COLLEGEVILLE, Pa., Feb. 27, 1996 -- Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc. (NYSE: RPR) announced today that Menorest(R) (transdermal 17-beta estradiol), a new hormone replacement skin patch, has been launched in Germany. Menorest will be marketed for the treatment of symptoms associated with menopause.

Menorest is the first matrix hormone replacement therapy (HRT) patch to become available in Germany. It is designed to be comfortable, cosmetically-appealing and easy to use, incorporating innovative technology in which the adhesive functions as both the drug platform and as a means of affixing the patch to the skin. The result is a patch that is small, thin, flexible, and translucent.

Menorest will be available in Germany in different dosage strengths (37.5, 50, 75 micrograms per day), to help meet the needs of different women. Menorest delivers 17-beta estradiol into the bloodstream continuously for three to four days, allowing for blood levels of estrogen to be as close as possible to those seen in women before menopause. All of these benefits may lead to improved compliance with HRT.

Menopause normally occurs in women around the age of 50 when blood estrogen levels fall, causing unpleasant symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. About 11 million women in Germany are in the menopausal age range (45-65).

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVN) is the innovator of the matrix technology used in Menorest and is an industry leader in the development and commercialization of transdermal drug delivery systems throughout the world.

Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc. is a global pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving human health.

Notes:

1.) Menorest has received regulatory approvals in 16 countries to date. Menorest has been approved in The Netherlands (November 2, 1994), France (December 21, 1994), Finland (December 29, 1994), Sweden (February 15, 1995), Luxembourg (March 2, 1995), the United Kingdom (April 25, 1995), Australia (May 2, 1995), Denmark (June 6, 1995), South Africa (July 10, 1995), Spain (August 10, 1995), Mexico (August 16, 1995), Ireland (September 19, 1995), New Zealand (October 5, 1995), Norway (October 19, 1995), Iceland (November 3, 1995), and Germany (December 29, 1995).

2.) Regulatory approvals are pending in several other countries.

3.) The countries in which the product has been launched by RPR are the Netherlands (March 1, 1995), Sweden (March 21, 1995), Finland (April 3, 1995), Australia (November 1, 1995), the United Kingdom (November 9, 1995), France (November 13, 1995), Spain (November 20, 1995), Norway (January 2, 1996), Ireland (January 8, 1996) and Germany (February 6, 1996).

CONTACT: Jim Weiss or Bob Pearson of Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, 610-454-3872 / Rhone-Poulenc Rorer press releases available through Company News On-Call by fax, 800-758-5804, ext. 764050, or http://www.prnewswire.com (RPR NOVN)