Fujisawa Healthcare And SmithKline Beecham Announce U.S. Dermatology Alliance

Market Wire, 20050229

Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc. ("Fujisawa") and SmithKline Beecham ("SB") (NYSE: SBH) today announced they have entered into an agreement under which Fujisawa will co-promote SB's antiviral product Famvir(r) (famciclovir tablets) and the topical antibiotic Bactroban(r) (mupirocin cream and ointment). Under the terms of the agreement, Fujisawa will detail SB's products to dermatologists in the United States.

"Fujisawa's partnership with a well-respected market leader such as SmithKline Beecham is an indication of the firm commitment Fujisawa is making to the dermatology market," stated Kurt Lewis, senior vice president, marketing and sales at Fujisawa. "We are proud to welcome Famvir and Bactroban as important complements to our growing portfolio of high-quality dermatology products."

SB's Famvir is approved for the treatment or suppression of recurrent genital herpes and the treatment of herpes zoster. Additionally, Famvir is the first and only oral drug approved for the treatment of herpes infections in people with HIV. Bactroban cream for the treatment of secondarily infected traumatic skin lesions and Bactroban ointment for the treatment of impetigo are SB's Bactroban products that will be co-promoted through this agreement.

"SB is excited to enter into this alliance with Fujisawa. Through our team effort, SB will expand its coverage of Famvir and Bactroban in the U.S. dermatology market and create the opportunity for Fujisawa to increase its presence in the dermatology community," stated Brian Lortie, vice president and director anti-infectives business unit at SB.

Fujisawa currently markets and distributes two other dermatology products, Aristocort(r) and Cyclocort(r), which are indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestation of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses. Additionally, Fujisawa announced that the FDA recently accepted for filing Fujisawa's new drug application (NDA) for tacrolimus ointment. This NDA seeks approval of tacrolimus ointment for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. In November, Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Fujisawa Healthcare's parent company, launched tacrolimus ointment under the name Protopic(r) in Japan.

About Fujisawa and SmithKline Beecham

Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., headquartered in Deerfield, Ill., develops, manufactures, and markets proprietary pharmaceutical products in the United States and abroad. Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., is a subsidiary of Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., based in Osaka, Japan. Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., founded in 1894, is a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer and is actively developing its international operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. Additional information on Fujisawa Healthcare, Inc., and its products can be found on the Internet at www.fujisawa.com.

SB -- one of the world's leading healthcare companies -- discovers, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines and health-related consumer products. For company information, visit SmithKline Beecham on the World Wide Web at www.sb.com.