Wyeth/Genetics Institute Announces the Launch of ReFacto^® Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant)
Recombinant Therapy for Hemophilia A Now Available

ST. DAVIDS, PA, January 29, 2001 -- Wyeth/Genetics Institute announced today that ReFacto^® Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), a therapy for hemophilia A, is now available in the United States. ReFacto^® is a recombinant factor VIII product formulated without human serum albumin added to its final formulation.

ReFacto^® Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant) is indicated for the control and prevention of hemorrhagic episodes and for surgical prophylaxis in patients with hemophilia A (congenital factor VIII deficiency or classic hemophilia).

ReFacto^® is indicated for short-term routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of spontaneous bleeding episodes. The effect of regular routine prophylaxis on long-term morbidity and mortality is unknown.

ReFacto^® can be of a significant therapeutic value for treatment of hemophilia A in certain patients with inhibitors to factor VIII. In clinical studies of ReFacto^®, patients who developed inhibitors on study continued to manifest a clinical response when inhibitor titers were <10 BU/mL. When an inhibitor is present, the dosage requirement of factor VIII is variable. The dosage can be determined only by a clinical response and by monitoring of circulating factor VIII levels after treatment.

ReFacto^® does not contain von Willebrand factor and therefore is not indicated in von Willebrand's disease.

As with the intravenous administration of any protein product, common adverse reactions may include headache, fever, chills, flushing, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, or manifestations of allergic reactions. The remote possibility exists for hypersensitivity to non-human mammalian proteins.

"Wyeth/Genetics Institute is proud to provide this new treatment option for people with hemophilia A," said Dr. Philip de Vane, Vice President, Clinical Affairs and North American Medical Director, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories. "This product offers the potential to reduce the risk of viral contamination of blood-borne pathogens, a serious concern to these patients."

Background on ReFacto^®
ReFacto^® is not purified from human blood and contains no preservatives, nor are human components added to the final formulation. Some recombinant factor VIII products add human serum albumin (HSA) at two production stages: during the cell culture phase when factor VIII cells are grown, and during the product's final formulation. While HSA is utilized during the cell culture process for ReFacto^®, it is not added in the product's final formulation.

Hemophilia is a genetically inherited blood clotting disorder caused by a deficiency in specialized proteins instrumental in promoting the normal clotting process. Hemophilia A, the most common form of the disorder, is the result of a deficiency in the clotting factor protein referred to as factor VIII.

Genetics Institute, the biotechnology research unit of Wyeth-Ayerst, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is engaged in the discovery, development, and commercialization of human pharmaceuticals through recombinant DNA and other technologies. Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, a division of American Home Products Corporation (NYSE: AHP), is a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular therapies, central nervous system drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, infectious disease, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines, and generic pharmaceuticals. American Home Products Corporation (NYSE: AHP) is one of the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. It is also a leader in vaccines, biotechnology, and animal health care.

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