UCB Announces European Launch Of Kentera(TM) The First European Transdermal Oxybutynin Treatment For Overactive Bladder

Brussels, April 18, 2005 - UCB, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, today confirmed that its novel oxybutynin transdermal patch for overactive bladder (OAB) is to begin its phased European launch, starting this week with Germany.

Oxybutynin is a well known and well established medication which has been prescribed in oral form for almost 30 years. The new transdermal patch is applied twice a week and its adhesiveness has been shown to be unaffected by activities such as exercising, bathing, showering and swimming.[1]

The key advantage of Kentera(TM) is that it relieves the symptoms of OAB (a frequent need to pass urine, sometimes with urinary incontinence) with fewer anticholinergic side effects - like dry mouth and constipation - frequently seen with drugs given in tablet form.[2] In a trial 65% of patients said they would prefer to use a patch for future treatment of OAB[3], a condition thought to affect as many as 17% of people over 40 years of age.[4]

According to Professor Köelbl, Klinikum des Joh. Gutenberg Universität, Mainz (Germany), "The transdermal technology delivers the drug into the bloodstream consistently and continuously, smoothing out the high peak levels of the metabolite seen after oral administration, which may be associated with undesirable effects. These undesirable effects are very important to patients as they are quite common and debilitating."

The overactive bladder market in Europe is currently estimated at over € 300 million and is expected to rise due to the continuously aging population and the ongoing identification of large numbers of untreated patients that choose to suffer in silence.

UCB and Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc of Corona, California entered into a marketing and supply agreement for the marketing of Kentera(TM) in Europe by UCB in September 2003. Watson's product, which received FDA approval in February 2003, is currently marketed in the United States as OXYTROL®.

References

1. EU Product Information (15/06/04).
2. Dmochowski RR et al. Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Transdermal Oxybutynin and Oral Tolterodine versus Placebo in Previously Treated Patients with Urge and Mixed Urinary Incontinence. Urology 2003; 62: 237-242.
3. Newman DK. Patient perceptions on new therapeutic options for the control of overactive bladder. Poster at 34th SUNA, 2003, USA.
4. Milsom I, Abrams P, Cardozo L et al. How Widespread are the Symptoms of Overactive Bladder and how are they Managed? A population-based prevalence study. BJU Int. 2001; 87: 760-766.