company  had a  federal net  operating  loss
carryforward  of approximately $20,000,000. The  net operating loss carryforward
will expire at various dates beginning from 2007 through 2010, if not  utilized.
Utilization  of  the  net operating  losses  and  credits may  be  subject  to a
substantial annual limitation due  to the "ownership  change" provisions of  the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
 
    Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                           -------------------------------
                                                                             1993       1994       1995
                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   (in thousands)
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net operating loss carryforward..........................................  $   1,500  $   3,800  $   7,100
Capitalized research expenses............................................     --            200      1,060
Research tax credits (expires from 2007-2010)............................        100        300        550
Other....................................................................        200        100        140
                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
Net deferred tax assets..................................................      1,800      4,400      8,850
Valuation allowance......................................................     (1,800)    (4,400)    (8,850)
                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                           $  --      $  --      $  --
                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Because  of the  Company's lack  of earnings  history, the  net deferred tax
asset has been fully  offset by a valuation  allowance. The valuation  allowance
increased by approximately $1,500,000 in 1993.
 
9.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
    In  1995, the  Company made unsecured  loans to  officers totalling $100,000
which bear interest at 7.75% and are due in April 2000.
 
    An officer  of  the Company  is  a  shareholder in  an  investment  advisory
business  which was paid  a commission by the  Company of approximately $334,000
during 1995 related to the Sang-A transaction (see Note 3). The officer received
no direct compensation from the transaction.
 
10. PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING AND RELATED MATTERS
    On May 30, 1996, the board of directors authorized management of the Company
to file a  Registration Statement  with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
offering  shares  of  its  Common  Stock  to  the  public.  If  the  offering is
consummated under the terms  presently anticipated, all  of the Preferred  Stock
outstanding will
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                                     AVIRON
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                               DECEMBER 31, 1995
 (INFORMATION FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 AND 1996 IS UNAUDITED)
 
10. PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING AND RELATED MATTERS (CONTINUED)
automatically  convert into 7,833,634 shares of Common Stock upon the closing of
the offering. Unaudited pro forma stockholders'  equity as of December 31,  1995
as  adjusted for the assumed  conversion of the Preferred  Stock is set forth on
the accompanying balance sheet.
 
    In May  1996,  the  Company  filed restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  in
California  to  effect a  one-for-five reverse  stock  split of  all outstanding
shares of Common Stock, Common Stock options and warrants. The conversion  ratio
of all outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock were adjusted such that
each  preferred share converts into .20 shares of common stock. All common share
and per share data  in the accompanying financial  statements has been  adjusted
retroactively to give effect to the reverse stock split. In conjunction with the
registration,  the board of directors also authorized the reincorporation of the
Company in Delaware.
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
    On July 1, 1996, Chiron Corporation ("Chiron") filed a complaint against the
Company in San Mateo County,  California, Superior Court, alleging that  certain
of  Aviron's patent applications relating to its EBV program are based on Chiron
proprietary information  which was  improperly conveyed  to Aviron  by a  former
Chiron  employee, and  that the Company  has engaged in  unfair competition. The
complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and seeks to impose a  constructive
trust, for Chiron's benefit, over the affected patent applications, an exclusive
assignment  by  the  Company  to  Chiron  of  such  patent  applications  and an
injunction against the Company from  disclosing, using or applying such  alleged
proprietary  information.  Aviron believes  that the  allegations in  the Chiron
complaint are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against such
action. Aviron does not  utilize the alleged  Chiron proprietary information  in
any  of its potential products currently  under development. Even if Chiron were
to prevail in  this action, the  Company believes  that it is  uncertain that  a
court  would grant a constructive trust  over the specified patent applications,
which include  many claims  (including certain  rights the  Company licensed  to
SmithKline  Beecham) not relating to  the alleged Chiron proprietary technology.
Were a court  to grant a  constructive trust over  such patent applications,  it
could  adversely impact the  Company's agreement with  SmithKline Beecham. There
can be no assurance that  Chiron will not ultimately  prevail in this action  or
that  it will not  obtain the remedies  it is seeking.  In addition, the Company
expects that the legal  costs incurred in defending  itself against this  action
could be substantial.
 
    In  July 1996, the Company licensed certain of its patent rights covering or
relating to the use of HSV-2 for  treatment of cancer and for gene therapy,  but
excluding  use of vaccines, to a  private Canadian corporation. In exchange, the
Company received shares  of capital stock  and a warrant  to purchase shares  of
capital   stock,  representing  in  the   aggregate  approximately  27%  of  the
outstanding equity securities of such company on a fully-diluted basis after the
first round of financing. Prior to the execution of this agreement, the Canadian
company had no  employees and had  conducted no material  operations. Aviron  is
under no obligation to fund development of this technology.
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
    The  following table  sets forth all  expenses, other  than the underwriting
discounts and commissions, payable by the Registrant in connection with the sale
of the Common Stock being registered.  All the amounts are estimates except  for
the registration fee and the NASD filing fee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
Registration fee..........................................  $  15,466
NASD filing fee...........................................      4,985
Blue sky qualification fees and expenses..................      5,000
Printing and engraving expenses...........................    125,000
Legal fees and expenses...................................    300,000
Accounting fees and expenses..............................    130,000
Transfer agent and registrar fees.........................     10,000
Miscellaneous.............................................      9,549
                                                            ---------
    Total.................................................  $ 600,000
                                                            ---------
                                                            ---------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 14.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
    Under  Section 145 of  the Delaware General  Corporation Law, the Registrant
has broad powers  to indemnify  its directors and  officers against  liabilities
they  may incur in  such capacities, including  liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933,  as amended (the  "Securities Act"). The  Registrant's Bylaws  also
provide  that the Registrant will indemnify its directors and executive officers
and may indemnify its other officers, employees and agents to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware law.
 
    The Registrant's Certificate of  Incorporation provides for the  elimination
of liability for monetary damages for breach of the directors' fiduciary duty of
care  to the Registrant and its  stockholders. These provisions do not eliminate
the directors'  duty  of  care  and,  in  appropriate  circumstances,  equitable
remedies  such an injunctive  or other forms of  non-monetary relief will remain
available under Delaware  law. In addition,  each director will  continue to  be
subject  to  liability for  breach  of the  director's  duty of  loyalty  to the
Registrant, for acts  or omissions not  in good faith  or involving  intentional
misconduct,  for knowing violations  of law, for any  transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit,  and for payment of dividends  or
approval  of stock repurchases  or redemptions that  are unlawful under Delaware
law. The provision does not affect a director's responsibilities under any other
laws, such as  the federal  securities laws  or state  or federal  environmental
laws.
 
    The  Underwriting  Agreement  filed  as  Exhibit  1.1  to  this Registration
Statement, will  provide  for  indemnification by  the  Underwriters  and  their
controlling  persons, on the one hand, and of the Registrant and its controlling
persons on the other hand, for certain liabilities arising under the  Securities
Act or otherwise.
 
ITEM 15.  RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.
 
    Since   inception,  the  Registrant  has   sold  and  issued  the  following
unregistered securities (adjusted  to give  effect to  the one-for-five  reverse
stock split):
 
        (1)  From April  1992 through June  1, 1996, the  Registrant has granted
    stock options to purchase 889,822 shares of the Company's Common Stock at  a
    weighted average exercise price of $1.02 per share to employees, consultants
    and  directors pursuant  to its 1996  Equity Incentive  Plan, or predecessor
    plans (the "Plans").  Of these  options, 58,318 have  been canceled  without
    being exercised, 218,024 have been exercised and 613,480 remain outstanding.
    In  January 1996,  248,000 options were  issued outside the  Plan to certain
    senior executives and founders  of the Company,  at exercise prices  ranging
    from  $0.50  to  $2.50  per  share.  Of  these  options,  218,000  have been
    exercised, and 30,000 remain outstanding.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
        (2) In April 1992, the Company  sold and issued an aggregate of  608,000
    shares of Common Stock at $0.005 per share for an aggregate consideration of
    approximately $3,040, paid in cash, to six purchasers.
 
        (3)  In June  and July 1992,  the Registrant issued  5,000,000 shares of
    Series A  Preferred  Stock to  14  purchasers at  $0.50  per share,  for  an
    aggregate  purchase price of $2,500,000. Shares  of Series A Preferred Stock
    are convertible into  shares of Common  Stock at  the rate of  one share  of
    Common Stock for each five shares of Series A Preferred Stock owned.
 
        (4)  In February  1993, the  Company issued  warrants to  purchase up to
    225,000 shares of  Series A  Preferred Stock to  The Mount  Sinai School  of
    Medicine  of the City  University of New York  ("Mount Sinai") in connection
    with the  transfer by  Mount  Sinai to  the  Company of  certain  technology
    rights. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the
    warrants  are convertible  into shares  of Common Stock  at the  rate of one
    share of  Common Stock  for each  five shares  of Series  A Preferred  Stock
    owned.
 
        (5) In September 1993, the Registrant issued 16,666,667 shares of Series
    B  Preferred Stock to  34 purchasers (including  two purchasers who received
    1,666,666 shares upon conversion of promissory notes aggregating $1,500,000)
    at $0.90 per share, for an  aggregate purchase price of $15,000,000.  Shares
    of  Series B Preferred Stock are convertible  into shares of Common Stock at
    the rate of  one share  of Common  Stock for each  five shares  of Series  B
    Preferred Stock owned.
 
        (6)  In  September  1993,  the Registrant  issued  warrants  to purchase
    400,000 shares of  its Series  B Preferred Stock,  at an  exercise price  of
    $1.25  per share,  to entitles affiliated  with IVP.  These warrants expired
    unexercised in June 1995.
 
        (7) In February 1995,  the Registrant entered  into a license  agreement
    with the University of Michigan under which, in return for certain rights to
    the  University of Michigan's  inventions and discoveries  related to a cold
    adapted influenza vaccine,  the Registrant  issued 1,323,734  shares of  the
    Registrant's  Series B  Preferred Shares, plus  a warrant to  purchase up to
    1.25% of the Registrant's outstanding Common Stock under certain conditions.
    Shares of Series  B Preferred Stock  are convertible into  shares of  Common
    Stock  at the  rate of  one share of  Common Stock  for each  five shares of
    Series B Preferred Stock owned.
 
        (8) In  April 1994  and  May 1995,  the  Registrant issued  warrants  to
    purchase  an aggregate of 194,445  shares of Series B  Preferred Stock at an
    exercise price of $0.90 per share to Lease Management Services, Inc.
 
        (9) In May 1995,  the Registrant entered into  a license agreement  with
    Sang-A Pharm Co., Ltd., ("Sang-A") under which, in return for certain rights
    to certain of the Registrant's products in Korea, Sang-A purchased 2,941,863
    of  the Registrant's Series  C Preferred Stock for  $3,971,575, or $1.35 per
    share and committed  to purchase  a number  of shares  equal to  10% of  the
    number of shares issued in future equity financings, up to and including the
    Company's  initial public offering.  Shares of Series  C Preferred Stock are
    convertible into shares of Common Stock at  the rate of one share of  Common
    Stock for each five shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned.
 
        (10)  From July through November  1995, the Registrant issued 13,099,707
    shares of Series C Preferred Stock to  66 purchasers at a purchase price  of
    $1.35  per share  (including 1,187,295 shares  to Sang-A),  for an aggregate
    purchase price  of  $17,684,604. Shares  of  Series C  Preferred  Stock  are
    convertible  into shares of Common Stock at  the rate of one share of Common
    Stock for each five shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned.
 
        (11) In  November 1995,  the  Registrant issued  a warrant  to  purchase
    352,536  shares of the Series  C Preferred Stock of  the Company to Raymond,
    James &  Associates,  Inc.,  for  an  exercise  price  of  $1.62  per  share
    (convertible  into 70,507 shares of Common  Stock) issuable upon exercise of
    the warrant. Shares of Series C Preferred Stock are convertible into  shares
    of  Common Stock  at the  rate of one  share of  Common Stock  for each five
    shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned.
 
        (12) In March  1996, the Registrant  issued 136,315 shares  of Series  C
    Preferred  Stock  to Sang-A  Pharm  Co., Ltd.  at  $1.35 per  share,  for an
    aggregate purchase price of $184,025. Shares of Series C Preferred Stock are
    convertible into shares of Common Stock at  the rate of one share of  Common
    Stock for each five shares of Series C Preferred Stock owned.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
        (13) Concurrent with this offering the Company intends to sell to Sang-A
    in  a private placement a  number of shares of Common  Stock equal to 10% of
    the aggregate number  of shares  sold in this  offering and  in the  private
    placement  at the  initial public offering  price pursuant  to the agreement
    with Sang-A entered  into in May  1995 (333,333 shares  assuming a  purchase
    price  of $12.00  per share);  provided, however,  that the  total number of
    shares to be purchased by Sang-A  will not exceed $5,000,000 divided by  the
    initial public offering price.
 
    The  sales and issuances of securities described in paragraph (1) above were
deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Rule
701 of the Securities  Act. The sales and  issuances of securities described  in
paragraphs  (2) through  (9) above  were deemed  to be  exempt from registration
under the Securities Act by virtue of Rule 4(2) of the Securities Act. The  sale
and  issuance of securities described in paragraph  (10) above were deemed to be
exempt from registration under the Securities  Act by virtue of Rule 3(a)(9)  of
the Securities Act.
 
    Appropriate  legends are  affixed to  the stock  certificates issued  in the
aforementioned transactions. Similar legends were imposed in connection with any
subsequent sales of any such securities. All recipients either received adequate
information about  the Registrant  or had  access, through  employment or  other
relationships, to such information.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
    (a)    The  following  is  a  list of  exhibits  filed  as  a  part  of this
Registration Statement:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT
   NUMBER                        DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------  ------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
       1.1     Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1)
       3.1     Amended  and  Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  of  the
                Registrant, as amended.(1)
       3.2     Amendment   to   the  Amended   and  Restated   Articles  of
                Incorporation of the Registrant.(1)
       3.3     Bylaws of the Registrant.(1)
       3.4     Form of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant to be
                effective upon reincorporation in Delaware.(1)
       3.5     Form of  Bylaws  of  the Registrant  to  be  effective  upon
                reincorporation in Delaware.(1)
       3.6     Form   of  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of  the
                Registrant,  to   be  filed   after  completion   of   this
                offering.(1)
       4.1     Reference  is made to Exhibits 3.1,  3.2, 3.3, 3.4., 3.5 and
                3.6.
       4.2     Specimen Stock Certificate.(1)
       4.3     Warrant for Series  A Preferred Stock,  issued to The  Mount
                Sinai School of Medicine of the City of New York.(1)
       4.4     Warrant  for Series A  Preferred Stock, issued  to The Mount
                Sinai School of Medicine of the City of New York.(1)
       4.5     Warrant for Series  A Preferred Stock,  issued to The  Mount
                Sinai School of Medicine of the City of New York.(1)
       4.6     Warrant  for Series A  Preferred Stock, issued  to The Mount
                Sinai School of Medicine of the City of New York.(1)
       4.7     Warrant for  Series C  Preferred Stock,  issued to  Raymond,
                James & Associates.(1)
       4.8     Investors  Rights Agreement, dated July  18, 1995, among the
                Registrant and the investors named therein.(1)
       5.1     Opinion of Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum.(1)
     +10.1     License  Agreement   between   the   Registrant   and   ARCH
                Development Corporation, dated July 1, 1992.
     +10.2     Technology Transfer Agreement between the Registrant and The
                Mount  Sinai School of  Medicine of the  City University of
                New York, dated February 9, 1993.(1)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   EXHIBIT
   NUMBER                        DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------------  ------------------------------------------------------------
<C>            <S>
     +10.3     Materials  Transfer  and  Intellectual  Property   Agreement
                between the Registrant and the Regents of the University of
                Michigan, dated February 24, 1995.(1)
      10.4     Stock  Transfer  Agreement  between the  Registrant  and the
                Regents of the University  of Michigan, dated February  24,
                1995.(1)
     +10.5     Development and License Agreement between the Registrant and
                Sang-A Pharm. Co., Ltd., dated May 3, 1995.(1)
     +10.6     Cooperative  Research and Development  Agreement between the
                Registrant and the National Institutes of Health, dated May
                30, 1995.(1)
     +10.7     Heads of  Agreement between  the Registrant  and  SmithKline
                Beecham Biologicals S.A., dated October 8, 1995.(1)
     +10.8     Manufacturing   and   Development   Agreement   between  the
                Registrant and  Evans Medical  Limited, dated  November  7,
                1995.
      10.9     1996 Equity Incentive Plan.(1)
      10.10    1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.(1)
      10.11    1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(1)
      10.12    Industrial  Lease  between  the  Registrant  and  the  Vanni
                Business  Park  General   Partnership,  dated  August   29,
                1995.(1)
     +10.13    First  Amendment to License Agreement between the Registrant
                and ARCH Development Corporation, dated March 15, 1996.(1)
     +10.14    Biological   Materials   License   Agreement   between   the
                Registrant and the National Institutes of Health, dated May
                31, 1996.(1)
      11.1     Statement  regarding Computation  of Pro Forma  Net Loss Per
                Share.(1)
      23.1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
      24.2     Consent  of  Cooley  Godward   Castro  Huddleson  &   Tatum.
                Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.
      25.1     Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-5.(1)
      27.1     Financial Data Schedules.(1)
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------
 +  Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit.
(1) Previously filed.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
    The  Registrant hereby undertakes to provide the Underwriters at the closing
specified in the Underwriting Agreement  certificates in such denominations  and
registered  in  such names  as  required by  the  Underwriters to  permit prompt
delivery to each purchaser.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities  Act
may  be  permitted  to  directors,  officers,  and  controlling  persons  of the
Registrant pursuant to  the provisions described  in Item 14  or otherwise,  the
Registrant  has been advised that in the  opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification  is against  public policy as  expressed in  the
Securities  Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In  the event that a claim for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
Registrant  of expenses incurred or paid  by a director, officer, or controlling
person of  the Registrant  in the  successful defense  of any  action, suit,  or
proceeding)  is asserted  by such  director, officer,  or controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless  in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to  a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether such
indemnification by it is  against public policy as  expressed in the  Securities
Act and will governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
    The  undersigned Registrant undertakes that: (1) for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of
prospectus filed as  part of the  registration statement in  reliance upon  Rule
430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
Rule  424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the  Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective, and
(2) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,  each
post-effective  amendment that contains a form  of prospectus shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,  and
the  offering of such securities at that time  shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    In  accordance  with the  requirements of  the Securities  Act of  1933, the
Registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf  by the undersigned, in the City of  Moutain
View, County of Santa Clara, State of California, on the 19th day of July, 1996.
    
 
                                          AVIRON
 
                                          By:    /s/ J. LEIGHTON READ
                                             -----------------------------------
                                               J. Leighton Read, M.D.
                                               CHAIRMAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                               AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                               (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
 
   
    IN  ACCORDANCE WITH  THE REQUIREMENTS  OF THE  SECURITIES ACT  OF 1933, THIS
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT WAS SIGNED BELOW BY THE  FOLLOWING
PERSON IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES STATED.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>                                               <S>                             <C>
                   SIGNATURE                                  TITLE                    DATE
- ------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------  --------------
                                                  Chairman, Chief Executive
                                                  Officer and Chief Financial
              /s/ J. LEIGHTON READ                Officer
     --------------------------------------       (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER    July 19, 1996
             J. Leighton Read, M.D.               AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND
                                                  ACCOUNTING OFFICER)
 
                       *
     --------------------------------------       Director                        July 19, 1996
                 Reid W. Dennis
 
                       *
     --------------------------------------       Director                        July 19, 1996
              Paul H. Klingenstein
 
                       *
     --------------------------------------       Director                        July 19, 1996
             Bernard Roizman, Sc.D.
 
                       *
     --------------------------------------       Director                        July 19, 1996
             L. James Strand, M.D.
 
                       *
     --------------------------------------       Director                        July 19, 1996
              Jane E. Shaw, Ph.D.
 
              /s/ J. LEIGHTON READ
     --------------------------------------
             *  (Attorney-in-fact)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        SEQUENTIAL
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                   PAGE
 NUMBER                                      DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                      NUMBER
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
<C>        <S>                                                                                          <C>
     1.1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.(1)
     3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended.(1)
     3.2   Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.(1)
     3.3   Bylaws of the Registrant.(1)
     3.4   Form of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant to be effective upon reincorporation
            in Delaware.(1)
     3.5   Form of Bylaws of the Registrant to be effective upon reincorporation in Delaware.(1)
     3.6   Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, to be filed after
            completion of this offering.(1)
     4.1   Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4., 3.5 and 3.6.
     4.2   Specimen Stock Certificate.(1)
     4.3   Warrant for Series A Preferred Stock, issued to The Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the
            City of New York.(1)
     4.4   Warrant for Series A Preferred Stock, issued to The Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the
            City of New York.(1)
     4.5   Warrant for Series A Preferred Stock, issued to The Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the
            City of New York.(1)
     4.6   Warrant for Series A Preferred Stock, issued to The Mount Sinai School of Medicine of the
            City of New York.(1)
     4.7   Warrant for Series C Preferred Stock, issued to Raymond, James & Associates.(1)
     4.8   Investors Rights Agreement, dated July 18, 1995, among the Registrant and the investors
            named therein.(1)
     5.1   Opinion of Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum.(1)
   +10.1   License Agreement between the Registrant and ARCH Development Corporation, dated July 1,
            1992.
   +10.2   Technology Transfer Agreement between the Registrant and The Mount Sinai School of Medicine
            of the City University of New York, dated February 9, 1993.(1)
   +10.3   Materials Transfer and Intellectual Property Agreement between the Registrant and the
            Regents of the University of Michigan, dated February 24, 1995.(1)
    10.4   Stock Transfer Agreement between the Registrant and the Regents of the University of
            Michigan, dated February 24, 1995.(1)
   +10.5   Development and License Agreement between the Registrant and Sang-A Pharm. Co., Ltd., dated
            May 3, 1995.(1)
   +10.6   Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between the Registrant and the National
            Institutes of Health, dated May 30, 1995.(1)
   +10.7   Heads of Agreement between the Registrant and SmithKline Beecham Biologicals S.A., dated
            October 8, 1995.(1)
   +10.8   Manufacturing and Development Agreement between the Registrant and Evans Medical Limited,
            dated November 7, 1995.
    10.9   1996 Equity Incentive Plan.(1)
    10.10  1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan.(1)
    10.11  1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.(1)
    10.12  Industrial Lease between the Registrant and the Vanni Business Park General Partnership,
            dated August 29, 1995.(1)
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        SEQUENTIAL
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                   PAGE
 NUMBER                                      DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                      NUMBER
- ---------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------
<C>        <S>                                                                                          <C>
   +10.13  First Amendment to License Agreement between the Registrant and ARCH Development
            Corporation, dated March 15, 1996.(1)
   +10.14  Biological Materials License Agreement between the Registrant and the National Institutes
            of Health, dated May 31, 1996.(1)
    11.1   Statement regarding Computation of Pro Forma Net Loss Per Share.(1)
    23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
    24.2   Consent of Cooley Godward Castro Huddleson & Tatum. Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.
    25.1   Power of Attorney. Reference is made to page II-5.(1)
    27.1   Financial Data Schedules.(1)
</TABLE>
    
 
- -------------------
 +  Confidential treatment has been requested for portions of this exhibit.
(1) Previously filed.

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

<PAGE>

CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN DELETED, AS
MARKED BY BRACKETS, AND HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED.



                                  LICENSE AGREEMENT

    License Agreement dated as of July 1, 1992, between ARCH DEVELOPMENT
CORPORATION, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation ("ARCH"), and VECTOR
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a California corporation ("Licensee").


                                PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

    ARCH holds rights to the Licensed Patent Rights described below.

    Licensee wishes to obtain the right to exploit the Licensed Patent Rights
in commercial settings.

    Therefore, in consideration of the mutual obligations set forth herein and
of other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, ARCH and Licensee agree as follows.

                                      ARTICLE I
                                     DEFINITIONS

    The following capitalized terms are used in this Agreement with the
following meanings:

    "AFFILIATE" means, as to any person or entity, any other person or entity
which is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is under common control with,
such person or entity.  For purposes of the preceding definition, "control"
means the right to control, or actual control of, the management of such other
entity, whether by ownership of voting securities, by agreement, or otherwise.

    "COMBINATION PRODUCT" means any product that is comprised in part of a
Licensed Product and in part of one or more other biologically active
diagnostic, preventive or therapeutic agents which are not themselves Licensed
Products (the "Other Agents").  "Other Agents" excludes diluents and vehicles of
Licensed Products.

    "COMMERCIAL SALE" means any transfer to another person or entity, for
value, after which transfer the seller has no right or power to determine the
transferee's resale price, if any.  A transfer by Licensee to an Affiliate or
sublicensee shall not constitute a Commercial Sale.  "Commercial Sale" does not
include distribution of free promotional samples of any Licensed Product or
Combination Product by Licensee or any of its Affiliates or sublicensees in
amounts determined to be commercially reasonable by Vector.

<PAGE>

    "IMPROVEMENTS" means all modifications, revisions or improvements to the
Inventions within the Scope hereafter owned by or subject to the rights of ARCH
which improve the performance, marketability, manufacture or quality of the
Inventions or any Licensed Product, but only to the extent such modifications,
revisions or improvements are not subject to the rights of any third party
funding source.

    "INVENTIONS" means the devices, machines, methods, processes,
manufactures, compositions of matter and uses (in each case whether patentable
or unpatentable) disclosed in or by the patents and patent applications listed
on Schedule I attached hereto.

    "LATER DEVELOPMENTS" means all discoveries, inventions, or other
proprietary matters within the Scope (other than Improvements) now or hereafter
owned by or subject to the rights of ARCH, but only to the extent such
discoveries, inventions or other proprietary matters are not subject to the
rights of any third party funding source.

    "LICENSED FIELD" means the prediction, monitoring,
diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease in humans, animals and plants.

    "LICENSED PATENT RIGHTS" means (a) the patents and patent applications in
which are disclosed any and all Inventions, and (b) all patents and patent
applications which are divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part,
reissues, renewals, reexaminations, foreign counterparts, substitutions, or
extensions of or to any patent applications or patents described in clause (a)
of this sentence.

    "LICENSED PRODUCT" means any product within the scope of any claim of any
patent or patent application within the Licensed Patent Rights and any product
made by any art, method or process within the scope of any claim of any patent
or patent application within the Licensed Patent Rights.

    "NET SALES" means:

         (a)  with respect to Licensed Products, the gross sales price actually
    charged by Licensee or an Affiliate or sublicensee of Licensee in the
    Commercial Sale of such Licensed Product, less:

              (i)  trade, prompt payment, quantity or cash discounts, rebates,
         and non-affiliated brokers' or agents' commissions, each as actually
         and customarily allowed and taken;


                                         -2-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED



              (ii)  amounts actually repaid or credited to customers on account
         of rejections or returns of specified products on which Royalties have
         been paid hereunder or on account of retroactive price reductions
         affecting such products;

              (iii) customary freight and other transportation costs, including
         insurance charges, and duties, tariffs, sales, use and excise taxes
         and other governmental charges based directly on sales, turnover or
         delivery of the specified products and actually paid or allowed by
         Licensee, an Affiliate of Licensee or a sublicensee; and

              (iv)  commercially reasonable allowances for bad debts incurred
         with respect to the initial Licensed Product during the first full
         year of Commercial Sales of such Licensed Product, PROVIDED that such
         bad debt reserve shall be deemed extinguished within 180 days of the
         end of such first full year, and any amount of such reserve not
         actually debited in accordance with commercially reasonable practices
         during that period shall be deemed to be receipts of Net Sales for all
         purposes of this Agreement; and

         (b)  with respect to Combination Products, the gross sales price
    actually charged by Licensee or an Affiliate or sublicensee of Licensee in
    the Commercial Sale of such Combination Product, less the deductions set
    forth in subsections (a)(i) - (iv) above, multiplied by a fraction having
    (i) a numerator of [             ] and (ii) a denominator of the [        ]

    The "fair market value" for any Licensed Product or Other Agent shall be
    determined for [

         ] When no fair market value is available, the fraction set forth 
    above shall be changed to a fraction having (x) a numerator of [         ] 
    and (y) a denominator

    of [

              ] PROVIDED that in no event shall the fraction be less than [
                        ] if only one Other Agent is included with a Licensed
    Product(s) in such


                                         -3-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


    Combination Product, (B) [     ], if two Other Agents are included with a
    Licensed Product(s) in such Combination Product, and (C) [   ], if three or
    more Other Agents are included with a Licensed Product(s) in such
    Combination Product.  "Cost" as used above means [                      ]

    "PATENT COSTS" means a person's out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of the
patents under the Licensed Patent Rights, including, among other items, the fees
and expenses of attorneys and patent agents, filing fees and maintenance fees,
but excluding costs involved in any patent infringement claims.

    "ROYALTIES" means all amounts payable under clauses (b) and
(c) of Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

    "SCOPE" means and shall be limited to (i) [          ] adapted for use in 
[    ] that are subject to an obligation of assignment to the University and 
in which ARCH has obtained property rights, and which have been developed (a) 
by [                                ] in the course of a collaborative 
research effort with one or more scientists from entities other than the 
University, or (b) by [    ]in the course of a research effort conducted 
principally in the laboratory [    ] and not in the course of a collaborative 
effort with one or more senior scientists at the University, and (ii) the 
[          ] described in [  ]of Schedule I attached hereto.  "Scope" does 
not include [               ]

    "SUBLICENSE" means any grant by Licensee of any rights to a sublicensee
under the terms of Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

    "TECHNICAL INFORMATION" means the technical information, know-how, 
processes, reagents, protocols, and samples of assay components, media and/or 
cell lines and procedures and formulations for producing same, if any, in 
ARCH's or [    ] possession, claimed or described in the Licensed Patent 
Rights, and which contribute in whole or in part to the practice of the 
Inventions.

    "TERRITORY" means worldwide.

    "UNIVERSITY" means the University of Chicago.


                                         -4-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                                      ARTICLE II

                                   GRANT OF LICENSE

    2.1. GRANT.  ARCH hereby grants and agrees to grant to Licensee and its
Affiliates:

    (a)  an exclusive (except as otherwise specified in Sections
2.2 and 2.3) license to practice the Inventions and make, have made, use and
sell Licensed Products (whether singly or as part of a Combination Product, and
including the provision of services in connection therewith) under the Licensed
Patent Rights within the Licensed Field and within the Territory; and

    (b)  the exclusive right and authority to grant Sublicenses of the rights
granted in clause (a) above, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

    2.2. RESERVATIONS.  ARCH reserves for itself and the University the 
irrevocable, non-transferable right to make and use (but not sell) Licensed 
Products and to use the Licensed Patent Rights, all for educational and 
research purposes only. In addition, the Inventions may have been conceived 
with the use of United States government funds.  Therefore, there is reserved 
from the rights granted hereunder the right of the United States government 
to practice the Inventions for its own purposes in such manner as it sees 
fit.  Licensee further acknowledges that third parties may have ownership 
interests in Improvements or Later Developments which may preclude the grant 
of an exclusive license to Licensee in such Improvements or Later 
Developments.  Neither ARCH nor the University shall have any obligation to 
pay Licensee a royalty or any other fee for the rights reserved in this 
Section.

    2.3. OTHER RIGHTS.  Licensee acknowledges and understands that pursuant 
to that certain Research Agreement by and between the University and 
[           ] dated [        ] as amended, the patents and patent 
applications identified as [    ] have been issued and filed [               ]
 ARCH agrees that it will use its good faith efforts to cause the University 
to obtain, and thereafter assign to ARCH, the patents and patent applications 
described above pursuant to the proposed Assignment Agreement between the 
University [    ] attached hereto as Exhibit A under substantially the same 
terms as are set forth in the [                ] so as to effectuate fully 
the intention of the parties to license to Licensee all of the patents and 
patent applications set forth on Schedule I attached hereto.  ARCH agrees 
that it will keep Licensee fully informed of the status of its efforts to 
obtain

                                         -5-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


[               ] agreement to the [                   ] as currently exists 
or as negotiated by ARCH in good faith.  Vector acknowledges that (i) 
notwithstanding ARCH's good faith efforts to enter into the [            ] 
with [                ] the agreement which ARCH may eventually enter into 
with [   ] may differ substantially from the [          ] and (ii) in the 
event the [        ] (or some other assignment instrument) is entered into 
between the University and [                  ] the rights granted in Section 
2.1 above are subject to all of the terms and conditions of such 
[             ] (or alternative assignment instrument).  ARCH shall not have 
any obligation to pay Licensee a royalty or any other fee for the rights 
granted to [  ] pursuant to the [              ] (or alternative assignment 
instrument).

    2.4. SUBLICENSES.  Licensee may enter into Sublicenses for the Licensed 
Patent Rights as Licensee shall determine in its reasonable discretion, 
PROVIDED that (i) Licensee shall give ARCH written notice of the execution of 
any Sublicense immediately upon such an event, (ii) Licensee shall promptly 
provide ARCH with a copy of each such Sublicense and any amendments and 
modifications thereto, (iii) Licensee may not assign any of its obligations 
hereunder to any sublicensee, (iv) each Sublicense shall provide that ARCH 
shall not be responsible for the performance by Licensee of any of Licensee's 
obligations under such Sublicense, and (v) the terms of any such Sublicense 
shall be consistent with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon the termination 
of this Agreement for any reason prior to the expiration of the 
last-to-expire patent under the Licensed Patent Rights, Licensee's rights 
(but not obligations) under each Sublicense shall automatically be deemed 
transferred to ARCH without the necessity of any notice or other 
communication from ARCH to the sublicensee, and each Sublicense shall 
continue thereafter in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.  
Licensee agrees to provide for such an event in each Sublicense in a manner 
reasonably acceptable to ARCH.

    2.5. IMPROVEMENTS. (a) ARCH hereby grants to Licensee an option, [    ] 
to include any Improvements within the licenses granted pursuant to Section 
2.1 on the terms otherwise set forth in this Agreement.  Licensee shall have 
the right, [    ] to request from [                     ] either 
telephonically or in writing, information regarding the existence or nature 
of any Improvements PROVIDED Licensee acknowledges and agrees that any 
failure of [ ] to provide such information will not constitute a breach of 
this Agreement by ARCH.  ARCH agrees to notify Licensee in writing of any 
Improvement [         ]of ARCH acquiring title to such Improvement, which 
notice shall describe the Improvement in general terms and shall be 
accompanied by a confidentiality agreement in reasonable form to be executed 
by Licensee.  Upon the execution of such

                                         -6-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


confidentiality agreement ARCH shall provide Licensee with sufficient details
regarding the subject Improvement to allow Licensee to evaluate its commercial
potential.

    (b)  Licensee shall have an exclusive period of [    ] after receipt of 
detailed information concerning an Improvement in which to notify ARCH in 
writing of its desire to exercise its option with respect to such 
Improvement.  If Licensee fails to deliver such notice within the applicable 
time, or notifies ARCH that it does not wish to exercise such option, 
Licensee shall have no further rights with respect to such Improvement of any 
kind or nature whatsoever.

    (c)  If Licensee exercises its option with respect to an Improvement, the
Improvement shall thereafter be deemed an "Invention" for all purposes of this
Agreement, and ARCH's and Licensee's rights and obligations with respect thereto
shall be as set forth in this Agreement.  Licensee agrees that it shall pay, or
at ARCH's option reimburse ARCH for, the Patent Costs incurred with respect to
the Licensed Patent Rights arising as a consequence of any such Invention
(including any Patent Costs for which ARCH is obligated to reimburse any
governmental agency), whether incurred before or after the date on which
Licensee exercises its option therefor.

    2.6. TECHNICAL INFORMATION.  ARCH agrees to provide Licensee with Technical
Information which comes within ARCH's possession from time to time during the
term of this Agreement.  Licensee shall be entitled to use (and shall be
entitled to allow its Affiliates and sublicensees to use) such Technical
Information internally in support of development, discovery, manufacturing and
marketing efforts for sales of Licensed Products, PROVIDED that any such use by
Licensee or its Affiliates or sublicensees shall be subject to the restrictions
set forth in Section 5.4 below.  ARCH further agrees to use its good faith
efforts to cause [                  ] to promptly deliver the reagents contained
in the Technical Information and the patent applications contained within the
Licensed Patent Rights in his possession to Licensee, at Licensee's expense.

    2.7. OWNERSHIP OF DISCOVERIES.  Each party acknowledges and agrees that any
and all discoveries, know-how, inventions, methods, ideas and the like
("Discoveries") made or discovered solely by its employees, consultants or
agents acting within the scope of their respective engagements shall be owned
solely by it and that any and all Discoveries made jointly by employees,
consultants or agents of each shall be jointly owned, all as determined in
accordance with U.S. laws of inventorship.  Nothing in the foregoing sentence
shall, however, be deemed to constitute the grant of any rights by one party to
the other in and to any Discoveries, or any other discoveries or inventions
owned by such party, which are not subject to this Agreement.


                                         -7-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED



                                     ARTICLE III

                                       PAYMENTS

    3.1. ROYALTIES.  For the licenses granted in Section 2.1 of this Agreement,
Licensee shall pay ARCH the amounts determined pursuant to subsections (a), (b)
and (c) below.

    (a)  Licensee shall provide ARCH written notice within fifteen (15) days 
of achievement of each of the milestone events set forth below in respect of 
any Licensed Products and Combination Products developed by Licensee, its 
Affiliates or sublicensees, [                                            ] 
events.  Within thirty (30) days after delivering each such notice, Licensee 
shall make the milestone payments to ARCH set forth below:

    (i)  Licensee, any of its Affiliates or any of its
    sublicensees [         ] for any such Licensed Product or Combination
    Product: [           ]

    (ii) [         ] with respect to any such Licensed Product or Combination 
    Product: [        ] and

   
    (iii)Licensee, any of its Affiliates or any of its sublicensees [    ] any
    such Licensed Product or Combination Product: [                    ]
    up to an aggregate maximum amount of Two Million, Six Hundred Thousand 
    Dollars ($2,600,000).  Such milestone payments shall be credited 
    against any and all Royalties due to ARCH hereunder in amounts not 
    to exceed [             ] of the Royalties due in any calendar quarter,
    if any, until Licensee shall have received credit for all such milestone 
    payments actually made.  If no U.S. patent issues to ARCH, or an issued 
    patent is invalidated, which patent or patent application contains 
    significant protection for the Inventions incorporated in a Licensed 
    Product for which milestone payments have been made, such milestone 
    payments shall instead be credited against any and all Royalties due to 
    ARCH hereunder in amounts not to exceed [               ] of the Royalties
    due in any calendar quarter.
    
    (b) A running royalty equal to [                ] of Net Sales of Licensed
Products and Combination Products sold by Licensee or any of its Affiliates; and

    (c) A running royalty determined with respect to each Sublicense entered
into by Licensee or any of its Affiliates as follows:


                                         -8-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

   
         (i) Where either (a) prior to execution of a Sublicense, Licensee or
         an Affiliate of Licensee has failed to [


                          ] or (b) Licensee has failed to provide evidence
         reasonably satisfactory to ARCH that [




                                                                          ] then

         all Licensee shall pay to ARCH fifty percent (50%) of all amounts 
         actually paid to Licensee or an Affiliate of Licensee by a sublicensee
         with respect to the Licensed Patent Rights so sublicensed (regardless 
         of whether such payments are denominated as fees, royalties or 
         otherwise, and whether paid at the time of or subsequent to the grant 
         of such Sublicense), except that Licensee or an Affiliate of Licensee 
         shall have the right to retain amounts received from such sublicensee
         specifically related to research and development funding activity,
         equity investments in Licensee or an Affiliate of Licensee by such
         sublicensee, loans by such sublicensee to Licensee or an Affiliate of
         Licensee, or other similar financing activities provided by such
         sublicensee for the benefit of Licensee or an Affiliate of Licensee;
         or
    
        (ii) in all other such cases, [   ] of Net Sales of Licensed Products
        and Combination Products sold by the subject sublicensee.

All payments made to ARCH pursuant to this Section 3.1 shall be non-refundable
under any and all circumstances.

    3.2. CALCULATION OF ROYALTIES. (a) Royalties shall be calculated on a
calendar quarter basis.  Payment of Royalties with respect to each calendar
quarter shall be due within sixty (60) days after the end of each quarter,
beginning with the calendar quarter in which the first commercial sale of
Licensed Products occurs.

    (b)  At the same time that it makes payment of Royalties due with respect
to a calendar quarter, Licensee shall deliver to ARCH a true and complete
accounting of Commercial Sales of Licensed Products and receipts from those
Commercial Sales by Licensee, its Affiliates and its sublicensees during the
quarter,


                                         -9-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


with separate accountings of (i) sales and receipts by country and by Licensed
Product and Combination Product, and (ii) a calculation of the Royalty due ARCH
for such calendar quarter showing the basis on which the Royalty for a
particular Licensed Product or Combination Product was determined.  If no
Commercial Sales of Licensed Products or Sublicense payments were made in such
quarter then Licensee's statement shall be a statement to such effect.

    (c)  Licensee hereby covenants and agrees that it shall promptly notify
ARCH of the occurrence of the events giving rise to Licensee's obligations to
make payments pursuant to 3.1(b) and (c) above.

    3.3. RECORDS. Licensee shall keep, and shall cause its Affiliates and
sublicensees to keep, accurate records in sufficient detail to permit the
Royalties payable under this Agreement to be determined.  During the term of
this Agreement and for a period of three (3) years following termination of this
Agreement, Licensee shall permit (and shall cause each of its Affiliates and
sublicensees to permit), upon written request by ARCH and reasonable notice to
Licensee, its books and records regarding the sale of Licensed Products and
Combination Products to be examined and copied from time to time (but in no
event more than twice in any calendar year), at the request of ARCH during
normal business hours by ARCH or any representative of ARCH, and shall require
each of its Affiliates and sublicensees to do the same.  Such examination shall
be made at ARCH's expense, except that if such examination discloses a
discrepancy of 5% or more in the amount of Royalties due ARCH, then Licensee
shall reimburse ARCH for the reasonable cost of such examination, including any
professional fees incurred by ARCH.  In connection with any examination or
copying of books or records in accordance with the preceding sentence, ARCH or
such representative of ARCH shall examine only such information as is required
to verify the Licensee's compliance under this Agreement.

    3.4. FOREIGN PAYMENTS.  In the event of transactions giving rise to an
obligation to make a payment hereunder with respect to which Licensee, any of
its Affiliates or any sublicensee receives payment in a currency other than
currency which is legal tender in the United States of America, all payments
required to be made by Licensee under Section 3.1 hereof shall be converted,
prior to payment, into United States dollars at the applicable rate of exchange
of Citibank, N.A., in New York, New York, on the last day of the quarter in
which such transaction occurred.

    3.5. OVERDUE PAYMENTS.  Payments due to ARCH under this Agreement shall, 
if not paid when due, bear simple interest at the lower of [    ] or the 
highest rate permitted by law, calculated on the basis of a 360 day year for 
the number of days actually elapsed, beginning on the due date and ending on 
the day prior to

                                         -10-

<PAGE>



the day on which payment is made in full.  Interest accruing under this Section
shall be due to ARCH on demand.  The accrual or receipt by ARCH of interest
under this Section shall not constitute a waiver by ARCH of any right it may
otherwise have to declare a default under this Agreement or to terminate this
Agreement.

    3.6. TERMINATION REPORT AND PAYMENT.  Within sixty (60) days after the date
of termination of this Agreement, Licensee shall make a written report to ARCH
which report shall state the number, description, and amount of Licensed
Products sold by Licensee, its Affiliates or any sublicensee upon which
Royalties are payable hereunder but which were not previously reported to ARCH,
a calculation of the Net Sales of such Licensed Products, and a calculation of
the Royalty payment due ARCH for such Licensed Products.  Concurrent with the
making of such report, Licensee shall make the Royalty payment due ARCH for such
period.

    3.7. PROGRESS REPORT.  Licensee shall provide ARCH with an annual written
report (the "Annual Report") delivered on or before February 28 of each year
during the term of this Agreement.  The Annual Reports shall be in reasonable
detail and shall include, with respect to the year just completed, reports
concerning (a) the status of Licensed Products targeted for commencement of
development efforts, (b) the status of Licensed Products under active
development, and (c) the status of developed Licensed Products.

                                      ARTICLE IV

                            NO WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION

    4.1. WARRANTIES.  ARCH warrants that it has the right to enter into and
perform all of its obligations under this Agreement, and that to ARCH's
knowledge there exists no impediment to ARCH's right to enter into this
Agreement or perform its obligations hereunder.

    4.2. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES.  Except as otherwise specifically set 
forth in Section 4.1 above, ARCH HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL 
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, RELATING TO THE 
INVENTIONS, THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION, THE LICENSED PRODUCTS, THE COMBINATION 
PRODUCTS OR LICENSED PATENT RIGHTS.  ARCH FURTHER HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS 
ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A 
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR THAT THE PRACTICE OF THE LICENSED PATENT RIGHTS, OR 
THE MAKING, USING OR SELLING OF LICENSED PRODUCTS OR COMBINATION PRODUCTS, 
WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, OR OTHER RIGHTS OF THIRD 
PARTIES.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, ARCH expressly 
does not warrant (i) the patentability of any of

                                         -11-

<PAGE>



the Inventions, (ii) the accuracy of the Technical Information, or other 
information contained in the patents and patent applications listed on 
Schedule I attached hereto, or (iii) the accuracy, safety, or usefulness for 
any purpose, of the Technical Information, Licensed Patent Rights, 
Inventions, Licensed Products or Combination Products.  Nothing contained in 
this Agreement shall be construed as either a warranty or representation by 
ARCH as to the validity or scope of any of any Licensed Patent Rights.  ARCH 
assumes no liability in respect of any infringement of any patent or other 
right of third parties due to the activities of Licensee, any of its 
Affiliates or any sublicensee under this Agreement.

    4.3. INDEMNIFICATION. (a) None of ARCH, the University, any Affiliate of
any of the foregoing, or any trustee, director, officer, employee, agent or
representative of any of the foregoing (each an "Indemnified Person") shall have
any liability whatsoever to Licensee, any of its Affiliates, any sublicensee or
any other person for or on account of (and Licensee agrees and covenants, and
agrees to cause each of its Affiliates and sublicensees to agree and covenant,
not to sue any Indemnified Person in connection with) any injury, loss, or
damage, of any kind or nature, sustained by, or any damage assessed or asserted
against, or any other liability incurred by or imposed upon, Licensee, any of
its Affiliates or any sublicensee or any other person, arising out of or in
connection with or resulting from (i) the production, use or sale of the
Licensed Products and Combination Products by Licensee, any of its Affiliates or
its sublicensees, (ii) the use of any Technical Information or Invention by
Licensee, any of its Affiliates or its sublicensees, or (iii) any advertising or
other promotional activities with respect to either of the foregoing.  Licensee
shall indemnify and hold ARCH harmless against all claims, demands, losses,
damages or penalties (including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees at
the pretrial, trial or appellate level) made against any Indemnified Person with
respect to items (i), (ii) and (iii) above (excluding claims made by any third
party alleging the invalidity or challenging the scope of any patent included in
the Licensed Patent Rights), whether or not such claims are groundless or
without merit or basis.  This Section 4.3(a) shall not apply to claims by any
third party brought against any Indemnified Person claiming an ownership
interest in the Inventions, Licensed Products, Combination Products, the
Licensed Patent Rights or the Technical Information.

    (b)  This Agreement is entered into by ARCH independently from the
University, and ARCH is acting independently from the University and in its own
private capacity and is not acting on behalf of the University, nor as its
contractor nor its agent.  Correspondingly, it is understood and agreed that the
University is not a party to this Agreement and in no manner shall be liable for
nor assume any responsibility or obligation for any claim,


                                         -12-

<PAGE>



cost or damages arising out of or resulting from this Agreement, the subject
matter licensed, or any action or lack thereof by ARCH, the University, Licensee
or any of Licensee's Affiliates or sublicensees with respect thereto.

    (c)  Licensee agrees to list ARCH, at Licensee's expense, as an additional
insured under each liability insurance policy covering products that Licensee
and each of its Affiliates and sublicensees obtains that includes any coverage
of claims relating to any of the Inventions, Licensed Patent Rights, Licensed
Products or Combination Products.  At ARCH's request, Licensee will supply ARCH
from time to time with copies of each such policy, and will notify ARCH in
writing of any termination of or reduction in coverage under any such policies.

    (d)  Licensee's obligations under this Section 4.3 shall survive the
expiration or earlier termination of all or any part of this Agreement.


                                      ARTICLE V

                PROSECUTION AND MAINTENANCE OF LICENSED PATENT RIGHTS

    5.1. PROSECUTION AND MAINTENANCE.  During the term of this Agreement, and
subject to the exceptions and provisions of Section 5.3 below, Licensee shall be
solely responsible for prosecuting and maintaining the patents under the
Licensed Patent Rights.  Except as otherwise specified in this Agreement,
Licensee shall pay when due all Patent Costs hereafter incurred with respect to
the Licensed Patent Rights.  Licensee shall provide ARCH with copies of all
official actions and other communications received by Licensee or its patent
counsel with respect to patents under the Licensed Patent Rights.  Licensee
shall further provide ARCH with copies of any and all draft filings with
governmental agencies with respect to the Licensed Patent Rights prior to the
submission to the recipients, and shall not submit any such filings without the
prior approval of ARCH (not unreasonably withheld or delayed).  Licensee and
ARCH shall mutually agree on the patent counsel to be employed by licensee in
connection with the performance of Licensee's obligations under this Article V.

    Section 5.2. COOPERATION.  ARCH agrees to cooperate with Licensee in the
preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of patents under the Licensed
Patent Rights, by disclosing such information as may be necessary and by
promptly executing such documents as Licensee may reasonably request to effect
such efforts.  Licensee shall reimburse ARCH for reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses incurred by ARCH in connection with its cooperation with Licensee
under this Section 5.2. All patents


                                         -13-

<PAGE>



under the Licensed Patent Rights shall be filed, prosecuted and maintained in
ARCH's name or as ARCH shall designate.

    5.3. ARCH APPLICATIONS. (a) In the event that ARCH wishes to file a patent
application with respect to any of the Inventions in any jurisdiction in which
an application has not already been filed, ARCH shall identify the jurisdiction
and the Invention in writing to Licensee, and Licensee shall have ninety (90)
days after it receives such written notice in which to file such a patent
application.  If Licensee declines or fails to file such a patent application
within the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days after receiving the written notice,
or (ii) thirty (30) days prior to the filing deadline with respect to such
proposed patent application in such proposed jurisdiction, Licensee shall
immediately notify ARCH, and ARCH may, in ARCH's discretion but in ARCH's name,
file and prosecute such patent application.

    (b)  If Licensee determines to abandon a patent application previously
filed with respect to any of the Inventions, it will give ARCH at least ninety
(90) days prior written notice of its intention to abandon such application.
ARCH may, by written notice to Licensee, elect to continue the prosecution of
the application at ARCH's sole expense and in ARCH's name.  If ARCH determines
to abandon a patent application previously filed by Licensee with respect to any
of the Inventions, it will give Licensee at least ninety (90) days prior written
notice of its intention to abandon such application (but in no event shall such
period be less than thirty (30) days prior to any filing deadline with respect
to such application).  Licensee may thereafter elect to continue the prosecution
of the application at Licensee's sole expense but in ARCH's name.

    (c)  The abandonment of any patent application by Licensee in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement shall not in any way affect the obligations of
Licensee for the payment of any amounts owing hereunder with respect to
Royalties or otherwise, nor shall it affect Licensee's license in and to the
Licensed Patent Rights or otherwise cause the termination of this Agreement
(unless the abandoned patent application is the last-to-expire of the Licensed
Patent Rights).

    5.4. CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) Both Licensee and ARCH agree to treat (and, in
the case of Licensee, to cause its Affiliates and sublicensees to treat) as
confidential (i) all proprietary information with respect to the Inventions or
the Licensed Patent Rights (including the Technical Information) made available
by ARCH to Licensee or by Licensee to ARCH, and (ii) the terms and provisions
of this Agreement (PROVIDED that ARCH may provide all of the foregoing
information to the University).  ARCH acknowledges that Licensee may find it
beneficial to disclose such information provided by ARCH during the conduct of
Licensee's business.  Under such circumstances, Licensee may make


                                         -14-

<PAGE>



such information available to third parties (including shareholders of
Licensee), PROVIDED that Licensee shall first obtain from the recipients a
fully-executed confidentiality agreement which is at least as restrictive as the
confidentiality agreement Licensee employs to protect its own most valuable
trade secrets.

    (b)  Neither Licensee nor ARCH shall be bound by the provisions of Section
5.4 with respect to information which (i) was previously known to the recipient
at the time of disclosure; or (ii) is in the public domain at the time of
disclosure; or (iii) becomes a part of the public domain after the time of
disclosure, other than through disclosure by the recipient or some other third
party who is under an agreement of confidentiality with respect to the subject
information; or (iv) is required to be disclosed by law.

    (c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5.4(a), each of ARCH and the
University shall be entitled to make and permit to be made disclosures of
information included in the Technical Information and the Inventions in
scholarly journals and publications, subject to this Section 5(c).  ARCH agrees
that it shall use its good faith efforts to provide Licensee with a copy of any
manuscript proposed to be published at least 60 days prior to the scheduled
publication date.  Licensee will review the text or any other material provided
to determine if patentable subject matter is disclosed in such text and other
material, and will notify ARCH within 20 days of the receipt of the proposed
manuscript if it reasonably feels that patentable subject matter is disclosed
and that corresponding patent applications should be filed by Licensee in
accordance with Section 5.1 above.  If it is then determined by ARCH, in the
exercise of its reasonable judgement, that patent applications should be filed,
ARCH will use its good faith efforts to assist Licensee in the filing by
Licensee of patent applications with respect to the patentable subject matter
pursuant to Section 5.1 prior to the proposed publication date.

    (d)  Licensee and ARCH shall each take such actions as the other party may
reasonably request from time to time to safeguard the confidentiality of any
information subject to the terms of this Section 5.4.

    (e)  The obligations of Licensee and ARCH under this Section
5.4 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of all or any other
part of this Agreement for three (3) years after such event.

    (f)  Licensee and ARCH acknowledge that ARCH has previously provided
Licensee with information described in Section 5.4(a) above, and that all such
information shall be deemed subject to


                                         -15-

<PAGE>



the provisions of this Section 5.(4) as if delivered immediately following the
execution of this Agreement.

                                      ARTICLE VI

                                     INFRINGEMENT

    6.1. NOTIFICATION.  In the event that either ARCH or Licensee becomes aware
of the infringement of any patent under the Licensed Patent Rights within the
Licensed Field, each shall promptly inform the other in writing of all details
available.

    6.2. LICENSEES RIGHT TO PROSECUTE. (a) In the event of infringement by a
third party of any patent under the Licensed Patent Rights within the Licensed
Field, Licensee may enforce the Licensed Patent Rights against the infringers by
appropriate legal proceedings or otherwise, provided that Licensee shall employ
counsel reasonably satisfactory to ARCH and shall inform ARCH of all
developments in such proceedings.  Licensee shall be responsible for all costs
and expenses of any enforcement activities, including legal proceedings, against
infringers which licensee initiates.  ARCH agrees to cooperate with and join in
any enforcement proceedings at the request of Licensee, and at Licensee's
expense.  ARCH may be represented by ARCH's counsel in any such legal
proceedings, at ARCH's own expense (subject to reimbursement under
Section 6.2(c)), acting in an advisory but not controlling capacity.

    (b)  The prosecution, settlement, or abandonment of any proceeding under
Section 6.2(a) shall be at Licensee's reasonable discretion, provided that
Licensee shall not have any right to surrender any of ARCH's rights to the
Licensed Patent Rights or to grant any infringer any rights to the Licensed
Patent Rights other than a sublicense subject to the conditions which would
apply to the grant of any other sublicense.

    (c)  All recoveries by way of royalties, damages and claims with respect to
infringement actions instituted, and claims made (including penalties and
interest), during the term of this Agreement, excluding any prosecuted by ARCH
under Section 6.3, shall belong to Licensee.  To the extent that Licensee's
recoveries with respect to an infringement action or claim exceed Licensee's
reasonable expenses with respect to such action or claim, Licensee shall
reimburse ARCH for ARCH's reasonable expenses for separate representation as
provided in Section 6.2(a) with respect to such action or claim.  The gross
amount of any such recoveries by Licensee, less any amounts already reimbursed
to ARCH for its expenses as provided in the immediately preceding sentence,
shall be considered Net Sales under this Agreement, giving rise to Royalty
obligations under Section 3.1(b), without any deductions of any kind.


                                         -16-

<PAGE>



    6.3. ARCH'S RIGHT TO PROSECUTE - WITHIN LICENSED FIELD.  In the event of
infringement by a third party of any Licensed Patent Rights within the Licensed
Field which ARCH wishes to prosecute, ARCH shall first make a written request
that Licensee proceed.  In the event that Licensee fails or declines to proceed
within ninety (90) days after receipt of a written request by ARCH to do so,
then, in ARCH's sole discretion, (i) ARCH may prosecute the infringer in the
name of ARCH or Licensee and (ii) the grant of license to Licensee may become
non-exclusive.  Any actions by ARCH pursuant to this clause shall be ARCH's own
expense, and ARCH may collect and retain for ARCH's own use any and all
recoveries in any proceeding by ARCH under this Section 6.3. Recoveries
collected and retained by ARCH under this Section 6.3 shall not be considered
Net Sales or give rise to royalty obligations under Article III.  Licensee will
cooperate with ARCH and execute any documents necessary for ARCH to exercise
ARCH's rights under this clause.  To the extent that ARCH's recoveries with
respect to an infringement action or claim exceed ARCH's reasonable expenses
with respect to such action or claim, ARCH shall reimburse Licensee for
Licensee's reasonable costs in connection with cooperating with ARCH in the
prosecution of such action or claim.

    6.4  INFRINGEMENT OF RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES.  If a Licensed Product
becomes the subject of a claim for patent infringement anywhere in the world by
virtue of the incorporation of the Licensed Patent Rights or the Inventions, the
parties shall promptly give notice to the other and meet to consider the claim
and the appropriate course of action.  Licensee shall have the right to conduct
the defense of any such suit brought against Licensee and either or both of ARCH
and the University using counsel reasonably acceptable to ARCH, and shall have
the sole right and authority to settle any such suit, PROVIDED that (i) ARCH and
the University, as applicable, shall have the right (but not the obligation) to
participate in such suit at their own cost and expense, and (ii) Licensee shall
not have any right to surrender any of ARCH's or the University's rights to the
Licensed Patent Rights or to grant to any person or entity any rights to the
Licensed Patent Rights other than a sublicense subject to the conditions which
would apply to the grant of any other sublicense hereunder.  In those
circumstances where a third party asserts that its patent dominates the Licensed
Patent Rights and Licensee's right to practice such is at issue, Licensee shall
have the right to require ARCH's participation in any such suit, upon reasonable
prior written notice, but at Licensee's expense.


                                         -17-

<PAGE>



                                     ARTICLE VII

                                     TERMINATION

    7.1  ARCH RIGHT TO TERMINATE.  ARCH shall have the right (without prejudice
to any of its other rights conferred on it by this Agreement) to terminate this
Agreement if Licensee (or, with respect to subsection (d) below, any of its
Affiliates):

    (a)  is in default in (i) payments specified in Section 3.1 above, (ii)
payments of any reimbursement obligations provided for in this Agreement, or
(iii) the making or giving of any reports or notices required to be made or
given under this Agreement, and Licensee fails to remedy any such default within
thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by ARCH;

    (b)  is in material breach of Sections 2.4, 3.3, 3.7, 4.3(c), 5.1, 5.4,
10.2(b) or 10.7 hereof, or Articles VIII or XI, and Licensee fails to remedy any
such default within ninety (90) days after written notice thereof by ARCH;

    (c)  knowingly or wilfully makes any materially false report; or

    (d)  shall commence a voluntary case as a debtor under the Bankruptcy Code
of the United States or any successor statute (the "Bankruptcy Code"), or if an
involuntary case shall be commenced against Licensee under the Bankruptcy Code
and the petition in such case is not dismissed within 30 days of the
commencement of the case, or if an order for relief shall be entered in such
case, or if the same or any similar circumstance shall occur under the laws of
any foreign jurisdiction.

    7.2. LICENSEE RIGHT TO TERMINATE.  Licensee may terminate this Agreement at
any time by written notice to ARCH, given at least ninety (90) days prior to the
termination date specified in the notice.

    7.3. EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

    (a)  In the event of the termination of this Agreement for any reason,
whether by Licensee or ARCH, Licensee shall immediately cease and shall cause
each of its Affiliates to immediately cease (i) using, making and having made
the Inventions, the Technical Information and any Licensed Products or
Combination Products derived therefrom, and shall return to ARCH, or deliver as
ARCH directs, the Inventions and the Technical Information then in its
possession, and (ii) selling any Licensed Products or Combination Products out
of inventories accumulated by Licensee prior to the effective date of
termination within sixty (60) days of such date.


                                         -18-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


    (b)  Notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement, the following
provisions of this Agreement shall survive:

         (i)  Licensee's obligation to pay Royalties accrued or accruable;

         (ii) Licensee's obligations under Articles III, IV and XI, Sections 
         5.1, 5.2, 5.4 and, to the extent proceedings have been initiated, 
         Section 6.2, and this Section 7.3(b); and

         (iii) any cause of action or claim of Licensee or ARCH, accrued or to
         accrue, because of any breach or default by the other party.

    7.4. EXPIRATION OF PATENT RIGHTS.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the
expiration of the last-to-expire patents of the Licensed Patent Rights, provided
that ARCH's and Licensee's obligations under Sections 4.2 and 5.4 shall survive
and continue in effect as provided in such Sections.

                                     ARTICLE VIII

                                     ADVERTISING

    Each party agrees not to use (and Licensee agrees to prohibit its 
Affiliates and sublicensees from using) the name of the other party (and, in 
the case of Licensee, the names of the University and the inventors of the 
Inventions) in any commercial activity, marketing, advertising or sales 
brochures except with the prior written consent of the other party, which 
such consent may be granted or withheld in such party's sole and complete 
discretion, PROVIDED that, with the prior written consent of ARCH not 
unreasonably withheld or delayed, Licensee may disclose (i) the names of 
ARCH, the University and the inventors) of the Inventions to banks, 
commercial finance institutions or prospective investors from which Licensee 
may attempt to obtain debt or equity financing, (ii) the identities of ARCH, 
the University and the inventor(s) of the Inventions and their respective 
connections to, and ownership interests in, the Inventions and the Licensed 
Patent Rights, and (iii) the identity of [        ] in advertising and sales 
materials.

                                      ARTICLE IX

                                  LATER DEVELOPMENTS

    9.1. ARCH hereby grants Licensee the right to negotiate to obtain, on the
terms set forth in this Article IX, a license on any Later Developments, which
license shall be on mutually agreeable terms.


                                         -19-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


    9.2. ARCH shall notify Licensee of any Later Developments by a writing
referring to this provision within ninety (90) days of learning of such Later
Development, in sufficient detail to allow Licensee to evaluate the commercial
potential of such Later Development.  Licensee shall then have ninety (90) days
after receipt of such disclosure to submit to ARCH a written offer to license
the subject Later Developments on the terms set forth in Licensee's written
offer.  If Licensee shall fail to make such an offer within such period, its
rights to obtain such Later Development shall be void, and Licensee shall have
no interest in or right to such Later Development.

    9.3. If Licensee makes the offer described in Section 9.2 above, ARCH
shall, within a period of ninety (90) days of the receipt of such offer, notify
Licensee in writing of either (i) ARCH's acceptance of such offer, or (ii)
ARCH's acceptance of a competing offer which is, taking into consideration the
overall economic benefit to ARCH of Licensee's offer and the competing offer,
deemed by ARCH to be materially more favorable to ARCH.  If ARCH accepts
Licensee's offer to license the subject Later Development, the license shall be
on the terms set forth in the offer and otherwise on the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement to the extent not inconsistent with the offer.  If
ARCH does not accept Licensee's offer, ARCH shall disclose to Licensee in said
notice the basis for its decision, including the disclosure of the terms of the
competing offer which ARCH deemed materially more favorable to ARCH.

                                      ARTICLE X

                                    MISCELLANEOUS

    10.1. GOOD FAITH EFFORTS. [                          ]

    10.2. ASSIGNMENT. (a) This Agreement may, at any time and upon sixty (60) 
days prior notice to Licensee, be assigned by ARCH without such assignment 
operating to terminate, impair or in any way change the rights which ARCH 
would have had, or any of the obligations or rights which Licensee would have 
had, if such assignment had not occurred, PROVIDED, however, that in no event 
shall ARCH assign this Agreement to any entity deemed by Licensee in the 
exercise of its reasonable discretion to be (i) an operating or research and 
development competitor of Licensee, or (ii) a financial investor entity 
(excluding any Affiliate of ARCH or the University) which owns a controlling 
interest in any entity described in (i) above.  From and after the making of 
such assignment, the assignee shall be substituted for ARCH as a party 
hereto, and ARCH shall no longer be bound hereby, and shall have not further 
obligations hereunder.

    (b) This Agreement may be assigned by Licensee to an Affiliate of Licensee
    upon at least thirty (30) days prior


                                         -20-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


written notice to ARCH, PROVIDED, that in no event shall such assignment relieve
Licensee of its liability for the performance of Licensee's obligations
hereunder, nor shall it deprive ARCH of its rights to terminate this Agreement
or enforce its rights against Licensee or Licensee's assignee as specifically
provided herein.  This Agreement shall not be assigned by Licensee in any other
circumstances without the prior written consent of ARCH,
[                                                      ]

    10.3. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.  This Agreement (including 
any schedules and exhibits attached) contains the entire understanding of the 
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be 
amended, modified or altered only by an instrument in writing duly executed 
by the parties hereto.  The waiver of a breach hereunder may be effected only 
by a writing signed by the waiving party and shall not constitute a waiver of 
any other breach.

    10.4. NOTICES.  Any notice or report required or permitted to be given or 
made under this Agreement by one of the parties hereto to the other shall be 
in writing and shall be given by personal delivery or by United States 
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows:

    If to ARCH:         ARCH Development Corporation
                        1115-25 East 58th Street
                        Chicago, Illinois 60637
                        Attention: President

                        with a copy to:

                        Thomas M. Fitzpatrick, Esq.
                        Fitzpatrick Law Offices
                        20 North Wacker Drive
                        Chicago, Illinois 60606

    If to Licensee:     Vector Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
                        4009 Miranda Avenue, Suite 275
                        Palo Alto, CA 94304
                        Attention: President

    with a copy to:     Alan Mendelson, Esq.
                        Cooley, Godward, Castro, Huddleson &
                             Tatum
                        Five Palo Alto Square, 4th Floor
                        Palo Alto, CA 94306

or to such other address of which the intended recipient shall have notified
the sender by a written notice given in accordance with the terms of this
Section.  Any notice under this Agreement shall be effective when received.


                                         -21-

<PAGE>



    10.5. SEVERABILITY.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions 
of this Agreement should for any reason be held by any court or authority 
having jurisdiction over this Agreement, or either of the parties hereto, to 
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision or provisions shall be 
reformed to approximate as nearly as possible the intent of the parties, and 
the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.

    10.6. GOVERNING LAW.  The interpretation and performance of this 
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Illinois applicable 
to contracts made and to be performed in that state.

    10.7. MARKING.  Licensee shall place in a conspicuous location on any 
Licensed Product (or its packaging where appropriate) made or sold under this 
Agreement, a patent notice in accordance with the laws concerning the marking 
of patented articles.

    10.8. IMPLEMENTATION.  Each party shall, at the request of the other 
party, execute any document reasonably necessary to implement the provision 
of this Agreement.

    10.9. COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple 
counterparts, each of which when taken together shall constitute one and the 
same instrument.

    10.10 CAPTIONS.  The captions used in this Agreement are for convenience 
only, and are not intended by the parties to be used in the construction or 
application of the terms hereof.

                                      ARTICLE XI

                                   EXPORT CONTROLS

    Neither Licensee nor ARCH shall (i) knowingly transfer, directly or 
indirectly, any controlled technical data obtained or to be obtained from the 
other party hereto to a destination outside the United States, or (ii) 
knowingly ship, directly or indirectly, any product produced using such 
controlled technical data to any destination outside the United States, in 
either case in violation of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Export 
Administration Regulations.

                                         -22-

<PAGE>



    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers or representatives on the
date first above written.


ARCH:                                  ARCH Development Corporation, an
                                       Illinois not-for-profit corporation


                                       By: /s/ S Tazauus
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Its President
                                                -------------------------------

Licensee:                              Vector Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a
                                       California corporation

                                       By: /s/ L Reed
                                           ------------------------------------
                                            Its President
                                                -------------------------------


                                         -23-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                                      Schedule I

                           PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS

1.  [                                                 ]

2.  [                                                                  ]

3.  [                                            ]

4.  [                                            ]

5.  [                                 ]

6.  [                               ]

7.  [                                                                    ]

8.  [                                                                 ]


                                         -24-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                                     Schedule II

                  AGREEMENTS, ASSIGNMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES OR LICENSES



    Those agreements, assignments, encumbrances, licenses and rights granted 
to [                ] pursuant to an Assignment Agreement attached hereto as 
Exhibit 1 anticipated to be entered into between the University [ ]promptly 
following the execution of this Agreement.

                                         -25-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                                    EXHIBIT 1 TO
                                 LICENSE AGREEMENT


                                 ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT


    ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT dated as of this 26th day of June, 1992 between the
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, an Illinois not for profit corporation ("University") and
[    ] formerly known as [                ]

                                PRELIMINARY STATEMENT.

    The University and [     ] have previously entered into a Research 
Agreement dated [              ] as amended ("Research Agreement"), pursuant 
to which [     ] has funded certain University research.

    Several patent applications have been filed in the name of [     ] 
covering inventions resulting from the research conducted at the University 
pursuant to the Research Agreement.

    [    ] desires to assign the rights to such patent applications to the 
University, and the University desires to be assigned the rights to such 
patent applications.

    NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants 
contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and 
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the University and [      ] 
agree as follows.

                                      AGREEMENT

    1.   DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings:

    "PATENT RIGHTS" shall mean each and every (a) patent application listed in
    Exhibit A attached hereto, together with any patents which issue from any
    such patent application, and (b) patent applications which are divisions,
    continuations, continuations-in-part, foreign counterparts, reissues,
    renewals, re-examinations, substitutions, or extensions of or to any patent
    applications or patents described in clause (a) of this sentence, together
    with patents that issue from such patent applications.

    "PATENT COSTS" shall mean the out of pocket expenses incurred by [    ] in
    connection with the preparation, filing, prosecution and maintenance of the
    patents under the Patent Rights, as documented in Exhibit B attached
    hereto.

    "START-UP COMPANY" shall mean a corporation with fewer than one hundred
    employees or less than three years of operations.

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


    "ESTABLISHED CORPORATION" shall mean a corporation with one hundred or more
    employees and at least three years of operations.

    "VECTOR" shall mean the invention described as [         ] together with 
any patents which issue from such patent application,     and patent 
applications which are divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, 
foreign counterparts, reissues, renewals, re-examinations, substitutions, 
or extensions of or to such patent application or patents, together with 
patents that issue from such patent applications.

    "[          ]" shall mean the invention described
    as [             ] and patent applications which are divisions,
    continuations, continuations-in-part,. foreign counterparts, reissues,
    renewals, re-examinations, substitutions, or extensions of or to such
    patent, together with patents that issue from such patent applications.

    2.   ASSIGNMENT AND TERMINATION. [             ] hereby assigns to the 
University all of [              ] right, title and interest in and to the 
Patent Rights, and disclaims and terminates all of right, title and interest 
in and to the Patent Rights.

    3.   CONTINGENCIES.

    (a)  If the University shall enter into a license agreement for any of 
the Patent Rights with a third party, the University shall notify [    ] of 
the name, address and contact name of the licensee under such license.

    (b)  If the University shall enter into a license agreement for any of 
the Patent Rights with a Start-Up Company, the University shall include in 
such license agreement the following conditions, one of which licensee shall 
select prior to the date of first commercial sale of Licensed Products (as 
that term shall be defined in the license agreement):

    (i) that the licensee negotiate in good faith either a marketing or a
    research collaboration agreement with [   ] with respect to such Licensed
    Products;

    (ii) that the licensee reimburse [        ] (through the University)
    for [        ] Patent Costs with respect to the specific Patent Rights
    covered by the license within ninety (90) days of licensee's first
    commercial sale of any such Licensed Products.

    (c)  If the University shall enter into a license agreement for any of the
Patent Rights with an Established Corporation, the


                                         -2-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


University shall include in such license agreement the condition that, upon
execution of the license agreement, licensee reimburse [          ] (through the
University) for [        ] Patent Costs with respect to the specific Patent
Rights covered by the license.

    (d)  If the University executes a license agreement for the Vector, the
University shall include in such agreement the requirement that upon the grant
by such licensee of a nonexclusive sublicense of the Vector (which sublicense
does not pertain to a research or development collaboration) , licensee shall
offer [       ] a sublicense on substantially the same terms.

    (e)  If the University shall enter into a license agreement with respect 
to [                             ] the University shall pay to [  ]of any 
fees or royalties that the University receives from the licensee under such 
license agreement.

    4.   BOOKS AND RECORDS.  The University shall keep accurate books and 
records of its income and receipts, and all expenses and disbursements, 
related to the Patent Rights.  [      ] shall have the right to inspect only 
the portions of such books and records which specifically relate to the 
contingencies listed in Section 3 above, at reasonable times and intervals 
and upon reasonable notice, at [        ] expense.

    5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

    (a)  [     ] hereby represents and warrants to the University as follows:

    (i)  [     ] has the full power and right to execute this Agreement, and
         this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by [       ] and
         constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of [       ]
         enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except to the
         extent that such enforceability (A) may be limited by bankruptcy,
         insolvency or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
         rights generally, and (B) as to equitable relief, is subject to the
         discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought.

    (ii) This Agreement assigns all of [        ] right, title and interest in
         the Patent Rights to the University, and terminates all of [      ]
         right to license the-Patent Rights, and, except for the interest of 
         [   ]created pursuant to this Agreement, [       ] has no other right,
         claim or interest in any of the Patent Rights.

    (iii) As of the date of this Agreement, none of the Patent Rights are
          subject to any agreements, assignments, encumbrances or restrictions;
          provided however, that


                                         -3-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


         [       ] makes no representations as to persons or entities that may
         have rights to or in the Patent Rights as inventors or arising through
         the University.

    (iv) [       ] makes no product or other warranty except as expressly
         provided in this Agreement to the University of any kind, express or
         implied, including any implied warranty of fitness for use or for a
         particular purpose or for merchantability.

    (b)  The University hereby represents and warrants to [        ] that the
University has the full power and right to execute this Agreement, and this
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the University and constitutes
the legal, valid and binding obligation of the University, enforceable against
it in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforceability
(A) may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (B) as to equitable relief, is
subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be
brought.

    6.   FURTHER ASSURANCES. [       ] agrees that, up on the written request 
of the University at any time and from time"to time, [       ] shall execute 
and deliver such other documents and take such other acts as the University 
shall reasonably request in order to effectuate, clarify or otherwise 
implement the agreements set forth in this Agreement, including without 
limitation, such documents and instruments of assignment or transfer as the 
University may deem appropriate to effectuate the assignment contemplated by 
this Agreement.

    7.   LICENSING DECISIONS.  Without prejudice to Section 3 hereof, all
decisions as to the marketing and development of the Patent Rights, including
without limitation, decisions relating to the future licensing or assignment of
the Patent Rights, shall be made by the University in its sole and absolute
discretion.

    8.   ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to 
the benefit of the successors or assigns of the University and [        ] as 
the case may be.  [         ] acknowledges that the University shall have the 
right to assign all of the Patent Rights, and all of its rights and 
obligations under this Agreement, to ARCH Development Corporation ("ARCH"), 
an affiliate controlled by the University, in which event all such rights and 
obligations shall be rights and obligations of ARCH, and [               ] 
shall look to ARCH, and not the University, for the performance thereof.

    9.   TERM.  This Agreement shall be in effect until the last expiration
date of any of the Patent Rights provided that the University's obligations to
make the payments described in


                                         -4-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


Section 3 hereof shall terminate as to any particular Patent Right(s) at such
time as such Patent Right(s) shall expire.

    10.  NONDISCLOSURE AND NON-USE.  [       ] agrees not to publish or 
disclose any information to any third persons about the Patent Rights, or any 
rights relating thereto, except to inform such third persons that all 
inquiries relating to such Patent Rights should be directed to ARCH. 
[        ] further agrees not to use the Patent Rights without the prior 
written consent of the University, provided that [        ] may use the 
Patent Rights for non-commercial research purposes, or pursuant to Sections 
3(b) - 3(d) of this Agreement.

    11.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted 
in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois applicable to contracts 
entered into between Illinois residents to be performed solely in Illinois.

    12.  NOTICE.  Any payment, notice or other communication required or
desired to be made to either party hereunder shall be made or given to the
following address:

    If to [       ]        [



                                     ]

    If to University:        c/o ARCH Development Corporation
                             1115-25 East 58th Street
                             Chicago, Illinois 60637
                             Attention: President

    Either party may change its address for notice by notice to the other 
party in accordance with this Section 12.  All notices shall be deemed 
effective on the date received.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, [            ] and the University have caused this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

                             THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO


                             By: /s/ Fred Clifford
                                 -------------------------------------
                                  Its: Director of Special Payouts
                                       -------------------------------

                           [

                                 ]

                             By: /s/
                                 -------------------------------------
                                  Its:
                                       -------------------------------


                                         -5-

<PAGE>

                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED



                                      EXHIBIT A

[                                                                              ]


Foreign counterparts of the above applications are also included.

<PAGE>


                       CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                                      EXHIBIT B

                       TOTAL U.S. & INTERNATIONAL PATENT COSTS

[                                                                              ]

<PAGE>
                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

<PAGE>

CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT HAS
BEEN DELETED, AS NOTED BY BRACKETS, AND HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO RULE 406
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.


                               DATED 7th November 1995
                              ------------------------


                                EVANS MEDICAL LIMITED
                                         and
                                        AVIRON

                           ------------------------------
                                  MANUFACTURING AND
                                DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
                           ------------------------------



                                    Stringer Saul
                                     Marcol House
                                  293 Regent Street
                                    London W1R 7PD

<PAGE>

THIS AGREEMENT is made the 7th day of November 1995

BETWEEN

    EVANS MEDICAL LIMITED of Evans House, Regent Park,
    Kingston Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7PQ, United
    Kingdom

    (hereinafter called "Evans")

    - and -

    AVIRON a corporation incorporated in the State of
    California, located at 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame,
    California, 94010, United States of America

    (hereinafter called "Aviron")

WHEREAS

    A.   Aviron is the exclusive licensee of Michigan, the legal and beneficial
         owner, of all the commercial rights to the Master Strain and the
         rights to the technology associated with and required for the
         production of the Virus Seed from the Master Strain.

    B.   Evans has experience in the production of influenza vaccines.

    C.   The parties wish to enter arrangements with regard to the Development
         and thereafter the manufacture by Evans of the Vaccine.

IT IS AGREED as follows:

DEFINITIONS

In this Agreement the following words and phrases shall have the
following meanings:-

"Approved          named senior personnel of Aviron (who
Personnel"         individually shall previously have signed Evans' usual form
                   of confidentiality agreement covering such situations)
                   notified to Evans

"Change of         means in respect of either party if greater
Control"           than fifty per cent. (50%) of its assets or voting shares
                   become vested in or subject to the direction of a person,
                   firm, corporation or other instrument, other than the
                   parties in which presently vested such that there is


                                        - 1 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                   an effective change of control of that party

"Clinical          [
Trials"

                                     ] to be conducted in accordance with this
                   Agreement in respect of the Vaccine as may be necessary to
                   obtain Regulatory Approval

"Commencement      1 November 1994
Date"

"Commercial        production of the Vaccine for all purposes other
Production"        than the Trials Production, and whether or not as a
                   consequence of Aviron obtaining the Regulatory Approval.
                   Such Commercial Production, if conducted by Evans, will be
                   conducted in a facility licensed by the relevant regulatory
                   authority for such purpose

"Early Phase III   those clinical field trials conducted by or
Trials"            on behalf of Aviron using material manufactured by Evans[
                                           ][
                                                          ]

"Development"      the development of a manufacturing process for Production of
                   the Vaccine

"Evans'            those costs incurred by Evans[
Production
Costs"                               ]

"the Further       the rights to[
Rights"

                                                                        ]

"Late Phase III    those clinical trials conducted by or on
Trials"            behalf of Aviron using materials, if Evans is the
                   manufacturer, manufactured by Evans in a facility licensed
                   by the relevant regulatory authority for the manufacture of
                   the Vaccine for commercial sale.[
                                                                 ]

"the               Evans' Manufacturing Licence No[                     ]
Manufacturing      granted pursuant to the Medicines Act 1968 permitting
Licence"           Evans to manufacture and/or assemble the Vaccine, among
                   other things

"Manufacturing     the exclusive right to carry out the manufacture of
Rights"            [                          ] the Vaccine insofar as is
                   required for the Commercial Production for Aviron or any
                   other party to whom Aviron may grant,

                                        - 2 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                   license or allow rights in respect of the Working Seed or
                   the Vaccine

"Master Strain"    live attenuated influenza vaccine seeds as are further
                   defined in the Michigan Agreement

"Michigan"         the Regents of the University of Michigan, a constitutional
                   corporation of the State of Michigan with offices located at
                   Wolverine Tower, Room 2071, 3003 South State Street, Ann
                   Arbor, Michigan, 48109-1280, USA

"Michigan          a certain Materials Transfer and Intellectual Property
Agreement"         Agreement between Aviron and Michigan dated 24 February
                   1995, attached as Schedule 4

"Price"            that amount calculated in accordance with clause 9 herein

"Production"       the Trials Production and the Commercial Production or
                   either of them, as the context requires

"Regulatory        all such marketing authorisations and/or
Approval"          product licences and any other approvals from the relevant
                   regulatory authority responsible for such matters as are
                   necessary to enable Evans to manufacture, distribute and
                   sell the Vaccine

[        ]          [                                ]

"Restricted        all technical information relating to the Master Seeds,
Information"       the Virus Seeds and the manufacture of the Vaccine disclosed
                   in confidence to Evans by Aviron excluding any such
                   information which:

                   (a)  is or was already known to Evans at the time of
                        disclosure or communication by Aviron;

                   (b)  was at the time of such disclosure or communication by
                        Aviron or thereafter becomes or became published
                        accessible to the public or otherwise in the public
                        domain other than through any breach of this Agreement
                        by Evans;

                   (c)  must be disclosed to Government Inspectors in the
                        discharge of statutory obligations provided that before
                        disclosure Evans shall use


                                        - 3 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                        reasonable endeavors as it would in respect of its own
                        restricted information to obtain from such government
                        inspectors any assurances as regards confidentiality as
                        may be afforded to such information in the
                        circumstances;

                   (d)  is disclosed by Evans to the relevant regulatory
                        authority in there course of applying for, obtaining or
                        maintaining Regulatory Approval;

                   (e)  is hereafter disclosed to Evans without any obligations
                        of confidence by a third party who has not derived it
                        directly or indirectly from Aviron;

                   (f)  is required to be disclosed by law

"the               the requirements and specifications attached hereto as
Specification"     Schedule 1, whether formulated before or after the
                   Development, as the same, may be amended from time to time by
                   agreement between the parties

"the Test"         the testing protocol[



                                                       ]

"Trials            production of the Vaccine in sufficient quantities to
Production"        enable Aviron to conduct the Clinical Trials

"Vaccine"          cold-adapted influenza vaccine[

                                                              ]

"VAT"              United Kingdom value added tax or any other tax levied in
                   substitution therefor

"Virus Seed"       [

                                                   ]

"Working Seed"     [

                                                   ]


                                        - 4 -

<PAGE>


                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                        PART I

1.       TRIALS PRODUCTION

1.1      Aviron requires the performance of the Trials Production to enable it
         to conduct the Clinical Trials.  Subject to Aviron providing
         sufficient Virus Seeds suitable for the purpose, Evans hereby agrees
         to perform the Development and thereafter the Trials Production of the
         Vaccine for Aviron at the Price and otherwise on the terms set out in
         Part II hereof.

1.2      Aviron shall notify Evans of the trial programme in accordance with
         which Aviron shall conduct the Clinical Trials.  Should the Clinical
         Trials or any of them involve any product produced or supplied by
         Evans (other than the Vaccine) Aviron shall promptly and fully notify
         Evans of the trial programme, the manner in which such Clinical Trials
         are to be conducted, and the results thereof.  [

                 ] Accordingly, in respect of the Trials Production of the
         Vaccine for any particular Influenza season[



                ]

1.3      Aviron shall keep Evans fully and regularly informed of the progress
         of the Clinical Trials.

1.4      Aviron shall inform Evans of the results of the Clinical Trials no
         later than or, where practicable, earlier than the said results are
         released or allowed to be released to any third party.

1.5      Promptly after the execution of this Agreement, and in no event later
         than 45 days thereafter, the parties will work together in good faith
         and agree upon the Specification, the Test and the required Product
         Recall Procedures.  Aviron agrees and acknowledges that Evans shall
         not be obliged to manufacture Vaccine under this Agreement in
         accordance with a specification to which it has not agreed.

2.       COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION

         It is the agreed intention of the parties that Evans shall carry out
         the Development associated with the Commercial Production.  Further,
         it is the agreed intention of the parties that Evans shall have the
         Manufacturing Rights for at least[              ] of Aviron's
         requirements of Commercial Production for Europe.  In accordance with
         that intention should Aviron intend to offer for exploitation the
         Manufacturing Rights


                                        - 5 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         it shall enter good faith negotiations with Evans with a view to Evans
         undertaking the Commercial Production in respect of at least the said
         [                     ] proportion of Aviron's requirements for such
         countries.  Should those negotiations not result within a reasonable
         time in agreement between the parties then Aviron may offer the
         Manufacturing Rights and the conduct of the Commercial Production to
         any third party[





                             ] For the avoidance of doubt it is acknowledged and
         agreed that the Manufacturing Rights are independent of the Further
         Rights.  Aviron shall[





                                                         ]

3.       MICHIGAN LICENCE

         Evans acknowledges the existence of Aviron's licence under the
         Michigan Agreement (attached hereto as Schedule 4) and acknowledges
         and accepts that Aviron may only grant to Evans such rights as Aviron
         is permitted to grant pursuant to the Michigan Agreement.  In that
         regard Evans accepts:

3.1      [

                                                         ]


3.2      Evans shall not provide any[
                                 ]Evans shall limit access to the[
                       ]supplied by Aviron to those employees reasonably
         requiring such access for the purpose of the Development and
         Production of the Vaccine, which employees are governed by Evans'
         customary confidentiality obligations.

3.3      Evans must keep confidential and must not use except as provided in
         this Agreement, the[          ]and any know-how or technical data
         related thereto for a period of ten years after termination of the
         Michigan Agreement.  The terms of this subclause 3.3 will in all
         events apply to the [        ] but shall not apply to any [
          ]know-how or technical data which:

         3.3.1     is or becomes public knowledge through no act or default of
                   Evans;


                                        - 6 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         3.3.2     was known to Evans prior to its supply or disclosure to it
                   by Aviron;

         3.3.3     is disclosed to Evans by a third party with no obligations
                   of confidentiality attached; or

         3.3.4     is required to be disclosed by law.

3.4      Aviron shall:

         3.4.1     use every reasonable effort to honour and observe its
                   obligations under the Michigan Agreement and shall not act
                   or fail to act in any way which might jeopardise or cause to
                   be terminated the Michigan Agreement; and,

         3.4.2     promptly notify Evans of any amendment to the Michigan
                   Agreement; and,

         3.4.3     make every reasonable effort to notify Evans in writing of
                   the expiry or termination of the Michigan Agreement at least
                   six weeks prior to either event.

3.5      Evans will[                                          ]to manufacture
         and store the Virus Seeds, the Working Seeds and Vaccine in accordance
         with all applicable government laws and regulations.

3.6      Aviron, on Michigan's behalf, may request from Evans at reasonable
         times and in reasonable quantities at a price equal to[

                        ]such batch samples of Vaccine as it may desire for
         non-human research purposes only, PROVIDED THAT Evans shall be under
         no obligation under this sub-clause or otherwise[



                                                       ]

3.7      Evans acknowledges Michigan's warranty disclaimer and limitation of
         liability contained in the Michigan Agreement but makes no assessment
         or admission of its validity or reasonableness.  Notwithstanding such,
         Evans will not make any statements, representations or warranties
         inconsistent with such warranty disclaimer or limitation of liability
         other than in pursuance or prosecution of its own rights and remedies.

3.8      Evans will indemnify Michigan, its fellows, officers, employees and
         agents for and against any and all claims, damages, losses and
         expenses of any nature resulting from, but not limited to, death,
         personal injury,


                                        - 7 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         illness, or property damage, arising from or in connection with:

         3.8.1     any manufacture, use or other disposition by Evans of the
                   Working Seeds or Vaccine;

         3.8.2     the direct or indirect use by any person of Working Seeds or
                   Vaccine made or used by Evans;

         3.8.3     the use, handling, storage or disposal of Working Seeds, any
                   derivatives or Vaccine by Evans; or

         3.8.4     the unauthorized and negligent use by Evans of any know-how,
                   technical data, sub-licensed to Aviron from Michigan, or
                   developed by Evans pursuant to the Development,

         where but only where such claims, damages, losses and expenses are a
         direct consequence of the negligence of Evans, its agents or
         employees.

3.9      Evans shall not use the name of Michigan in publicity or advertising
         concerning the Vaccine, the Working Seed or the Virus Seed without the
         prior written consent of Michigan, such consent not to be unreasonably
         or arbitrarily withheld nor delayed.  Reports in scientific literature
         and presentations of joint research and development work are not
         considered publicity for the purpose of this clause.

3.10     Aviron may request from Evans at reasonable times and in reasonable
         quantities, at a Price equal to[

                     ]such batch samples of Working Seed as Aviron may require
         PROVIDED THAT Evans shall be under no obligation under this sub-clause
         or otherwise to produce extra batches of Working Seed solely or
         substantially to meet such requirements.

4.       MANUFACTURING LICENCE

         Performance by Evans of Production shall at all times be conditional
         upon the maintenance of the whole, or appropriate section, of the
         Manufacturing Licence.  Evans will maintain the Manufacturing Licence
         in full force and effect throughout the term of this Agreement.
         Should for any reason other than the default or negligence of Aviron
         the Manufacturing Licence expire lapse or be revoked Evans shall
         forthwith notify Aviron of such occurrence and shall make every
         reasonable effort to restore, renew or replace the Manufacturing
         Licence.  Should within[                       ]the Manufacturing
         Licence not be restored, renewed or replaced, or if no authorisation
         to manufacture is granted to Evans in


                                        - 8 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         substitution therefor, Aviron may by written notice to Evans,
         terminate this Agreement.


5.       GRANT OF FURTHER RIGHTS

         Should Aviron intend to exploit the Further Rights, it shall keep
         Evans fully and promptly informed of its intentions in regard thereto
         and shall consider[   



                                                         ]

6.       PROCESS TECHNOLOGY

6.1      Evans acknowledges and agrees that process technology specific solely
         to the Vaccine and developed by Evans in the course of the Development
         shall be[



                                                                ]Aviron shall
         be responsible for the[


                              ] All other process technology developed by Evans
         pursuant to this Agreement shall be [





                                       ]

6.2      In respect of process technology developed by Evans pursuant to this
         Agreement which is the property of Evans,[




                                               ]

6.3      Evans shall notify Aviron should it be approached by any third party
         wishing to exploit any process technology developed by Evans pursuant
         to this Agreement which is the property of Evans in respect of[      ]
         and upon receipt of such notification, Aviron may request the parties
         enter negotiations for a licence in respect thereof prior to any
         rights being licensed exclusively to such a third party.


                                        - 9 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                       PART II

7.      PRODUCTION, ASSEMBLY, STORAGE AND QUALITY CONTROL

7.1      Evans shall perform all Production of the Vaccine in accordance with
         the Specification.  For the avoidance of doubt the Specification may
         not be amended or modified by Aviron without Evans's prior written
         agreement which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

7.2      The method of supply, storage and handling of materials, components
         and the Vaccine; the specifications for the materials, components and
         the finished products; the methods of manufacture and/or assembly of
         the Vaccine; the Quality Control and Quality Assurance methods and
         procedures to be employed for the Vaccine; and the Health and Safety
         precautions that need to be observed in the handling, storage,
         processing or quality control of the materials, components and Vaccine
         shall be as specified or referred to in the Specification.

7.3      Evans shall not deviate from such mutually agreed methods and
         procedures without prior written approval from Aviron except insofar
         as is required by the relevant regulatory authority or applicable laws
         or as is required for the maintenance of the Manufacturing Licence.
         Evans shall promptly notify Aviron of such requirements and any
         deviation in accordance therewith.

7.4      Evans shall be entitled to purchase and instal all such new or
         replacement tooling or parts as may be required exclusively for the
         Production of the Vaccine [








                                                                         ]

7.5      Should Evans and Aviron agree that it is necessary or desirable for
         the effective and efficient undertaking of the Development and the
         Production, [

                                 ] and Aviron acknowledges and


                                        - 10 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         agrees that [

                                                              ] as described in
         clause 9 herein.

7.6      Any amount payable under sub-clauses 7.4 and 7.5 herein shall be made
         in accordance with clause 9 herein.

8.       SUPPLY OF VIRUS SEED

8.1      Pursuant to the Michigan Agreement, Aviron shall acquire from Michigan
         the Master Strain which Aviron shall [

                                       ] Aviron shall supply the Virus Seed to
         Evans [

                   ] Evans warrants and undertakes that it shall [





                        ] then in that event Evans shall indemnify Aviron
         against any and all claims, damages, losses and expenses of any nature
         (excluding economic loss or loss of profits or consequential loss of
         whatever nature) arising from or in connection with Evans' failure to
         [                                              ] other than in
         accordance with its required procedures.  For the avoidance of doubt,
         should Evans have [






                                             ]

8.2      Aviron shall supply to Evans at all times throughout the existence of
         this Agreement the Virus Seed in sufficient quantities and in good
         time to enable Evans to perform [


                                  ]

8.3      Aviron shall ensure that all of the Virus Seed supplied to Evans at
         any time shall comply with in all respects [
                           ] any Regulatory Approval and all applicable rules
         and regulations regarding the same.

8.4      Evans shall have no responsibility regarding testing of the Virus Seed
         upon receiving the same from Aviron [


                                        - 11 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                              ]

8. 5     Evans shall be responsible for the importation of the Virus Seed into
         the United Kingdom and for export of the Vaccine from the United
         Kingdom to Aviron [


                                         ]

9.       THE PRICE AND OTHER PAYMENTS

9.1      The Price of the [

                     ] shall be in respect of the Trials Production either:

         9.1.1     where Evans undertakes both the Trials Production and the
                   Commercial Production an amount equal to [


                                                                        ];
                   or,

         9.1.2     where Evans undertakes the Trials Production only and [


                                  ] an amount equal to [


                                        ]; and,

         9.1.3     where Evans undertakes the Trials Production only and [     
                             ]Aviron either:

                   9.1.3.1 [

                                       ] or,

                   9.1.3.2 [




                                                 ]

                   then in addition to any amount paid or payable in accordance
                   with clause 9.1.2, an amount equal to [

                                          ] such amount payable in respect of
                   sub-clause 9.1.3.2 or sub-clause 9.1.3.2 upon [


                                        - 12 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                               ]

9.2      Evans may [
                    ] the Price shall be subject to [

              ] variation with effect from the [                        ]
         of the Commencement Date and with effect from each anniversary
         thereof.  Any Price variation [

                                                                        ]
         Any variation in the Price shall reflect actual variations in [
                                            ]

9.3      Evans will invoice Aviron for Vaccine despatched and Aviron shall pay
         the invoice not later than thirty (30) days from the date of the
         invoice.  In respect of any invoice rendered for Trials Production in
         accordance with sub-clause 9.1.1, should it transpire that the Vaccine
         should have been invoiced in accordance with sub-clause 9.1.2 then any
         payment made shall be deemed to have been a part payment in respect of
         the amount due and Evans shall invoice Aviron for the balance which
         shall be payable in accordance with this clause. In respect of any
         invoice rendered for Trials Production in accordance with sub-clause
         9.1.1, should it transpire that the Vaccine should have been invoiced
         in accordance with sub-clause 9.1.3 then any payment made shall be
         deemed to have been a part payment in respect of the amount due and
         Evans shall invoice Aviron for the balance which shall be payable
         immediately.  Where settlement of any amount payable hereunder is not
         made by the due date Evans (without prejudice to its other rights) may
         charge interest at a rate of [                ] or part thereof on the
         amount outstanding.  In the event of non-payment of any invoice or
         part thereof by Aviron, Evans (without prejudice to its other rights
         and remedies) [



                                               ]

9.4      In respect of any amount payable pursuant to sub-clauses 7.4 and 7.5
         herein and for any[




                                                      ]

9.5      Upon termination of this Agreement, Aviron shall have the option
         either: (i) to purchase from Evans, at the Price, or (ii) to direct
         Evans to destroy, in which event Evans shall nonetheless be paid the
         Price, [


                                        - 13 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                  ] are reasonable given Aviron's requirements
         for the Vaccine prior to termination together with all of Evans' [

                                      ]  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
         event of termination of this Agreement due to breach by Evans, Aviron
         shall not be obliged to pay Evans the Price, but shall instead pay [

                                        ]

9.6      Evans shall give Aviron such assistance as is reasonable to allow
         Aviron to conduct its affairs in the most advantageous manner in
         respect of VAT.  Any costs to Evans associated with such assistance
         shall be met by Aviron.

10.      SUPPLIES AND ORDERS

10.1     Evans shall use all reasonable efforts to supply the Vaccine whether
         pursuant to the Trials Production or the Commercial Production in
         accordance with the forecasts supplied by Aviron pursuant to this
         Clause.

10.2     Within [                          ] following the date of execution
         hereof the parties shall mutually agree upon a production schedule for
         the first year of the Trials Production [                 ] thereafter
         the parties shall mutually agree upon a production schedule for the
         second and third years of the Trials Production.  Thereafter, the
         parties shall mutually agree upon as necessary a production schedule
         for any remaining period prior to obtaining Regulatory Approval for
         the Vaccine.

10.3     All orders submitted by Aviron to Evans must be in writing and shall
         be accepted or rejected by Evans in a timely manner in writing, and no
         order shall be binding upon either party until such time as it has
         been accepted by Evans in accordance herewith.

10.4     Other than the Virus Seed or the syringes, which shall be supplied by
         Aviron, Evans shall provide all materials and/or components required
         for Trials Production of the Vaccine.

10.5     If the Virus Seed and/or purchase orders to be supplied by Aviron or
         on its behalf do not reach Evans by any agreed date, Evans and Aviron
         shall agree new delivery dates for the Vaccine which are commensurate
         with the actual dates of supply to Evans but subject to clause 10.7
         herein.


                                        - 14 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

10. 6    It is accepted that whilst Evans will [



                                         ]

10.7     Evans will at the request of Aviron deliver the Vaccine to Aviron at
         any address as Aviron may specify but all Prices are [


                                                                  ]
10.8     If Aviron fails to pay for any Vaccine in accordance with the
         provisions hereof within the stated periods for payment Evans, in
         addition to its rights under clause 9.3 herein, may:

         10.8.1    sell or otherwise dispose of to Michigan or its designee any
                   of the Vaccine the subject of any order made by Aviron and
                   accepted by Evans but not yet delivered; and

         10.8.2    suspend or cancel any further supplies or deliveries of the
                   Vaccine hereunder.

10.9      [
                                                                             ]
         property in and title to any batch of the Vaccine or any part thereof
         shall remain with Evans unless and until Aviron shall have paid the
         Price in full for that batch of the Vaccine.

10.10    All Vaccine will be supplied on the terms and conditions herein
         contained and in the event of any order for Vaccine being made by
         Aviron on its Standard Conditions of Purchase or being accepted by
         Evans on its Standard Conditions of Sale it is hereby agreed that any
         such Standard Conditions shall be of no effect and that the terms and
         conditions set forth in this Agreement shall prevail.

10.11    In the event that Evans is unable to deliver any Vaccine against the
         agreed delivery date for that Vaccine, Evans shall immediately advise
         Aviron to this effect, explain the reason for the delay, and agree a
         revised delivery date with Aviron.  Evans shall make every reasonable
         effort to ensure that Aviron is not unduly inconvenienced by delay in
         the delivery of the Vaccine.

10.12    Should Evans fail to deliver any Vaccine in accordance with an agreed
         order within [                 ] of an agreed delivery day then Aviron
         may give to Evans [             ] written notice requiring Evans to
         remedy its default and should Evans fail to remedy its default on or
         before the expiry of the said [                     ] period,


                                        - 15 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         Aviron may terminate this Agreement unless any failure to supply by
         Evans is due to:

         10.12.1   Aviron's failure to supply the Virus Seed;

         10.12.2 [
                                               ] or

         10.12.3 [


                                    ]

11.      INVENTORY

11.1     Evans shall submit to Aviron a statement on the status of all orders
         placed by Aviron which have not been fulfilled at that date.

11.2     At the end of a Production campaign Evans shall list and inform Aviron
         of all unused Virus Seed that has been supplied by Aviron.  By return
         Aviron may request Evans to destroy all such Virus Seed, or may
         request Evans to return them to Aviron at Aviron's expense.

12.      [                          ] TECHNOLOGY

         Upon Evans' request the parties shall enter into good faith
         negotiations with respect to Aviron granting to Evans an exclusive
         licence in respect of Aviron's [                          ] technology
         for use in Europe.  Such licence shall be on terms to be agreed but
         shall include payment by Evans of a royalty based upon [


                                    ]

13.      ACCESS BY AVIRON

         Subject to receiving reasonable prior notice from Aviron, Evans shall
         allow Approved Personnel access to that part of the Evans premises
         dedicated to the Production at any time during normal business hours
         to inspect and/or reconcile virus Seeds, Working Seeds, materials,
         components and Vaccine held at Evans premises on behalf of Aviron, and
         to audit any manufacturing and/or assembly processes (including the
         related Quality Assurance and Quality Control operations) being
         performed by Evans for Aviron under this Agreement. Evans shall
         inform Aviron of any findings of any regulatory inspection or audit
         insofar as those findings may affect the Production contemplated under
         this Agreement, together with any corrective action required and/or
         taken. Evans shall


                                        - 16 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         provide to Aviron copies of all correspondence between Evans and the
         relevant regulatory authorities with respect to such audit, subject to
         Evans' right to withhold or excise any information which Evans
         considers to be confidential or commercially sensitive.  Evans shall
         grant to Aviron access to those records in the possession of Evans
         regarding the manufacture of the Vaccine as may be necessary in
         compiling submissions to the US Food and Drug Administration ("FDA")
         or responding to any enquiries from the FDA.  [



                                                                 ]

14.      WARRANTY

14.1     Aviron shall, within a period of [
                                                           ] inform Evans of any
         failure of the Vaccine to meet the Specification.  Should Aviron fail
         to inform Evans within the said period of [
                  ] Aviron shall be deemed to have accepted the Vaccine.

14.2     Evans shall make no charge hereunder in respect of any batch where
         the failure to meet the Specification arises from any act or omission
         on its part.  Subject to the written agreement of Aviron, Evans shall
         at its expense either correct or cause to be corrected the deficiency
         in that batch of the Vaccine or if the defect cannot be corrected
         Evans shall indemnify Aviron against all reasonable costs and expenses
         of replacing the relevant batch and Evans shall destroy the batch or
         return it to Aviron (as may be agreed) for destruction.  Subject to
         either party's obligations at law to act other than in compliance with
         this provision each party shall give to the other reasonable
         assistance with any recall of the Vaccine (which shall be conducted in
         accordance with Evans' Product Recall Procedure which is attached
         hereto as Schedule 2) including provision of relevant information and
         the list of customers to whom the recall products have been supplied
         and the issue of notices, warnings and information as reasonably
         requested by the relevant party to enable that party to comply with
         its recall procedures.

14.3     If notwithstanding the above Vaccine is released for distribution and
         is subsequently found to be faulty or defective and is not in
         compliance with the Specification then Evans shall indemnify Aviron
         against all costs, claims and expenses arising directly or indirectly
         from the replacement of such vaccine and its recall for destruction
         unless the fault or defect arises from any act or omission on Aviron's
         part or was otherwise caused by the negligence of Aviron, its agents
         or [


                                        - 17 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                   ] For the avoidance of doubt the aforesaid indemnity shall
         not be operative and Evans shall not be liable thereunder should the
         Vaccine be in accordance with the Specification.

14.4     Subject to clause 14.3 Aviron shall be solely responsible for the
         recall of Vaccine sold in Aviron's livery in accordance with the
         Regulatory Approval granted to Aviron.

15.      LIABILITY FOR LOSS AND CLAIMS

15.1     Liability for third party claims against either party or any loss or
         damage suffered resulting from the supply of any Vaccine manufactured
         and/or assembled under this Agreement will be subject to the following
         provisions:

         15.1.1    Evans shall be liable for and shall indemnify Aviron [



                                                                             ]

         15.1.2    Aviron shall be liable for and shall indemnify Evans [



                                                                             ]

         15.1.3    Without prejudice to the right to be indemnified pursuant to
                   15.1.1 and 15.1.2 neither party limits liability for death
                   or personal injury arising out of that party's negligence.

15.2     Evans shall be liable for any loss of or damage to Aviron materials,
         components or Vaccine arising from Evans's negligence whilst at Evans
         premises, [

                                          ]

15.3     Other than as specified in Clause 15.2, Evans shall not be liable for
         any loss of or damage to [


                      ] In respect of all such losses or damages Aviron hereby:


                                        - 18 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         15.3.1 [
                                         ] and;
         15.3.2 [




                                                         ]

16.      CONFIDENTIALITY

16.1     Evans acknowledges that much of the Restricted Information disclosed
         to it hereunder will be deemed to be confidential information under
         the Michigan Agreement and so subject to clause 3.3.  Accordingly,
         Evans undertakes that during the period of this Agreement and for a
         period of [                                                        ]
         it will treat as confidential all Restricted Information and shall
         not disclose such information to any third party except with the prior
         written agreement of Aviron.

16.2     Evans shall be entitled to use such Restricted Information and may
         disclose such Restricted Information to its own personnel, under
         obligations of secrecy, only to the extent necessary for Evans to
         perform its obligations to Aviron under this Agreement.

16.3     In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions
         of the Michigan Agreement in respect of Restricted Information and any
         provision of this Agreement, the provisions of the Michigan Agreement
         shall prevail, but only insofar as: (a) such provision is an
         obligation of Aviron which has been assumed by Evans under this
         Agreement and, (b) the performance of this Agreement would be rendered
         impossible by the application of both of the conflicting or
         inconsistent provisions.

16.4     On the expiry or termination of this Agreement, Evans will return to
         Aviron all Restricted Information in its possession and Evans shall
         not make any further use of that information.

16.5     In this Clause references to Evans or Aviron shall be deemed to
         include any Affiliate of that party.

16.6     Aviron undertakes to keep confidential all information received by it
         directly or indirectly from Evans or obtained by it pursuant to the
         performance of this Agreement which relates in any way to Evans's
         business including but not limited to Evans's technical know-how in
         relation to the Development and to the Production of the Vaccine
         provided however that this obligation of confidentiality shall not
         apply to such information:


                                        - 19 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

         16.6.1    which is or was already known to Aviron at the time it was
                   received or obtained from Evans;

         16.6.2    which was at the time that it was received or obtained from
                   Evans by Aviron or thereafter becomes or became published,
                   accessible to the public or otherwise in the public domain
                   other than through any breach of this Agreement by Aviron;

         16.6.3    which must be disclosed to government inspectors in the
                   discharge of statutory obligations;

         16.6.4    which is hereafter disclosed to Aviron without any
                   obligations of confidence by a third party who has not
                   derived it directly or indirectly from Evans.

17.      ASSIGNMENT

17.1     [





                         ]

17.2     Notwithstanding clause 17.1 Evans may without Aviron's consent procure
         the performance of any of its obligations by any Affiliate of Evans
         but Evans shall not thereby be relieved of responsibility for the
         performance of such obligations, and the provisions of clause 17.1
         shall not apply.

17.3     [


                          ]

18.      FORCE MAJEURE

18.1     If the performance of any part of this Agreement by either party is
         prevented, hindered or delayed by any act, events, non-happenings,
         omissions or accidents beyond the control of that party (force
         majeure) then that party shall (subject to compliance with Clause
         18.2) be excused from such performance to the extent that such party
         is necessarily prevented, hindered or delayed thereby during the
         continuance of the matter constituting "force majeure" and this
         Agreement shall be deemed suspended so long as and to the extent that
         any such cause prevents, hinders or delays its performance.

18.2     The party affected by force majeure shall give notice to the other
         party as soon as practical after the matter


                                        - 20 -

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQEUSTED

         constituting force majeure has arisen or occurred giving the other
         party full particulars of the nature and extent of such matter.  The
         affected party shall additionally at its own cost and expense take all
         reasonable steps as may be necessary to overcome the force majeure and
         to minimize its effects.

18.3     If the duration of any force majeure occurrence exceeds two months the
         parties shall consult with a view to determining what steps they may
         agree to take, appropriate to the force majeure circumstances, in
         relation to this Agreement.

19.      TERM

         Performance of this Agreement shall commence from the Commencement
         Date and subject to termination in accordance with any other right of
         termination specified herein this Agreement shall continue in force
         until terminated by either party giving not less than six (6) months
         notice in writing to the other party which notice may be given at any
         time after 31 December 1996.

20.      TERMINATION

20.1     Either party may terminate this Agreement:

         20.1.1    forthwith if the other party has committed any breach of any
                   of the terms of this Agreement, and in the case of any such
                   breach which is capable of remedy has not remedied that
                   breach within [         ] of being required by written notice
                   from the other party so to do; or

         20.1.2    by [                        ] prior written notice if the
                   other party becomes bankrupt, goes into liquidation (either
                   voluntary or compulsory, unless as part of a bona fide
                   scheme of reconstruction, re-organization or amalgamation),
                   makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors
                   (whether voluntary or compulsory) or has a receiver
                   appointed for its property or imposes suffers or incurs any
                   process or occurrence having similar effect; or

         20.1.3    by[

                                 ]
                   but without prejudice to any right of either party to sue
                   for any antecedent breach of this Agreement.

20.2     This Agreement shall, unless expiring or terminating earlier in
         accordance with any other provision herein,


                                        - 21 -

<PAGE>

         terminate upon termination of the Michigan Agreement.  In such event,
         at Michigan's option as notified to Evans by Aviron, Evans shall, at
         Aviron's cost, [


                   ] Evans shall provide [





                                                      ]

20.3     Any termination of this Agreement (however occasioned) shall not
         affect any accrued rights or liabilities of either of the parties nor
         shall it affect the coming into force or the continuance in force of
         any provision hereof which is expressly intended to come into or
         continue in force on or after such termination, including (but not
         limited to) clauses 2, 3, 9, 12, 14, 15 and 16.

21.      NOTICE

         Any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given
         under this Agreement by either party shall be deemed to be
         sufficiently served if sent to the other party by pre paid airmail
         post or fax addressed to that party at the address set out in this
         Agreement or to any other address so designated in writing by that
         party.

         Any such notice shall in the case of a notice sent by post be deemed
         to have been served ten (10) days after the date on which it is
         mailed.

         In the case of a notice or communication by fax, the fax must be
         confirmed by sending a copy of the same by pre paid airmail post
         within seven (7) days, in which event the date of service shall be the
         date of transmission of the fax.

22.      MISCELLANEOUS

22.1     This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the
         laws of England.

22.2     No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or
         binding upon either party unless made in writing and signed by an
         authorized representative of that party.

22.3     Evans and Aviron represent to each other that the respective officer
         or officers of each company who have signed this Agreement are duly
         authorized to do so.

22.4     Any waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this
         Agreement shall not be considered as a waiver of


                                        - 22 -

<PAGE>

    any continued or subsequent breach of the same or any other provision
    thereof.

22.5     Nothing in this Agreement shall create, or be deemed to create, a
         partnership or the relationship of principal and agent or employer and
         employee between the parties.

22.6     This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with
         respect to the subject matter hereof, supersedes all previous
         agreements understandings or letters of intent between the parties
         with respect thereto.

22.7     If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court or other
         competent authority to be void or unenforceable in whole or part, this
         Agreement shall continue to be valid as to the other provisions
         thereof and the remainder of the affected provision.

22.8     The clause and paragraph headings in this Agreement are for ease of
         reference only and are not to be taken into account in the
         construction or interpretation of any covenant condition or proviso to
         which they refer.

22.9     Unless the context otherwise requires, references:

         22.9.1    to numbered clauses and Schedules are references to the
                   relevant clause in or Schedule to this Agreement; and

         22.9.2    in any Schedule to a numbered paragraph are references to
                   the relevant paragraph in that Schedule

22.10    Words in this Agreement importing the singular meaning, where the
         context so allows, include the plural meaning and vice versa.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and
the year first above written.


                                        - 23 -

<PAGE>

For and on behalf of
EVANS MEDICAL LIMITED

         Full Name
         and Title:          M.J. HARVEY (UK OPERATIONS DIRECTOR)
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
         Signature:          /s/ M. J. Harvey
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In the presence of:          S. R. PARISH
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         Witness's signature:/s/ S. R. Parish
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         Address:            EVANS MEDICAL
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                             CASICILL ROAD, LIVERPOOL
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         Occupation:         S. R. PARISH
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .



For and on behalf of
AVIRON

         Full Name
         and Title:          LEIGHTON READ (CEO)
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         Signature:          /s/ L. Read
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In the presence of:          Julie C. Neumann
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         Witness's signature:/s/ Julie C. Neumann
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         Address:            297 N. Bernardo Avenue
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                             Mountain View, CA  94043
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

         Occupation:         Controller
                              . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


                                        - 24 -

<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE I
                                  THE SPECIFICATION


[Not Completed in Original Document]

<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 2
                              PRODUCT RECALL PROCEDURES

<PAGE>

                                               CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

                                      SCHEDULE 2

                             ADVERSE EXPERIENCE REPORTING
                         AND PROVISION OF MEDICAL INFORMATION


1.   ADVERSE EXPERIENCE REPORTING
     [






                            ]

1.2  [










                                            ]

1.3  [



                      ]

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


2.   PROVISION OF MEDICAL INFORMATION

2.1  [





                    ]

2.2  [







                                  ]

2.3  [





                                                              ]

3.   PRODUCT COMPLAINTS

3.1  [


                    ]

<PAGE>
                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          SPONTANEOUS ADVERSE EVENT (ADE) REPORTING PROCEDURE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ADE report from e.g. medic, pharmacist, customer, regulatory authority
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOMINATED CONTACT AT DISTRIBUTOR

o Report ADE to [                                     ]

o Request written confirmation of ADE from reporter/prescribing doctor. Form 
  [     ] may be used for this purpose.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCT SAFETY, EVANS MEDICAL LTD.

o Assign central reference number to [    ].

o Acknowledge receipt and advise assigned central reference number.

o Obtain Evans Medical assessment on [                              
            ]

o In accordance with medical assessment and regulatory requirements notify 
  Regulatory authorities, (including Regulatory Authority in country of 
  origin) of ADE

o Notify the Local Regulatory Authority, as appropriate, of ADEs occurring in 
  other countries.

o Copy the Distributor on any correspondence with the Local Regulatory 
  Authority.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOMINATED CONTACT, DISTRIBUTOR

o Fax all follow-up information, clearly identified with assigned central 
  reference number, to [                  ]

o Notify [                    ] when considered no further information 
  forthcoming and case is closed.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

   

                                                                    [        ]
EVANS MEDICAL
             SUBSIDIARY OF MEDEVA PLC

                ADVERSE EXPERIENCE REPORT (MARKETED PRODUCT)


PATIENT INITIALS:            HOSPITAL NO.       -------------------------------
                 --- --- ---              ----- CENTRAL PRODUCT SAFETY USE ONLY
                                                AE No.      / / / / / / / / / /
ADVERSE EXPERIENCE:                             
                   ---------------------------- (cross ref)(company/Year/Number)

- ----------------------------------------------- Report No. --------------------
                                                Receipt Date:    /    /  
SUSPECT PRODUCT:                                              --  --  --
                -------------------------------               DD  MM  YY
                                                Initial:/ /  Follow-up: / / 
- -----------------------------------------------
                                                             Date:   /   /
                                                                  --  -- --
                                                                  DD  MM YY
                                                Validated:/ / Non-validated:/ /
                                               --------------------------------


REPORTER'S DETAILS:                             CLINICIAN'S DETAILS:
                                                  (if different)
NAME:
             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

POSITION:    ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

ADDRESS:     ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------
COUNTRY:
             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

TELEPHONE:   ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

OR/ LITERATURE: / /    REFERENCE:
                                  -------------

AE ONSET DATE:   /   /   (TIME:     24 HOUR CLOCK)   DATE AE RESOLVED:   /   /
              --  --  --       -----                                  --  --  --
              DD  MM  YY                                              DD  MM  YY

RELATIONSHIP OF PRODUCT TO AE: NONE / /         UNLIKELY / /        POSSIBLE / /

                           PROBABLE / /  HIGHLY PROBABLE / /  UNCLASSIFIABLE / /

SEVERITY OF AE                 MILD / /         MODERATE / /          SEVERE / /

AE EXPERIENCED PREVIOUSLY?      YES / /               NO / /

PLEASE RECORD DETAILS OF CURRENT AND IF APPLICABLE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE 
"MEDICAL SYNOPSIS". (INCLUDE DETAILS OF SIBLINGS' EVENTS FOR VACCINEES UNDER 5
YEARS OF AGE).

PATIENT'S DATE OF BIRTH:   /   /     SEX: / /M   / /F    WEIGHT:         (KG)
                        --  --  --                               --------
                        DD  MM  YY

OR AGE:                      PREGNANT:  YES / /  NO / /  HEIGHT:         (CM)
        ------------------                                       --------

(if under 5 yrs,           (LMP Date:   /   /   )  ETHNIC ORIGIN:
  number of siblings: ----            --  --  --                  ---------
                                      DD  MM  YY


PRODUCT DETAILS:

INDICATION:                                       BATCH No: 
           ---------------------------------                --------------------

CONDITIONS OF STORAGE: 
                       ---------------------------------------------------------

DATES OF ADMINISTRATION:  FROM:   /   /    (TIME:      24 clock)   TO:    /  /
                               --  --  --        ------                -- -- --
                               DD  MM  YY                              DD MM YY

DOSE:                           ROUTE/SITE:             FREQUENCY:
      -------------------------            ------------           -------------
(For vaccines state "Primary, 
  Booster" etc)

ACTION TAKEN ON SUSPECT DRUG?      DOSE UNCHANGED / /     DOSE DECREASED / /
                                DRUG DISCONTINUED / /     DOSE INCREASED / /


    


<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


[                                                                              ]

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED

   

                                                                  [         ]
EVANS MEDICAL
             SUBSIDIARY OF MEDEVA PLC

                ADVERSE EXPERIENCE REPORT (MARKETED PRODUCT)

                                   -------------------------------------------
                                   Date received by Subsidiary Co.:   /   /
                                                                   --  --  --
                                                                   DD  MM  YY
                                   -------------------------------------------

PATIENT INITIALS:            HOSPITAL NO.       ------------------------------
                 --- --- ---              ----  CENTRAL PRODUCT SAFETY USE ONLY
                                                AE No.      / / / / / / / / / /
ADVERSE EXPERIENCE:                            
                   ---------------------------  (cross ref)(company/Year/Number)

- ----------------------------------------------  Report No. ---------------------
                                                Receipt Date:    /    /  
SUSPECT PRODUCT:                                              --  --  --
                ------------------------------                DD  MM  YY
                                                Initial / /  Follow-up  / / 
- ----------------------------------------------
                                                Valid   / / Non-valid   / /
                                                -------------------------------


REPORTER'S DETAILS:                             CLINICIAN'S DETAILS:
                                                  (IF DIFFERENT)
NAME:
             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

POSITION:    ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

ADDRESS:     ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------
COUNTRY:
             ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

TELEPHONE:   ---------------------------------- --------------------------------

OR/ LITERATURE: / /    REFERENCE:
                                  -------------

AE ONSET DATE:   /   /   (TIME:     24 HOUR CLOCK)   DATE AE RESOLVED:   /   /
              --  --  --       -----                                  --  --  --
              DD  MM  YY                                              DD  MM  YY

RELATIONSHIP OF PRODUCT TO AE: NONE / /         UNLIKELY / /        POSSIBLE / /

                           PROBABLE / /  HIGHLY PROBABLE / /  UNCLASSIFIABLE / /

SEVERITY OF AE                 MILD / /         MODERATE / /          SEVERE / /

AE EXPERIENCED PREVIOUSLY?      YES / /               NO / /

PLEASE RECORD DETAILS OF CURRENT AND IF APPLICABLE PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE 
"MEDICAL SYNOPSIS". (INCLUDE DETAILS OF SIBLINGS' EVENTS FOR VACCINEES UNDER 5
YEARS OF AGE).

PATIENT'S DATE OF BIRTH:   /   /     SEX: / /M   / /F    WEIGHT:         (KG)
                        --  --  --                               --------
                        DD  MM  YY

OR AGE:                      PREGNANT:  YES / /  NO / /  HEIGHT:         (CM)
        ------------------                                       --------

(if under 5 yrs,            (LMP Date:   /   /   )  ETHNIC ORIGIN:
  number of siblings: ----            --  --  --                  ---------
                                     DD  MM  YY


PRODUCT DETAILS:

INDICATION:                                       BATCH No: 
           ---------------------------------                --------------------

CONDITIONS OF STORAGE: 
                       ---------------------------------------------------------

DATES OF ADMINISTRATION:  FROM:   /   /    (TIME:      24 clock)   TO:    /  /
                               --  --  --        ------                -- -- --
                               DD  MM  YY                              DD MM YY

DOSE:                           ROUTE/SITE:             FREQUENCY:
      -------------------------            ------------           -------------
(For vaccines state "Primary, 
Booster" etc)

ACTION TAKEN ON SUSPECT DRUG?      DOSE UNCHANGED / /     DOSE DECREASED / /
                                DRUG DISCONTINUED / /     DOSE INCREASED / /

    


<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                               PRODUCT RECALL PROCEDURE

                              INITIATING PRODUCT RECALL

[





                   ]

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED



                                      SCHEDULE 3
                                       THE TEST

[Not Completed in Original Document]

<PAGE>

                                                CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED


                                      SCHEDULE 4
                                  MICHIGAN AGREEMENT



[See Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed
on behalf of Aviron with the SEC                  ]


<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
   
    We  consent  to  the reference  to  our  firm under  the  captions "Selected
Financial Data" and "Experts"  and to the  use of our  report dated January  26,
1996  (except as to the  first paragraph of Note  1 and Note 10  as to which the
date is May  30, 1996), in  Amendment No.  3 to the  the Registration  Statement
(Form  S-1 No. 333-05209) and related  Prospectus of Aviron for the registration
of 3,450,000 shares of its Common Stock.
    
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
   
Palo Alto, California
July 19, 1996
    


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