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| |  Vectavir Launched in the U.K. as a New Treatment for Herpes Labialis LONDON, June 4, 1996 -- A new prescription treatment for herpes labialis (cold sores) was launched in the United Kingdom today by SmithKline Beecham (NYSE: SBH), the company said. Vectavir, penciclovir 1% cream, has been shown in the largest clinical trial of topical antivirals undertaken to date to significantly reduce the time to loss of lesions and loss of lesion pain. Vectavir is the first topical antiviral to show clinical benefit in both early and late treatment stages. The launch of Vectavir is timely. A recent survey of general practitioners in the United Kingdom found that patients with cold sores often present too late for effective treatment with existing agents. Physicians perceive a great need for a product which is effective for early and late stages of the development of a cold sore. "In the UK, approximately one quarter of the adult population suffers from cold sores, on average twice a year," Dr Michael Lewis, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, said. "Many clinicians are aware of the distress caused to patients by cold sores and they are aware that by the time the patient gets to them it is too late to treat with existing antiviral agents. These new data are important in that treatment can now be started at a later stage." Penciclovir is currently under review by regulatory authorities in other major countries including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. SmithKline Beecham (NYSE: SBH) -- one of the world's leading healthcare companies -- discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets pharmaceuticals, vaccines, over-the-counter medicines, and health- related consumer products, and provides healthcare services including clinical laboratory testing, disease management, and pharmaceutical benefit management.f
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