Savient and Teva Launch TEV-TROPIN for Pediatric Growth Hormone Defici

    Business Editors

    EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2005--Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:SVNT) and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA) have announced the U.S. launch of TEV-TROPIN(TM) (somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection), a growth hormone product for the treatment of children with short stature due to growth hormone deficiency. This product was clinically tested and FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and is manufactured by Savient using recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology.
    Teva has begun offering TEV-TROPIN(TM) to pediatric endocrinologists through its fully owned GATE Pharmaceuticals sales force. To maximize value to physicians and patients and to support optimal outcomes, Teva is providing a comprehensive patient support program known as Growth Solutions(SM), including a patient enrollment program and call center located within Teva Neuroscience, Inc. Growth Solutions(SM) utilizes world-class customer relationship management technology that is also currently being used to support Copaxone(R), Teva's successful multiple sclerosis drug, and its respective Shared Solutions(TM) patient support program. Patients can be enrolled in Growth Solutions(SM) by calling the toll-free number: (866) 838-8767.
    "We welcome any new drug that makes treatment for growth hormone deficiency more accessible for patients and their families," said Patricia Costa, Executive Director of the Human Growth Foundation. "TEV-TROPIN in concert with the Growth Solutions(SM) support program bring more choice and clarity to these families."

    About Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

    Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is engaged in developing, manufacturing, and marketing pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs in both niche and wider markets. Products marketed by Savient in the United States are Oxandrin(R) (oxandrolone, USP) and Delatestryl(R) (testosterone enanthate). The Company's subsidiary, Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Limited, develops, manufactures, and markets through its own sales force oral liquid formulations of prescription products for the UK pharmaceutical market. The Company's Israeli subsidiary, Bio-Technology General (Israel) Ltd., manufactures and markets in Israel Bio-Tropin(TM) (recombinant human growth hormone), BioLon(R) (sodium hyaluronate for ophthalmic surgery), Bio-Hep-B(R) (hepatitis B vaccine), and Arthrease(TM) (sodium hyaluronate for osteoarthritis). Products marketed by Savient's licensees are Mircette(R) (oral contraceptive), and BioLon(R) in the United States, and Bio-Tropin(TM), BioLon(R), Bio-Hep-B(R), Silkis(R) (vitamin D derivative), and recombinant human insulin, in international markets. Savient's news releases and other information are available on the Company's website at www.savientpharma.com.
    Arthrease is a trademark of DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., except in Israel, where it is owned by Bio-Technology General (Israel) Ltd., Savient's wholly owned subsidiary; Mircette is a registered trademark of Organon, Inc.; Puricase is a registered trademark of Mountain View Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Silkis is a registered trademark of Galderma S.A.

    This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report regarding the Company's strategy, expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, discovery and development of products, strategic alliances, competitive position, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "will" and other similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. In particular, the statements regarding the Company's new strategic direction and its potential effects on the Company's business are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the Company's business and the biopharmaceutical and specialty pharmaceutical industries in which the Company operates. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, delay or failure in developing Prosaptide, Puricase and other product candidates; difficulties of expanding the Company's product portfolio through in-licensing; disruption of management and costs associated with the divestiture of the Company's operations in Israel; introduction of generic competition for Oxandrin; fluctuations in buying patterns of wholesalers; potential future returns of Oxandrin or other products; difficulties in obtaining financing; potential development of alternative technologies or more effective products by competitors; reliance on third-parties to manufacture, market and distribute many of the Company's products; economic, political and other risks associated with foreign operations; risks of maintaining protection for the Company's intellectual property; risks of an adverse determination in on-going or future intellectual property litigation; and risks associated with stringent government regulation of the biopharmaceutical and specialty pharmaceutical industries. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements that the Company makes. The Company's forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments that the Company may make. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

--30--KK/ny*

CONTACT: Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Jenene Thomas, 732-565-4716 jdthomas@savientpharma.com

KEYWORD: NEW JERSEY INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL PHARMACEUTICAL MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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