No Shortages in Snakebite Antivenom Anticipated for 2004 Season
Wednesday May 26, 9:30 am ET

Hospitals and Poison Centers Encouraged to Stock In Advance

MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 26, 2004--FougeraŽ Inc. announced today that the production supply of CroFab(TM) (Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab -- Ovine) should be sufficient to meet demand during the 2004 snakebite season. There were shortages in the supply of CroFab during the previous three summers. Currently, CroFab is the only widely-distributed snakebite antivenom available in the United States. Hospitals that could see one or more snakebites a year are encouraged to keep enough antivenom to treat at least one patient.

"Wide availability and stocking of antivenom is very important," said Richard C. Dart, MD, PhD, Director, Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver Health Authority and Professor of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. "Time is tissue. The longer you wait to administer antivenom, the greater the risk of complications."

In addition to the risk of death, there is significant morbidity associated with snakebites, including loss of limb, decreased mobility and tissue death or necrosis at the site of the injury. These morbidities are exacerbated by delays in treatment. Transferring patients to hospitals with a supply of antivenom or waiting for antivenom to be shipped can significantly delay treatment, which can increase tissue loss and other morbidities associated with snakebites.

"Snake venom is filled with digestive enzymes. The longer you wait to introduce the antivenom, the more destruction the enzymes can do. Every emergency room that could see a snakebite victim should have the option to at least start them on antivenom," said Dr. Sean Bush, Staff Emergency Physician and Envenomation Specialist, Loma Linda Medical University Center.

"Fougera and our production partner, Protherics, have worked extremely hard to meet the demand for antivenom. In 2003, we more than doubled our 2002 production and we anticipate that 2004 will easily outpace 2003," said David Klaum, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Fougera.

Of the estimated 45,000 snakebites each year in the United States, approximately 7,000 to 8,000 involve venomous species. Additional information about snakebites and snakebite treatments can be found at http://www.snakebitenews.com/.

About CroFab(TM)

CroFab(TM) is indicated for the management of patients with minimal or moderate North American crotalid envenomation. The term crotalid is used to describe the Crotalinae subfamily (formerly know as the Crotalidae) of venomous snakes that includes rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths/water moccasins. In October 2002, FougeraŽ assumed responsibility for the distribution of CroFab from Savage Laboratories. Both companies are divisions of Altana Inc. CroFab was developed and is manufactured by Protherics PLC. Complete prescribing information is available at http://www.fougera.com/.

About FougeraŽ

Fougera is a leading manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of multi-source topical and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals in prescription and over-the-counter dosage forms, as well as treatments for emergency/critical care.

Contact:

Corinth Group Communications

Russell LaMontagne, 212-255-5340

Source: Fougera