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| |  Xalatan, Breakthrough Drug Against Glaucoma, Approved in UK LONDON, Dec. 20, 1996 -- Xalatan, the new drug from Pharmacia & Upjohn (NYSE: PNU), used in the management of glaucoma, has been approved by the UK authorities. The UK approval is of particular importance as it is also the reference member state for the EU with regard to licensing Xalatan in Europe. The indication that has been approved is reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension who are intolerant or insufficiently responsive to another intraocular pressure lowering medication. "This approval is an important step for Pharmacia & Upjohn as this will start the process of approval of the product across Europe. We expect to be approved in other EU countries mid 1997. Patients and doctors have asked for a simpler and effective treatment and with Xalatan the patient only have to take one drop a day in the eye," says Goran Ando, M.D., Executive Vice President, World-wide Science and Technology. Xalatan is related to a category of substances known as prostaglandins, which are found in various forms in the tissues of the human body. Xalatan offers a unique and physiologically attractive mechanism which works by effectively increasing the outflow of the aqueous humor instead of reducing its rate of production like the majority of current treatment. "Xalatan has been shown in numerous clinical trials over a period of three years to be highly effective in reducing the pressure in the eye, certainly to the same degree, if not better than, other classes of drugs," says Mr. Watson, Consulting Ophthalmic Surgeon, who was the head of the clinical trials in the UK. "These clinical trials have also confirmed that there are no systemic side effects which can be related to the drug." Glaucoma is the name of a large group of diseases which cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, often with elevated intraocular pressure. If not treated, the disease results in blindness. The disease is chronic and largely age-related. According to the World Health Organization, glaucoma is one of the most important causes of blindness in people over forty. More than seven million people worldwide are currently treated for glaucoma. Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc., is a research-based pharmaceutically focused company dedicated to helping people around the world live longer and fuller lives. The company was formed through a merger of Pharmacia AB and The Upjohn Company and began operating in November 1995. Pharmacia & Upjohn is a provider of human health care products and related businesses, and operates on a global basis. Its corporate management center is located in London, with major research and manufacturing centers in the United States, Sweden and Italy.
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