ALTANA Pharma Receives Approval to Market Alvesco(R) (Ciclesonide) in Canada.

BAD HOMBURG/KONSTANZ, Germany -- ALTANA AG (NYSE:AAA) (FWB:ALT) (GER:ALT) announced today that the Canadian regulatory authority Health Canada has granted marketing approval for Alvesco(R) (ciclesonide), a lung-activated inhaled corticosteroid with novel release and distribution properties. Alvesco(R) is indicated as prophylactic management of steroid-responsive bronchial asthma in patients 18 years of age and older at doses of 100 to 800mcg per day (which is equivalent to 80 to 640mcg ex-actuator). The market introduction of Alvesco(R) in Canada is being planned for the fourth quarter of 2006.

"The approval of Alvesco is an important step for ALTANA Pharma, as we can make this effective and safe treatment available for patients in Canada," said Dr. Hans-Joachim Lohrisch, Member of the Management Board of ALTANA AG and CEO of ALTANA Pharma AG.

Alvesco(R) is now approved in 39 markets worldwide and has been launched in 20 markets. Further market launches are planned this year. Alvesco(R) is an inhaled corticosteroid with novel release and distribution properties resulting in lung-targeted anti-inflammatory effects. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), considered to be the foundation of asthma treatment, work by reducing inflammation - the underlying disease process - in the lungs and airways.

Ciclesonide: A broader product platform

In addition to Alvesco(R), the ciclesonide platform also includes further products in development: a nasal spray (OMNAIR(TM)) for treating allergic rhinitis which was filed in the U.S. in 2005 and in Canada in 2006 and a fixed combination product with long-acting beta-agonist formoterol (phase II). ALTANA Pharma partners with Sanofi-Aventis in the United States and with Teijin in Japan on various ciclesonide-based products.

About Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease caused by airway inflammation and results in airway constriction in response to certain stimuli. It is characterized by a variety of symptoms including wheezing, coughing and a tightening of the airways, which causes shortness of breath and can be life-threatening. According to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma.

The prevalence of asthma is increasing by approximately 50 percent every decade and worldwide deaths from asthma total more than 180,000 annually.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, i.e., current estimates or expectations of future events or future results. The forward-looking statements appearing in this press release include information on the planned market introduction of Alvesco(R) in Canada and launches in other markets. These statements are based on beliefs of ALTANA's management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to ALTANA. Many factors that ALTANA is unable to predict with accuracy could cause ALTANA's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include ALTANA's ability to develop and launch new and innovative pharmaceutical products, the level of ALTANA's investment in pharmaceuticals related R&D, decisions of the competent regulatory authorities, the sales and marketing methods used by ALTANA to distribute its pharmaceuticals and the composition of ALTANA's pharmaceuticals portfolio.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. ALTANA does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances or events that have occurred or changed after such statements have been made.

This press release is also available on the Internet at www.altana.com