Exhibit 99.1

                              N E W S   R E L E A S E

    Aphton Presented Phase III Data for Monotherapy with G17DT for Advanced
            Pancreatic Cancer Patients to Overseas Regulatory Agency

                                  March 4, 2003

          Miami, FL - Aphton Corporation (NASDAQ: APHT) - Aphton announced today
that the company has met with and presented  results of its  randomized,  double
blind,  controlled,  monotherapy,  Phase III clinical trial  conducted in Europe
with  G17DT for  patients  with  advanced  pancreatic  cancer to an  appropriate
foreign regulatory authority.

          The presentation of the most recently  completed  analysis of the data
demonstrated  an overall median  survival  benefit of 83%, with a  statistically
significant value of p. The corresponding hazard ratio (HR) was 0.65, which also
had a statistically  significant value of p. (HR of 0.65 means that at any point
in time, patients on G17DT had a 154% higher likelihood of surviving longer than
patients on the control.)  There are still  surviving,  treated  patients in the
trial.  Their standard of care could be influenced,  thereby  jeopardizing  both
their inclusion in the final  statistical  analysis and the ultimate  breadth of
the  indication  allowed in each  jurisdiction,  if additional  specifics on the
trial were provided at this time.

          Aphton  believes that the results of the trial are already  sufficient
for filing for marketing  approval in the European Union,  Canada and Australia.
Therefore,  Aphton has begun the process of gathering and compiling the data and
the  preparation  of  the  extensive  regulatory   documentation   required  for
submission  for  marketing  approval.  This  process  can be  expected  to  take
approximately five months,  but cannot be stated with certainty.  Aphton expects
it will  receive  priority  review of the  filings.  The time for review and the
granting  of  marketing  approval  in  each  jurisdiction  cannot,  however,  be
predicted by Aphton with certainty.

          Aphton   believes  that  with  these  clinical  trial  and  regulatory
developments,  it has  reached  the  decisive  turning  point  in its  corporate
development  and  in  the  pursuit  of  its  corporate  objectives.  Aphton  has
drastically  reduced its burn rate going  forward at this time and is  currently
pursuing a number of strategic funding  opportunities.  Aphton believes a number
of these  can,  if  successful,  carry it  forward  and  achieve  its  strategic
objectives.

          It is  estimated  that  approximately  88,000 new cases of  pancreatic
cancer will be diagnosed in the US and Europe this year.  The prognosis for most
of these  patients is very poor.  The great  majority of patients  has  advanced
disease at the time of  diagnosis  which is  considered  incurable,  with a very
short survival time.  Surgery,  when possible,  and chemotherapy are the primary
treatment options currently available, but have shown only very limited benefit.
Aphton believes that its anti-gastrin  targeted

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immunotherapy  approach  has the  potential  to  extend  patient  survival  time
significantly, without adding toxicity.

          Aphton Corporation is a biopharmaceutical  company developing products
using its innovative targeted immunotherapy technology for neutralizing hormones
that participate in  gastrointestinal  system and reproductive system cancer and
non-cancer diseases.

          Except for the historical  information  herein,  the matters discussed
herein  are  forward-looking  statements  that  involve  a number  or risks  and
uncertainties and are not a guarantee of future performance.  Future results may
vary significantly  based on a number of factors including,  but not limited to,
intellectual  property risks,  risks in regulatory and market  acceptance of new
products and continuing demand for same, the impact of competitive  products and
pricing,  changing economic  conditions and other risk factors that are inherent
in the drug development  process and the company's  business including those set
forth in Aphton's  most recent 10-K and other  filings with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission.  It is not  possible to predict or identify  all such risk
factors that could cause actual  results to differ from  expected or  historical
results.  The company's  actual results could differ from these  forward-looking
statements  and the company  undertakes  no  obligation  to update  publicly any
forward-looking statement, except as may be required under applicable securities
law.


Contact: Aphton Corporation; Investor Relations, J.L. Whitmore, 305-374-7338.