Bio-Technology General Corp. Announces Approval Of Human Growth Hormone For Turner's Syndrome In Europe.

Business & Health Editors

ISELIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2001

Bio-Technology General Corp. (NASDAQ:BTGC) today announced that The Ferring Group, BTG's licensee for Europe, has received approval from the European regulatory authorities for BTG's recombinant human growth hormone, in the treatment of Turner's syndrome.

The product is currently marketed by Ferring under the tradename Zomacton in over twenty European countries for the treatment of pituitary growth hormone deficiency in children. Europe constitutes approximately 30% of the worldwide market for human growth hormone.

Turner's syndrome is a genetic disorder in girls that occurs in approximately 1 in 2,500 live births and results in short stature and failure to develop secondary sexual characteristics. Human growth hormone is effective in promoting growth and improving final height in girls with this condition.

Sim Fass, Chairman and CEO of Bio-Technology General Corp., stated: "We are pleased to now be able to offer individuals with Turner's syndrome an alternative to other therapies. We believe that this additional indication will provide Ferring with a new opportunity to further penetrate and increase its share of the European growth hormone market."

Bio-Technology General Corp., a leading biopharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures and markets genetically engineered and other products for human health care. BTG's products are marketed in over 30 countries worldwide. Products sold in the United States are Oxandrin(R) (oxandrolone, USP), and Delatestryl(R) (testosterone enanthate), marketed directly by BTG, Mircette(TM) (oral contraceptive), marketed by Organon, Inc., and BioLon(TM) (sodium hyaluronate), marketed by Akorn, Inc. Products sold internationally are Bio-Tropin(TM) (recombinant human growth hormone), BioLon(TM) (sodium hyaluronate), Bio-Hep-B(TM) (hepatitis B vaccine), and Silkis(R) (vitamin D derivative). BTG's news releases and other information are available on the Company's website at www.btgc.com.

Statements in this news release concerning the Company's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses or other financial items; and statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters, are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in such statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, changes and delays in product development plans and schedules, customer acceptance of new products, changes in pricing or other actions by competitors, patents owned by the Company and its competitors, and general economic conditions, as well as other risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.