Announcing Centeon, the largest worldwide plasma protein therapies company; Millions of patients to benefit from significant R & D investment and future innovation.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 1996--In a move to create the first global plasma protein therapies company, Hoechst AG and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc. (NYSE: RPR) are announcing the formation of Centeon, a 50/50 joint venture between Hoechst and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer.

Centeon now becomes the leader in the global plasma therapeutics field.

To create this new $1.2 billion company, Hoechst has contributed all of the assets of the plasma protein division of Behringwerke AG, a Hoechst subsidiary based in Germany, and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer (RPR) has contributed all of the plasma protein-related assets of its subsidiary, Armour Pharmaceutical Company, based in the United States.

"Our strategy is clear: Centeon will invest in research and development to lead the plasma protein industry in accelerating the availability of new products from human plasma and through biotechnology," said John A. Sedor, CEO of Centeon, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. "In an industry typified by regionalized companies, Centeon will have the critical mass and market access to meet patients' needs worldwide."

"We are pleased to have created the world's leading plasma protein company," said Dr. Karl-Gerhard Seifert, Chairman of the Board of Centeon and a member of the Board of Management of Hoechst AG. "Centeon represents another significant accomplishment for Hoechst in meeting its commitment to expand the company's presence in the U.S. marketplace."

Added Michel de Rosen, a member of the Board of Centeon and President and CEO, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc., "The launch of this new company fulfills Rhone-Poulenc Rorer's stated objective to become a leader in the plasma protein area, and the joint venture achieves this goal."

Plasma protein products are used in such therapeutic categories as immune deficiencies, trauma, coagulation disorders, bone marrow transplants and neurologic disorders. Centeon provides a comprehensive range of plasma products in all of the therapeutic applications. These include antihemophilic factors, immunoglobulins, plasma substitutes, wound healing agents and inhibitor treatments. "Millions of people around the globe require plasma products. Through our increased investment in plasma protein and biotechnology research, Centeon will now have a greater capacity for innovation than Armour and Behring could separately," said Sedor.

Centeon's Strategic Vision

Centeon is focused on three critical areas: increasing R & D investment, better utilizing plasma resources, and ensuring high purity and viral safety for the company's plasma products.

Research and Development Investment

Centeon will invest in R & D at twice the current level of Armour and Behring combined, greatly enhancing the company's potential to achieve scientific breakthroughs and develop new life-saving therapies to satisfy unmet medical needs. Armour and Behring's complementary R & D strengths will allow Centeon to focus on a number of new research frontiers including: -0-

-- Blood components: Investigating modified blood components, including red blood cells and lyophilized platelets, for use in transfusion medicine.

-- rDNA technology: Developing therapeutics prepared by recombinant technology that improves the treatment of hemophilia.

-- Gene therapy: Repairing genetic defects, replacing missing genes, and using non-plasma therapies are some of the most exciting frontiers in the treatment of genetic diseases. -0-

Plasma Resources

Plasma is in limited supply worldwide. By combining the complementary product lines of Armour and Behring and the best technology from both companies, Centeon will be positioned to use existing plasma resources more efficiently. Centeon will optimize plasma usage by increasing the number of products derived from a single liter of plasma.

Commitment to Safety

Critical to the processing and production of plasma protein therapies is the issue of safety. Both Armour and Behring have pioneered innovative plasma purification and viral inactivation techniques. Centeon will provide viral safety by combining the largest and most sophisticated commercial plasma collection and tracking operation in the world, with advanced technology for viral inactivation and purification of products.

In addition to complementary R&D strengths and product lines, Armour and Behring also complement each other geographically. Armour has a strong presence in the United States, while Behring is a leader in Europe and Japan. "Strategically, this was important to us. These three markets represent more than three-fourths of the plasma protein therapies industry," said Sedor. "Also, because of the complements between Armour and Behring, Centeon is maintaining all existing operations and plans to expand at the R&D and manufacturing levels."

Centeon is a stand-alone company run by an independent management team with a Board of Directors. Centeon is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, with corporate functions in both the United States and Germany. The company will employ approximately 4,500 people worldwide and has plasma fractionation plants in the United States in Kankakee, Illinois, and in the European cities of Marburg, Germany; Strasbourg, France; Vienna, Austria; and Barcelona, Spain. -0-

Note to Editors: Photos FPS one, two of January 10, have moved

on AP Photo Express

CONTACT: Ketchum Public Relations

Kirsten Gorsuch, 212/878-4677

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Centeon

Beth Leahy, 610/878-4152