Bio-Technology General Corp. Receives Two Additional U.S. Patents for Factorex Anti-Coagulant Product.

ISELIN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 1999--Bio-Technology General Corp. (NASDAQ:BTGC) announced today that it has received notice from the United States Patent and Trademark Office of the issuance of two U.S. Letters Patents, No. 5,858,970 and No. 5,863,534, relating to BTG's Factorex(tm) genetically engineered factor Xa inhibitor agent.

BTG has concluded pre-clinical studies with Factorex in animal models to evaluate its potential utility as a novel anti-coagulant. The Company intends to proceed to clinical studies with Factorex upon the completion of toxicity studies this year. The newly issued patents bring to four the number of BTG's U.S. Factorex patents, since two earlier U.S. patents relating to Factorex issued in during 1998.

Commenting on the newly issued patents, Sim Fass, President and Chief Executive Officer of BTG, stated: "Factorex has shown early promise in our pre-clinical studies, and we regard these patents and the two that issued last year as important in securing a proprietary position for the product. BTG Factorex patents have also issued in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and the expected issuance of additional Factorex patents abroad should help to further support our development program for the product."

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 product sales and diluted earnings per share for 1998 were $68.2 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.