UPDATE: Achillion Has Received US Patent for ACH-3102, Structurally-Related NS5A Inhibitors

Achillion Pharmaceuticals,Inc. (Nasdaq: ACHN) today announced that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office hasgranted Achillion U.S. Patent No. 8,809,313, covering composition-of-matterand method of use claims for ACH-3102 and structurally related NS5A inhibitorcompounds. ACH-3102 is Achillion's second generation Phase 2 NS5A inhibitorbeing investigated for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)infection. This patent is entitled "Substituted aliphanes, cyclophanes,heteraphanes, heterophanes, hetero-heteraphanes and metallocenes useful fortreating HCV infections," and provides a patent term which lasts until 2032."We believe that this key patent grant will provide another important anchorfor Achillion's intellectual property portfolio. With the issuance of thispatent for our differentiated NS5A inhibitor, ACH-3102, along with thepreviously granted patent for sovaprevir, our NS3/4A protease inhibitor, weare pleased to recognize the talented Achillion team that discovered and hasadvanced these compounds into Phase 2 trials evaluating their use in all-oralcombination regimens for the treatment of chronic HCV," commented MilindDeshpande, President and Chief Executive Officer of Achillion.