UNITED THERAPEUTICS AND ORPHAN AUSTRALIA
SIGN UT-15 DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

Silver Spring, MD, January 3, 2001: United Therapeutics Corporation (Nasdaq: UTHR) and Orphan Australia Pty Ltd announced today that they entered into an exclusive strategic alliance for the distribution of UT-15 (with the pending name of Uniprost) in Australia and New Zealand. Orphan Australia is a specialty pharmaceutical company with experience in the distribution and reimbursement of medical treatments for serious medical conditions. On October 16, 2000, United Therapeutics submitted its New Drug Application to the FDA for the approval of UT-15, its subcutaneous prostacyclin therapy for the treatment of late-stage pulmonary hypertension. The agreement with Orphan Australia forms United Therapeutics sixth strategic alliance for the distribution of Uniprost outside of its two distributors in the United States.

"Orphan Australia is an ideal partner for us in Australia and New Zealand, bringing experience and excellence to the distribution of our life-saving therapy", said Gilles Cloutier, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Business Development of United Therapeutics.

"Uniprost is an important drug for Australian physicians and patients" said Alastair Young, Managing Director of Orphan Australia. "We are certain that the collaboration between Orphan Australia and United Therapeutics during and after the regulatory approval process will prove to be beneficial to patients with pulmonary hypertension. Orphan Australia provides long term, comprehensive pharmaceutical services throughout the territory, including clinical education and support, product launch and promotional activities."

"This is an important opportunity to bring a life saving therapeutic to a patient population with limited treatment options", said Rob Roscigno, Ph.D., Associate Director of Clinical and Commercial Operations of United Therapeutics. "We believe that our agreement with Orphan Australia will contribute to our mission of improving health care for these patients worldwide."

United Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on combating cardiovascular, inflammatory and infectious diseases with unique therapeutic products.

Orphan Australia is a privately owned pharmaceutical company based in Melbourne, providing niche products to Australia, New Zealand and selected South East Asian countries. Orphan Australia specializes in the development, marketing and distribution of products typically used by specialists to treat serious and/or life threatening disorders.

For Further Information Contact:

United Therapeutics, USA
Therese Fergo
Therese@unither.com
Telephone : +1 301-608-9292 (USA)

Orphan Australia
Gennaro D'Alessandro
gennaro@orphan.com.au
Telephone : (03) 9769 5744