FDA Approves Sculptra(TM) (Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid)

FDA Approves Sculptra(TM) (Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid) 


BERWYN, Penn., Aug. 3  /PRNewswire/ -- Dermik Laboratories, the US dermatology
arm of Aventis (NYSE:AVE), announced today that the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has approved SCULPTRA(TM) (injectable poly-L-lactic acid)
as the only product for the restoration and/or correction of the signs of
facial fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with human immunodeficiency virus.
Facial lipoatrophy is the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in
sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes.  Commercial availability of
SCULPTRA(TM) is expected in the third quarter of this year.

"We are very pleased that the FDA has recognized the need for SCULPTRA(TM) with
its expedited review and approval," said John Leone, president of Aventis
Dermatology, a global unit of Aventis.  "Now, people with human
immunodeficiency virus who suffer from the effects of facial lipoatrophy will
have a safe and effective FDA-approved treatment."

SCULPTRA(TM) is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible material that is injected
below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss.  It provides a gradual
and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds
and sunken areas.  For most people who participated in a clinical study, the
treatment results lasted for up to two years after the first treatment session.

"For years, people have tried a variety of procedures to correct sunken cheeks,
hollow eyes, indentations, and other signs of facial fat loss -- a common side
effect of anti-retroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus.  Until now,
there have been no treatments approved by the FDA specifically for this
condition," said Marcus Conant, MD, clinical professor, UCSF Medical Center. 
"SCULPTRA(TM) is a well-tolerated, breakthrough treatment that can be
administered during an outpatient office visit and offers long-lasting
results."

More than 150,000 people in over 30 countries worldwide have been treated with
SCULPTRA(TM), under the trade name NEW-FILL(TM), for a variety of facial volume
and contour deficiencies.  It was approved in Europe in 1999 to increase the
volume of depressed areas, particularly for the correction of skin depression,
including skin creases, wrinkles, folds, scars, and eye rings.  In 2004, the
product was approved in Europe for large-volume corrections of the signs of
lipoatrophy.

Because the main component in SCULPTRA(TM), poly-L-lactic acid, is a polymer
synthetically derived from natural components and is a biocompatible substance,
there is no need to test for allergic reactions.  Poly-lactic acid has been
used in surgical products for more than 20 years as a component of dissolvable
sutures and is used as a vehicle for several sustained-release injectable
medications.

SCULPTRA(TM) should not be used by those who are allergic to any ingredient of
SCULPTRA(TM).  SCULPTRA(TM) should not be injected while there is an infection
or inflammation in the treatment area.

Side effects of SCULPTRA(TM) may include the delayed appearance of small bumps
under the skin in the treated area.  Generally these bumps are not visible and
may only be noticed when pressing on the treated area.  Other side effects may
include injection-related events at the site of injection, such as bleeding,
tenderness or discomfort, redness, bruising, or swelling.

For more information, please visit http://www.sculptra.com/. Please also visit
http://www.skinhealthsolutions.com/.

About Dermik Laboratories and Dermik Aesthetics

Dermik Laboratories conducts the North American business of Aventis
Dermatology, the global dermatology unit of Aventis.  Dermik Laboratories has
nearly 60 years of experience in the development, marketing, and distribution
of innovative prescription pharmaceutical products. Dermik has created a new
division, Dermik Aesthetics, that will focus on marketing innovative, enduring,
and reliable treatments to improve appearance and well being. Dermik
Aesthetics' mission is to foster healthy-looking appearance-and in turn, a
healthy outlook for life.

About Aventis

Aventis is dedicated to treating and preventing disease by discovering and
developing innovative prescription drugs and human vaccines.  In 2003, Aventis
generated sales of EUR 16.79 billion (US $18.99), invested EUR 2.86 billion (US
$3.24) in research and development and employed approximately 69,000 people in
its core business.  Aventis corporate headquarters are in Strasbourg, France. 
The company's prescription drugs business is conducted in the U.S. by Aventis
Pharmaceuticals Inc., which is headquartered in Bridgewater, New Jersey. For
more information, please visit: http://www.aventis-us.com/.

Statements in this news release containing projections or estimates of
revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, capital structure,
or other financial items; plans and objectives relating to future operations,
products, or services; future economic performance; or assumptions underlying
or relating to any such statements, are forward-looking statements subject to
risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially depending on
factors such as the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the results of
clinical trials, the company's relative success developing and gaining market
acceptance for new products, the outcome of significant litigation, and the
effectiveness of patent protection.  Additional information regarding risks and
uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis
on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the current Annual
Report -"Document de Reference"- on file with the "Autorite des marches
financiers" in France.

Pursuant to Article 7 of the COB Regulation no. 2002-04, this press release was
transmitted to the Autorite des marches financiers before its release. 

DATASOURCE: Dermik Laboratories



CONTACT:  Corporate - Rob Partridge, [phone], or Karen Boyce,

[phone], both of Dermik Laboratories; or Media - A.J. Desjardins,

[phone], cell - [phone]; or Erin Mulvey, [phone],

cell - [phone], both of Edelman for Dermik Laboratories



Web site:  http://www.sculptra.com/

http://www.skinhealthsolutions.com/

http://www.aventis-us.com/ 

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