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Finacea (Azelaic Acid Gel), Treatment For Rosacea, Set For April Launch In U.S.

BERLIN, GERMANY -- March 20, 2003 -- Schering AG, Germany (FSE: SCH, NYSE: SHR) announced today that its new dermatology product Finacea™ will be launched in the U.S. market by early April 2003. Finacea (azelaic acid gel 15%) is Schering's new topical treatment for rosacea, a dermatological disease that affects more than 13 million American adults. "The introduction of Finacea in the U.S. market is an important milestone in our strategy to globalize our Dermatology business," said Claus Zieler, Head of Dermatology at Schering AG. "We are very pleased to offer patients who suffer from rosacea a new and effective treatment option." Simultaneously, Schering announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Berlex Laboratories Inc., has entered into an agreement with the U.S. company Allergan, Inc. for the co-promotion of Schering's Finacea in the U.S. market. The co-promotion agreement calls for joint sales and marketing activities for Finacea.

Additional information

Schering received marketing approval for Finacea from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2002. It was the first new therapeutic class option to be approved in the U.S. for the treatment of rosacea in more than 10 years. Finacea is indicated for topical treatment of the inflammatory papules and pustules of mild to moderate rosacea.

Additional data on Finacea's effectiveness will be presented at the venue of the annual winter meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) in San Francisco (March 22-25, 2003).

Schering AG is a research-based pharmaceutical company. Its activities are focused on four business areas: Gynecology & Andrology, Diagnostics & Radiopharmaceuticals, Dermatology as well as Specialized Therapeutics for disabling diseases in the fields of the central nervous system, oncology and cardiovascular system. As a global player with innovative products Schering AG aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. With in-house R&D and supported by an excellent global network of external partners, Schering AG is securing a promising product pipeline. Using new ideas, Schering AG aims to make a recognized contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life: making medicine work.

This press release has been published by Corporate Communication of Schering AG, Berlin, Germany.

Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and Schering AG's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Certain factors that may cause such differences are discussed in our Form 20-F and Form 6-K reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Schering AG undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.


SOURCE Schering AG

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