CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Announces Launch Of Atrisorb-D; Unique GTR Barrier Membrane Incorporates Doxycycline to Reduce Bacterial Growth.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

NEWTOWN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2002

CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CGPI) today announced the launch of Atrisorb-D, the third product licensed under its agreement with Atrix Laboratories, Inc.

Atrisorb-D is a unique barrier product for use in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) procedures. It is the only GTR barrier which incorporates an antibiotic, thereby reducing the bacterial growth on the membrane after periodontal surgery, and potentially limiting the risk of post-surgical infection at the surgical site.

"Over 2 million gum surgery procedures are carried out every year in the United States, and approximately 20% of these utilize a GTR barrier" noted Brian M. Gallagher, PhD, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CollaGenex. "Infection is the number one post-surgical problem with these procedures, and, with the introduction of Atrisorb-D, the CollaGenex sales force will have another unique, state-of-the-art product alongside Atridox and Periostat to satisfy a real medical need in the periodontal market".

GTR barriers provide a physical block preventing the rapid proliferation and down-growth of epithelial tissue on the root of the tooth following periodontal surgical procedures. This facilitates regeneration of the periodontal support structures to the tooth root, resulting in better patient outcomes.

The Atrisorb family of GTR barrier products uses advanced polymer technology to produce a barrier in situ at the surgical site, which then slowly resorbs, preventing the need for a second surgical procedure for its removal.

By incorporating doxycycline into the barrier itself, Atrisorb-D delivers an antimicrobial dose of doxycycline at the surgical site during the resorption of the membrane, inhibiting bacterial growth and potentially reducing the risk for infection after the surgical procedure.

CollaGenex will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the company's fourth quarter and year-end 2001 operating and financial results. Brian M. Gallagher, Ph.D., chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Nancy C. Broadbent, chief financial officer, of CollaGenex will host the conference call.

Investors and other interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 800-450-0788 or via a live Internet broadcast on the company's website at www.collagenex.com or CCBN's website at www.streetevents.com.

CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company currently focused on providing innovative medical therapies to the dental and dermatology market. The Company's lead product, Periostat, is the first and only pharmaceutical to treat periodontal disease by inhibiting the enzymes that destroy periodontal support tissues.

Periostat is marketed to the dental community through a professional pharmaceutical sales force composed of approximately 120 sales representatives and managers.

Currently, the Company's dental sales force is also marketing Vioxx(R), a Merck & Co. drug that CollaGenex co-promotes for the treatment of acute dental pain, and Atridox(R), Atrisorb(R) and Atrisorb-D(R), Atrix Laboratories Inc.'s products for the treatment of adult periodontitis.

Research has shown that the enzyme suppression technology underlying Periostat may also be applicable to other diseases involving destruction of the body's connective tissues, including cancer metastases (Metastat) and a broad range of inflammatory diseases.

CollaGenex is developing a series of novel, proprietary compounds known as IMPACS (Inhibitors of Multiple Proteases and CytokineS) to address these applications. The Company intends to pursue further research and development of these technologies primarily through partnerships with third parties.

To receive additional information on the Company, please visit our Web site at www.collagenex.com, which is not a part of this press release.

Periostat(R), Metastat(R) and IMPACS(R) are trademarks of CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

VIOXX(R)is a trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.

Atridox(R), Atrisorb(R) and Atrisorb-D(R) are trademarks of Atrix Laboratories, Inc.

Periostat(R) and CollaGenex(R) are trademarks of CollaGenex International Limited.