NEWS Release

WEX RECEIVES POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE FDA

November 9, 2005

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

Vancouver, BC (November 9, 2005) - WEX Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“WEX” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has received a response from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regard to the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) section of its upcoming Investigational New Drug Application (IND) dossier for Tectin™.

The FDA indicated that they have no concerns with the CMC at this time and now the Company will move ahead with filing an IND in the US.

"I am very pleased with this response from the FDA", said Dr. Jean Bourgouin, Chief Medical Officer of the Company. "This means we can prepare our US IND filing to begin a clinical trial with moderate to severe cancer pain early next year".

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, including without limitation statements. 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.

For additional information on our products, visit us at www.wexpharma.com or call Don Evans, V.P. Corporate Communications at 604-683-8880 or 1-800-722-7549.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this News Release.