Exhibits 5.1

                                November 30, 2001

Trimeris, Inc.
3518 Westgate Drive
Suite 300
Durham, North Carolina 27707


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I refer to the registration statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") to be filed by Trimeris, Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on or about November 30, 2001 under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to the registration of an additional
750,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock of the Company, par value $0.001
per share (the "Common Stock"), by the Company pursuant to the Trimeris, Inc.
Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). As Legal Counsel and
Assistant Secretary of the Company, I have examined and am familiar with
originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, such
corporate records, certificates, public documents and other documents, and have
reviewed such questions of law, as considered necessary or appropriate for the
purposes of this opinion.

     In my examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the
legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents
submitted as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents
submitted to as certified, conformed or photostatic copies and the authenticity
of the originals of such documents. As to any facts material to the opinions
expressed herein which have not been independently established or verified, I
have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other
representations of the Company and others.

     Upon the basis of such examination, it is my opinion that:

             1. The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

             2. The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized by the
Company and the Plan, as amended, has been duly adopted and authorized by the
board of directors and the stockholders of the Company, and when (i) the
Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Act and (ii) upon payment of the consideration and
termination or lapse of any restrictions set forth in any award agreement under
the Plan, and delivery of the certificate evidencing the Shares so acquired, the
Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.



         I express no opinion herein as to the laws of any state or jurisdiction
other than the state laws of North Carolina, the Delaware General Corporation
Law and the Federal laws of the United States of America to the extent
specifically referred to herein.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving said consent, I do not admit that I am
included in the category of person whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Act or the rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                   /s/ Loryn C. Nembirkow

                                   Loryn C. Nembirkow
                                   Legal Counsel and Assistant Secretary