Columbia Laboratories' Announces the Publication of Interim Results for Crinone 8% in 1184 IVF Patients.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

NEW YORK--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 1, 2000

-- The Clinical Pregnancy Rate was 35.2% Which was

Slightly Higher Than the Latest Set of Results (33.64%)

These Centers Reported to SART --

Columbia Laboratories (AMEX:COB) today announced the publication in the journal Fertility and Sterility (vol. 74, no. 4, p. 836) of the interim results of an open-label, multi-center trial from 16 centers in the U.S. that had each completed research on at least 40 IVF patients by June 1, 1999. The overall clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer among Crinone users was 35.2%. The results were slightly higher than the latest set of results (33.64%) these centers reported to the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (CDC-1997), excluding Crinone study patients.

With few exceptions, comparison of clinical pregnancy rate between Crinone users in this study and historical SART figures from each individual center showed similar or improved results (+/- 5% or greater increase). Women tolerated Crinone well, and over 90% of those patients questioned preferred Crinone to their previous forms of progesterone therapy.

This data, plus the results of 5 smaller trials were presented last week in San Diego at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Annual Meeting. All but one of these studies showed the same or an improved pregnancy rate when Crinone was used.

      1. Poster 175 - LL Saucedo - Controlled Prospective Randomized
study of Crinone 8% vs. Intramuscular Progesterone (IM P) 50mg.
      Crinone 8% - (n=37) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 30%
      IM P - (n=40) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 30%

      2. Poster 350 - C Coutifaris - Retrospective Study of Crinone 8%
vs. IM progesterone 50mg.
      Crinone 8% - (n=83) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 52%
      IM P - (n=60) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 43%.

      3. Poster 363 - SC Williams - Retrospective Study of Crinone 8%
vs. IM progesterone 50mg vs. Prometrium(R)200mg three times a day.
      Crinone 8% - (n=18) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 39%
      Prometrium - (n=47) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 30%
      IM P - (n=31) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 23%.

      4. Poster 367 - M Ludwig - Randomized Prospective Study of Crinone
8% vs. Utrogest(R)(Prometrium).
      Crinone 8% - (n=73) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 24.7%
      Utrogest - (n=53) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 17%.

      5. Oral - AM Propst Prospective Randomized Study of Crinone 8% vs.
IM progesterone 50mg.
      Crinone 8% - (n=109) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 30.4%
      IM P - (n=99) Clinical Pregnancy Rate 48.5%.

"The preponderance of data demonstrates that Crinone 8% is at least as effective as IM progesterone and that it is overwhelmingly preferred by women," said William J. Bologna Chairman and CEO.

Columbia Laboratories, Inc. is a U.S.-based international pharmaceutical company dedicated to research and development of women's health care products, including those intended to treat infertility, dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, hormonal deficiencies. Columbia is also developing hormonal products for men and a buccal delivery system for peptides. Columbia's products primarily utilize the company's patented bioadhesive delivery technology.

This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the company and its management team. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, competitive economic, and regulatory factors in the pharmaceutical and health care industry, general economic conditions and other risks and uncertainties that may be detailed, from time-to-time, in Columbia's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.