NOVEN ANNOUNCES ESTRADOT LAUNCHED IN GERMANY

World's Smallest ERT Patch Launched by Novartis in First Major European Market

Miami, FL, April 9, 2002 -- Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NOVN) today announced that Estradot® (17beta-estradiol), the world's smallest estrogen patch, has been launched by Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis) in Germany for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Novartis licenses Estradot from Noven in all countries outside of the U.S. and Japan.

"We are pleased to see the first major international launch of Estradot," said Robert Strauss, Noven's President, CEO & Chairman."We are hopeful that the product will enjoy the same success abroad that its sister product, Vivelle-Dot®, has experienced in the United States"

Noven developed and manufactures Estradot using its patented DOT Matrix™ transdermal technology. DOT Matrix is a new class of drug-in-adhesive transdermal patch technology that delivers a therapeutic dose of drug through a small patch area without compromising comfort or adhesion.

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a leading developer of advanced transdermal drug delivery technologies and prescription transdermal products. Together with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Noven owns a highly profitable women's health products company called Novogyne Pharmaceuticals. Noven's existing products include advanced estrogen transdermal delivery systems (including Vivelle-Dot®, licensed to Novogyne, and Estradot®, licensed to Novartis Pharma AG) and combination estrogen/progestin transdermal delivery systems (including CombiPatch®, licensed to Novogyne, and Estalis®, licensed to Novartis Pharma AG). With a range of additional products in development, including once-daily MethyPatch® for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Noven is committed to becoming the world's premier developer, manufacturer and marketer of transdermal drug delivery systems. For additional information, visit Noven's website at http://www.noven.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements related to the business of Noven that can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "hopeful" and similar words and phrases. Such statements are qualified by and subject to the risks and uncertainties specified in Noven's most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in this press release, including the risk that Estradot may not achieve the success of Vivelle-Dot or otherwise be successfully commercialized in Germany or in other markets due to regulatory issues, patient/physician preferences for other products, and uncertainty regarding Novartis' strategy for marketing Estradot together with competitive products in its portfolio.

Investor & Media Contact:
Joseph C. Jones
Vice President – Corporate Affairs
Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(305) 253-1916

 

 

Copyright ©  2002 Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All rights reserved.