Patient-Friendly Angina Product to be Marketed by Horizon Pharmaceutical Corporation.

Business Editors

ROSWELL, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--December 1, 1999

Horizon Pharmaceutical(R) Corporation, a privately-held emerging pharmaceutical company announced today its agreement to market Nitrolingual(R) Spray in the United States. Horizon, which recently obtained licensing from Pohl Boskamp for a new delivery system of the product scheduled for launch in February 2000, completed arrangements with Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceutical Inc. to assume marketing and sales rights for Nitrolingual(R) Spray.

Nitrolingual(R) Spray, a lingual (absorbed by the oral mucosa) aerosol form of nitroglycerin used for the treatment and prophylaxis of angina pectoris is currently sold in the United States by Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals Inc. It is the only FDA approved nitroglycerin spray on the market. Horizon began marketing Nitrolingual(R) Spray on November 22, 1999.

Angina pectoris (chest pain due to coronary artery disease), a disease which affects more than 4 million people in the United States, is often precipitated by emotional or physical stress.

"Nitrolingual(R) Spray's unique delivery system guarantees a reliable and accurate dose of nitroglycerin. Perhaps the best benefit to patients is the convenient spray bottle. Nitrolingual(R) Spray is easier for arthritic angina patients to use than nitroglycerin tablets because it's spray bottle eliminates hard to open prescription bottles or the need to fumble with small tablets," said Connie Swanson, Director of New Products.

The extended shelf life of three years is an advantage to patients over the rapid expiration of nitroglycerin tablets. Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets expire shortly after the seal is broken and for some patients who use the medication infrequently for occasional attacks of angina, this can be a waste of money. In addition, some patients have even been known to carry nitroglycerin tablets that have lost all potency. "The superior stability of Nitrolingual(R) Spray ensures that patients will not risk taking sub-potent nitroglycerin during an anginal attack," said Allen Dollar, MD, a cardiologist in Atlanta, Georgia.

Horizon Pharmaceutical(R) Corporation is a rapidly growing pharmaceutical company focused on developing, marketing and selling differentiated prescription pharmaceuticals for the treatment of chronic diseases. Horizon currently markets ten prescription products nationwide through its national sales and marketing force. The company concentrates on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory and pain and inflammation therapeutic markets. Horizon's strategy is to acquire and in-license differentiated under-promoted, branded chronic care products and increase sales through targeted promotion and marketing.