Exhibit 5.1


                                 [LETTERHEAD]



                                  May 11, 2001
Trimeris, Inc.
4727 University Drive
Durham, NC 27707

          Re: Trimeris, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     This opinion is furnished to you in connection with a registration
statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), filed today with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
for the registration of 1,395,609 shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value (the
"Shares"), of Trimeris, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").  The
Company originally sold the Shares pursuant to Purchase Agreements dated as of
May 7, 2001 by and among the Company and the investors listed on the signature
pages therein.  The Shares are being registered to permit the resale of such
Shares by the holders thereof from time to time after the effective date of the
Registration Statement.

     We have acted as counsel for the Company in connection with its issuance
and sale of the Shares and the preparation of the Registration Statement.  For
purposes of this opinion, we have examined and relied upon such documents,
records, certificates and other instruments as we have deemed necessary.

     This opinion is limited to the laws of the United States and the general
corporate law of Delaware.  Although we do not hold ourselves out as being
experts in the laws of Delaware, we have made an investigation of such laws to
the extent necessary to render our opinion.  Our opinion is rendered only with
respect to the laws and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are
currently in effect.

     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been
duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable.

     We hereby consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name therein and in the related
prospectus under the caption "Legal Matters."

     It is understood that this opinion is to be used only in connection with
the offer and sale of the Shares while the Registration Statement is in effect.

                                    Sincerely,

                                    Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering



                                    By:  /s/ John B. Watkins
                                         --------------------------
                                         John B. Watkins, a partner