PRESS RELEASE

 

BurnsAdler Licenses Anti-Epileptic Portfolio

from Desitin Arzneimittel GmbH

Charlotte, North Carolina (March 5, 2004) – BurnsAdler announced today that it has licensed three anti-epileptic products from Desitin Arzneimittel GmbH (“Desitin”) for promotion in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean markets.  The lead product is Apydan™ a twice daily oxcarbazepine tablet.  In the United States the only oxcarbazepine on the market generated sales of over $200 million in 2003.  According to IMS data, in Mexico sales of this same product were approximately $9 million or 6% of the $150 million Mexican anti-epileptic market.

Banks Bourne, President of BurnsAdler remarked, “We look forward to promoting Apydan™ as an alternative brand of oxcarbazepine in each of our key markets.  Desitin is the leader in promoting CNS products in Germany and we are pleased to be partnering together.  They have been very successful with Timox™, their oxcarbazepime brand in Europe, and we look forward to doing the same in Canada and Mexico.”

Oxcarbazepine, a 10-keto analogue of carbamazepine, is the first in a new class of high potential anti-epileptic agents. It is effective in treating partial seizures with or without secondary generalization, both in mono and add-on therapy.  Oxcarbazepine has favorable pharmacological properties, both in efficacy and safety, compared to its precursor carbamazepine. Both oxcarbazepine and its metabolite elicit anticonvulsant activity.

BurnsAdler is a specialty pharmaceutical company that in-licenses and promotes products in Europe, South America, Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean.  BurnsAdler’s portfolio currently includes products in the following fields: cardiovascular, orthopedic, anti-epileptic and hospital.

Desitin Arzneimittel GmbH is a Hamburg-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders.  Founded in 1919, Desitin has a long history of CNS pharmaceutical product innovation, and is a leading European developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of prescription pharmaceuticals for the treatment of epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease.  Desitin is the market leader for anti-epileptics in Germany.

For additional information about this news release contact Carolina Cortez at +1.704.552.8410 Ext. 225.  Find additional information about BurnsAdler at www.burnsadler.com.