NEWS Release

WEX Announces Departure of General Manager

Vancouver, BC (May 5, 2005) - WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("WEX" or the "Company”) announced today the departure of John Olthoff, General Manager, as a consequence of corporate restructuring of the Company.  John will continue to remain as a Director of WEX.  Mr. Olthoff became a Director and was appointed the General Manager of the Company in the year 2000 bringing over 30 years of operational experience.  We thank John for his many contributions to the Company and wish him well in his future endeavors.

About WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc.

WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a company dedicated to the discovery of new therapeutic agents for the treatment of moderate to severe pain, symptom relief associated with addiction withdrawal from opioid abuse, and medicines designed for local and regional anaesthesia.  The Company’s principle business strategy is to derive drugs from naturally occurring toxins and develop proprietary products for the Global market.  The Company’s Chinese subsidiary sells generic products manufactured at its facility in China and are expanding its marketing efforts in the rest of Asia.

Forward Looking Statements

This News Release contains forward-looking statements which may not be based on historical fact. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments.