OPKO Invests in Biotechnology Company with Novel Approach to Developing New Drugs

OPKO Health, Inc. (NYSE AMEX:OPK) has agreed to make an investment in Cocrystal Discovery, Inc., a privately held biopharmaceutical company focusing initially on the discovery and development of novel antiviral drugs for diseases for which current therapies are not adequate. The first targets are the viruses that cause the common cold and hepatitis C. While the current drug discovery effort is focused on pathogenic viruses, the Cocrystal technology can also be applied to other targets of medical importance.

"Cocrystal, founded by Nobel Laureate, Roger Kornberg, and experienced successful drug developers, Gary Wilcox and Sam Lee, is moving quickly to fill an important void in the therapeutic armamentarium,” said Dr. Phillip Frost, OPKO’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "OPKO is pleased to work with Cocrystal’s world-class scientific team to create a new key player in the world of pharmaceuticals.”

About OPKO Health, Inc.

Miami-based OPKO is a specialty healthcare company with emphasis on products for use in ophthalmology. It is developing new technologies for products of use in other areas of medicine, as well.

For more information visit the company’s website at www.opko.com.

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