Bio-Technology General Corp. Announces Patent Allowance for Oxandrin in the Treatment of HIV Wasting.

ISELIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 1999--

Bio-Technology General Corp. (NASDAQ: BTGC) announced today that it has received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application with claims to the use of oxandrolone in the treatment of HIV Wasting Syndrome. This follows the recent issuance to BTG of U.S. Patent No. 5,872,147 with claims directed to the use of oxandrolone in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Commenting on the oxandrolone patents, Sim Fass, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BTG, stated: "This is a small part of our strategy to protect and strengthen the market position of Oxandrin. While we are gratified that prescriptions for Oxandrin continue to grow, we are convinced that there is significant as yet unrealized commercial potential for the product. We will do all that we can to reinforce our presence in the marketplace and maximize the value of Oxandrin for BTG."

BTG has been marketing Oxandrin(R) (oxandrolone, USP) in the United States since 1995. Oxandrolone is indicated for the treatment of involuntary weight loss associated with chronic infection, severe trauma, burns and unknown pathophysiology. A recent article published in the April 14, 1999 issue of JAMA, by Marc K. Hellerstein, M.D., Ph.D., et al, entitled "Resistance Exercise and Supraphysiologic Androgen Therapy in Eugonadal Men With HIV-Related Weight Loss" established that, in HIV-infected men with weight loss, a program of resistance exercise and Oxandrin resulted in significantly greater increases in lean tissue and muscle strength than resistance exercise and testosterone therapy. It also confirmed that this benefit was not affected by the use of protease inhibitor therapy.

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 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) (hyaluronic acid), marketed by BTG's licensee, Akorn, Inc. Products sold internationally are Bio-Tropin(TM) (human growth hormone) and BioLon(TM) (hyaluronic acid). BTG's revenues and diluted earnings per share for 1998 were $76.9 million, and $0.36, respectively.

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.