RHONE POULENC RORER:INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS, INDUSTRY FIRSTS AND ACCELERATING EARNINGS OUTLOOK.

and investors today, Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc. (NYSE: RPR) announced that 1995 was a year highlighted by the approval and launch of innovative products and an accelerating earnings growth outlook. The company also made important gains in the development of key strategic franchises, such as respiratory diseases, plasma proteins and oncology. A Year of Firsts

1995 was a year when RPR achieved a number of important firsts. Taxotere(R)(docetaxel) was the first oncology drug approved by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, and Campto(R) (irinotecan), approved in France, is the first therapeutic innovation in colorectal cancer for 40 years. Furthermore, Rilutek@ (riluzole) was the first product approved anywhere in the world for the treatment of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). In addition, the first global plasma proteins company, Centeon, was established, and with the purchase of Fisons, RPR completed its first major acquisition since its formation in 1990, strengthening its position in the respiratory market.

Implementing Strategy for Future Growth

"RPR's strategy for growth is clearly based on innovation in product development, building leadership positions in targeted therapeutic areas and increasing presence in major geographic markets," said Michel de Rosen, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"RPR's innovative capability is evident in the approval of new indications for Lovenox(R)(enoxaparin sodium), the leading low molecular weight heparin; the approvals for Taxotere, which shows the highest ever reported response rates in second-line breast cancer treatment; and with Rilutek-the only drug to prolong survival in the 127 years since ALS was first described. Other compounds in the late stage of development include Synercid(R) (quinupristin/dalfupristin), a potentially important weapon in the fight against emerging bacterial resistance, for example vancomycin resistant enterococci (VREF) among others," de Rosen continued.

Tim Rothwell, President, Pharmaceutical Operations said, "We are building leading positions in five therapeutic areas where the needs, opportunities and company expertise are greatest."

"In plasma proteins RPR has formed, together with the Behringwerke division of Hoechst, the leading company worldwide. In asthma/allergy, we have built the fourth largest company in the world by acquiring Fisons, and now have the range of products, delivery devices and pipeline to meet patient needs in these fast growing areas. Our anti-infectives presence is strong outside the United States. We have a development focus on meeting the rising problem of resistant bacteria@a field where RPR can become a world leader, especially through Synercid."

"The three most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide are breast, lung and colorectal. In 1995, RPR made significant progress as Taxotere was approved and launched for breast cancer, and for non-small cell lung cancer in certain markets. Campto was launched in France to treat colorectal cancer. In thrombosis, we continued to extend both the use and the indications for out leading product Lovenox, notably in the home healthcare setting.

"Another key achievement in 1995 was to increase our presence in the largest and fastest growing markets in the world. The Centeon and Fisons transactions both enhanced our position in the United States, Japan and Germany-the three biggest markets in the world. We also increased our presence in emerging markets such as China, Brazil, and Argentina.

Accelerating Earnings Growth

"Our 14.6% sales growth in 1995 shows a company with increasing momentum," said Patrick Langlois, Chief Financial Officer.

"While our results were in line with the consensus of expectations, we have taken steps to further our performance. The outlook for 1996 and beyond is for accelerating earnings growth as we reap the benefits of new product introductions, the Fisons acquisition and reduced operating costs as a percentage of sales."

Rhone-Poulenc Rorer is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving human health. The Company had sales of $5.14 billion in 1995 and invested more than $760 million in research and development.

CONTACT: Arvind Sood, Investor Relations

610/454-3851

Guy Esnouf, Corporate Communications

[phone]

Bob Pearson, Product Communications

610/454-3872