Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. and Aventis Pharmaceuticals Announce Record 2Q 2000 Sales of Copaxone(R
Monday July 31 5:00pm Source: PR Newswire - Partnership Builds on Success, Plans Aggressive Growth - JERUSALEM, and PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., (Nasdaq: TEVA) and Aventis Pharmaceuticals today announced record North America in-market sales of COPAXONE(R) (glatiramer acetate for infection) of $53 million in the 2nd quarter of 2000, up 60% from the comparable quarter of 1999. Total in-market sales of Copaxone were $59.4 million in the quarter. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000501/NYM197 ) In the U.S., the world's largest multiple sclerosis (MS) market, Copaxone, for the reduction of relapses in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS), continues to be the fastest growing MS drug therapy based on total prescriptions* and the only one whose growth is outpacing the MS drug market in percentage of new and total prescriptions. Early this year, Copaxone reached a major milestone when it overtook the number two position in terms of total prescriptions in the three-drug multiple sclerosis market. Teva Marion Partners (TMP) and TMP Canada are partnerships between Aventis and Teva, which were formed to market Copaxone in North America. "We are extremely pleased to see growth in our market share as neurologists gain more experience with Copaxone," said Larry Downey, president and chief executive officer of TMP. "We are excited about our momentum going forward as we look to bring additional data for Copaxone to the marketplace." Downey said the company anticipates continued strong growth based on increasing acceptance of Copaxone and continuing innovative MS patient outreach and education programs. Currently, TMP and Teva are conducting global MS research totaling approximately $70 million that will extend over a three-year period. The most common side effects reported in clinical trials of Copaxone were injection-site reactions, vasodilatation, chest pain, asthenia, infection, pain, nausea, arthralgia, anxiety, and hypertonia. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, is among the top 50 pharmaceutical companies and among the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world. Over 80% of its sales are outside Israel, mainly in North America and Europe. The company develops, manufactures and markets generic and branded pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Aventis Pharmaceuticals conducts the U.S. business of Aventis Pharma AG, the pharmaceutical company of Aventis S.A. (NYSE: AVE). Aventis Pharmaceuticals is dedicated to treating and preventing human disease through the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of innovative pharmaceutical products aimed at satisfying unmet medical needs. Aventis Pharmaceuticals focuses on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, infectious diseases, arthritis, allergies and respiratory disorders, diabetes, and central nervous system disorders. The corporate headquarters for Aventis Pharmaceuticals is in Parsippany, N.J. Aventis Pharma comprises Aventis Pharmaceuticals; Aventis Pasteur, a world leader in vaccines, with corporate headquarters in Lyon, France; and Aventis Behring, a world leader in therapeutic proteins, with corporate headquarters in King of Prussia, Pa. The corporate headquarters of Aventis Pharma is in Frankfurt, Germany. One of the world's leading life sciences companies, Aventis S.A. is focused on two core business areas: pharmaceuticals and agriculture. With global headquarters in Strasbourg, France, Aventis employs around 95,000 people in more than 120 countries. Aventis was created in December 1999 by the combination of Hoechst AG and Rhone-Poulenc, S.A.
Statements in this news release other than historical information are forward-looking statements subject to risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially, depending on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the strength of competition, the outcome of litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis and Teva on file with, and in Aventis' and Teva's reports on Form 6-K furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. To receive a copy of this release or any recent release via fax, call Aventis Pharmaceuticals' automated news fax line at 800-556-7422, or 816-966-3434. To receive prescribing information, call 800-887-8100, or visit the Aventis Pharmaceuticals U.S. Web site at http://www.copaxone.com.
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