NEWS Release

WEX Announces Departure of Chief Operating Officer

Date: September 19, 2005

Toronto Stock Exchange Trading Symbol: WXI
http://www.wexpharma.com
E-mail: wex@wexpharma.com

Vancouver, BC (September 19, 2005) - WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("WEX" or the "Company”) announced today the departure of Donna Shum, Chief Operating Officer, as a consequence of corporate restructuring of the Company. 

Ms. Shum was named Chief Operating Officer in the year 2000 after acting as Chief Financial Officer and holding the positions of Controller and Corporate Secretary. 

“We would like to thank Donna for her many contributions,” said Dr. Edge Wang, Interim CEO.  “We wish her all the best in her future endeavors”. 

The Company’s lead product Tectin™ is currently undergoing a Phase IIb/III clinical study in over 25 clinical centers across Canada and a Phase II study in China.

About WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc.

WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc. is dedicated to the discovery, development, manufacture and commercialization of innovative drug products to treat moderate to severe acute and chronic pain, symptom pain relief associated with addiction withdrawal from opioid abuse and medicines designed for local anaesthesia.  The Company’s principal 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.

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.