Aventis Pharmaceuticals Expands Virtual Detailing to Enhance Direct-to-Physician Communications.

Business Editors/Medical Writers

BRIDGEWATER, N.J.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 29, 2002

Multiple Virtual Detailing Technologies

Deployed to Extend Reach to Physicians

Aventis Pharmaceuticals, the U.S. pharmaceuticals business of Aventis Pharma AG, today announced the expansion of its virtual detailing initiative to extend direct-to-physician sales and marketing channels using the Internet.

Three new virtual detailing programs span a wide range of technologies and complement the company's current iPhysicianNet platform for real-time live interaction. The virtual detailing programs are part of Aventis' larger e-business strategy designed to assist physicians and achieve better patient outcomes through innovation and technology.

Deployed over the past three months, the virtual detailing programs use technology to target more than 50,000 physicians, including some based in hospitals and remote areas. The goal of these new virtual detailing mediums is to continue accommodating physicians' busy schedules by providing convenience and services including routing online requests to sales associates in the field.

"By using multiple virtual detailing platforms and content formats, we provide physicians with relevant information at the right time, through convenient communication channels," said Michelle Runge, vice president of North American e-business at Aventis. "As part of Aventis' overall e-detailing goal to increase the quality and effectiveness of communications with physicians, all of our virtual detailing programs are integrated with other marketing activities including in-person sales visits and sampling."

Physicians can access virtual details from their home or office computers for select brands in the Aventis portfolio. Interactive multimedia virtual details guide physicians through a time efficient learning session that lasts approximately 6 -10 minutes. Leveraging the progress from current programs, Aventis plans to continue integrating e-detailing into its sales and marketing activities including deployment of several virtual detailing programs across additional therapeutic categories.

Preliminary results from these virtual detailing programs suggest that physicians' are likely to increase prescriptions based on clinical information presented. In addition, recent data collected by Aventis reveals that an average of 70 percent of virtual details are accessed by physicians during non-office hours and up to 60 percent of physicians request samples after a virtual detailing session.

In July 2001, Aventis launched iPhysicianNet for real-time detailing and opened a cutting-edge sales call center that enables instant live interaction with Aventis sales representatives. While iPhysicianNet enables real-time video detailing sessions from 8 am to 9 pm (EST), the three new virtual detailing programs each provide 24-hour accessibility to certain product information.

About Aventis

Aventis Pharmaceuticals conducts the U.S. business of Aventis Pharma AG. With headquarters in Bridgewater, N.J., Aventis Pharmaceuticals focuses its activities on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, anti-infectives, arthritis, allergy and respiratory, diabetes, and the central nervous system.

Aventis Pharma AG is the pharmaceutical company of Aventis S.A. (NYSE:AVE). Aventis Pharma is dedicated to treating and preventing human disease through the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of innovative pharmaceutical products aimed at fulfilling unmet medical needs. The corporate headquarters of Aventis Pharma is in Frankfurt, Germany. Aventis Pharma is comprised of Aventis Pharmaceuticals; Aventis Pasteur, a world leader in vaccines, headquartered in Lyon, France; and Aventis Behring, a world leader in therapeutic proteins, headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa.

Aventis SA, a world leader in pharmaceuticals and agriculture, is headquartered in Strasbourg, France. In 2000, Aventis generated group sales of E 22.3 billion ($20.6 billion) and employed around 92,500 people. The company announced in November 2000 that it intends to focus on pharmaceuticals and plans to divest it activities in agriculture. Aventis was launched in December 1999 through the merger of Hoechst AG of Germany and Rhone-Poulenc SA of France. For more information, please visit:www.aventis.com.

To receive a copy of this release or any recent release, visit the Aventis Pharmaceuticals U.S. Web site at http://www.aventispharma-us.com or call 800/207-8049.

Statements in this news release other than historical information are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the strength of competition, the outcome of litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.