News | February 16, 1999

Noven/Novartis Joint Venture to Co-Promote Miacalcin Nasal Spray; Novartis' Osteoporosis Nasal Spray to be Sold by

MIAMI (Feb. 16) BUSINESS WIRE -Feb. 16, 1999--Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:NOVN) announced today that Vivelle Ventures LLC, a women's health products company jointly owned by Noven and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, will join Novartis in the promotion of Miacalcin(R) Nasal Spray in the U.S. Miacalcin Nasal Spray (calcitonin-salmon), approved in the U.S. in 1995, is a Novartis product indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in women more than five years after menopause with low bone mass who refuse or cannot tolerate estrogens, or for whom estrogens are not an option. The Vivelle Ventures sales force, comprised of over 100 sales representatives, recently completed Miacalcin training and has commenced promotion of the product.

Vivelle Ventures' primary product is Vivelle(R), an estrogen transdermal delivery system developed and manufactured by Noven. Along with Vivelle, the Vivelle Ventures sales force will regularly detail Miacalcin to over 10,000 U.S. obstetricians and gynecologists.

"Miacalcin Nasal Spray is one of a range of women's health products that we expect to promote through Vivelle Ventures over the next several years," said Robert Strauss, Noven's President and Chief Executive Officer, and President of Vivelle Ventures. "The members of our sales force are now valuable sources of information on multiple women's heath products, and this should improve access to physicians and their staffs."

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., headquartered in Miami, Florida, is a leader in the development of advanced drug delivery technologies. Noven's existing products include: advanced estrogen transdermal delivery systems (Vivelle(R), licensed to Vivelle Ventures LLC, and Menorest, licensed to Rhone-Poulenc Rorer); combination estrogen/progestogen transdermal delivery systems (CombiPatch(TM) and Estalis(R), licensed to Rhone-Poulenc Rorer); and the first transmucosal patch delivery system approved by the FDA (DentiPatch(R), developed, marketed and sold by Noven). With a range of additional products in development, Noven is committed to becoming the world's premier developer, manufacturer and marketer of transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery systems.

Forward looking statements contained in this release are qualified by and subject to the risks and uncertainties specified by Noven in its most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk that the co-promotion agreement could be terminated and that other products may not be added to Vivelle Ventures.

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CONTACT: Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Miami 

           Leonard Maniscalco, Executive Director of Finance

305/253-1916

KEYWORD: FLORIDA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT Today's News On
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