Berlex Announces Restructuring of CLIMARA Co-Promotion Agreement with Forest Laboratories.

MONTVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 1999--

Berlex Laboratories, Inc. today announced an agreement with Forest Laboratories to restructure a 1995 co-promotion arrangement for Berlex's CLIMARA(R) (estradiol transdermal system). Effective October 1, 1999, Berlex will assume all of the promotional activity for CLIMARA(R). The restructuring allows both Berlex and Forest to focus marketing and sales resources on their respective business priorities. Forest continues its economic participation in CLIMARA(R) through an agreed upon royalty arrangement.

"The original co-promotion agreement was a good partnership," said Reinhard Franzen, Vice President and General Manager for Berlex Laboratories. "By working together Forest and Berlex successfully penetrated both the Ob/Gyn and primary care markets to achieve more than 40% market share and to position CLIMARA(R) as the leading transdermal estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) product in the U.S. Several recent events--expansion of the Berlex Female Healthcare sales force, the approval of the CLIMARA(R) osteoporosis prevention indication, and the launch of the 0.025 low-dose strength--will enable Berlex to continue this market share growth. CLIMARA(R) stands out from the competition, and we're confident about Berlex's ability to independently promote CLIMARA(R)."

Approved in 1994 to treat vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause, CLIMARA(R) is the first and only once-a-week transdermal ERT patch also approved for the prevention of osteoporosis. Available in four dosage strengths (0.025 mg, 0.05 mg, 0.075 mg, and 0.10 mg), CLIMARA(R) offers physicians the flexibility to individualize the dose based on the patient's needs. The 0.025 mg CLIMARA(R) patch provides the lowest effective ERT dosage available in the U.S. for prevention of osteoporosis. CLIMARA(R) is especially appropriate for women who have had a hysterectomy along with the removal of the ovaries. CLIMARA(R) provides hysterectomized women with several benefits: relief of the menopause symptoms that usually follow surgery, long-term protection against bone loss, flexible dosing strengths, and the convenience of once-a-week patch application without the need for daily pills.

Committed to developing novel therapeutics that address unmet medical needs, Berlex Laboratories, Inc. researches, develops, markets, and manufactures ethical pharmaceuticals in three strategic areas: Female Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging, and Therapeutics for life-threatening and disabling diseases. The company has extensive experience in developing and introducing hormone-related products for Female Healthcare. In addition to CLIMARA(R), Berlex also markets LEVLITE(R) (levonorgestrel 0.100 mg and ethinyl estradiol 0.020 mg tablets, USP), LEVLEN(R) (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets), and TRI-LEVLEN(R) (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets--triphasic regimen) for contraceptive use. Berlex business divisions are located in Montville and Wayne, New Jersey and in Richmond, California.

CLIMARA(R) is indicated for the treatment of vasomotor menopausal symptoms, vulval and vaginal atrophy, hypoestrogenism, and the prevention of osteoporosis. Estrogens should not be used by patients with known or suspected pregnancy, breast cancer, estrogen-dependent neoplasia, undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding, active thrombophlebitis, or thromboembolic disorders. Estrogens have been reported to increase the risk of endometrial carcinoma.

Oral contraceptives (OCs) are not appropriate for all patients, and serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of all OCs. OCs do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke.

Please visit our website: www.womenslifestages.com for full prescribing information.