Connective Therapeutics Initiates Phase II Trial in Scleroderma.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 1996--Connective Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNCT) today announced that it has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of ConXn (recombinant human relaxin H2) for the treatment of scleroderma.

The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety of administration of the product over 24 weeks, to confirm efficacy and to determine endpoints to be used in subsequent pivotal clinical studies.

The multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II trial is expected to enroll a total of 60 patients with scleroderma, a serious, life-threatening connective tissue disorder. Patients in the trial will be randomized to receive ConXn at one of two dose levels (25 5ug/kg/day or 100 5ug/kg/day) or placebo, administered over a 24-week treatment period. The study is designed to evaluate the effects of ConXn on skin softening, joint mobility, quality of life and vital organ function.

"Early data from previous studies suggest that ConXn is well-tolerated and may prove efficacious in alleviating some of the clinical symptoms experienced by scleroderma patients," said W. Scott Harkonen, M.D., senior vice president of Product Development and Operations at Connective. "In addition to initiating this trial, we intend to meet more clinical milestones by beginning additional late-stage trials with other products in our pipeline by year end."

Last month, Connective announced results from Phase I testing of ConXn in thirty diffuse, systemic scleroderma patients. The data indicated that ConXn was well-tolerated. In addition, ten of 20 patients reported improvement in disease symptoms versus only two of ten receiving placebo during global assessments performed at the end of the study.

Scleroderma is a serious connective tissue disease in which the body produces excessive collagen that encases and hardens the skin and internal organs. Diffuse systemic scleroderma affects an estimated 60,000 patients in the United States, 80 percent of whom are women. In its most severe form, the disease is fatal in 50-70 percent of cases within five years.

ConXn, a natural protein, has been shown to inhibit excessive connective tissue build-up by decreasing collagen production and enhancing collagen breakdown. In preclinical studies, ConXn demonstrated a dose-dependent ability to inhibit collagen accumulation in fibrosis models.

Connective Therapeutics, Inc., headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., is focused on the development of novel therapeutics for serious connective tissue disorders. The company has three products in development for six initial indications: gamma interferon for atopic dermatitis and keloids; relaxin for scleroderma and other fibrotic indications; and TCR peptide vaccines for rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Special Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those mentioned in Connective's prospectus dated January 31, 1996 under the heading "Risk Factors" and in Connective's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996 under the heading "Additional Factors That May Affect Future Results."

CONTACT: Connective Therapeutics

Cynthia Butitta, 415/843-2858