Organon achieves milestone in Asenapine development collaboration

June 27, 2005, Oss, The Netherlands – Organon announced today the achievement of a development milestone for asenapine, a novel psychotherapeutic investigational drug for the treatment of psychotic and mood disorders, which will result in a retroactive change in the division of full phase III development costs, with Pfizer increasing its share. The agreed future revenue sharing will remain in place. The milestone relates to satisfactory results in the companies' clinical trial program.

The achievement of the milestone, of which no further specifics were disclosed, reconfirms the commitment of both companies to fully explore the clinical potential. "We are pleased to have made considerable progress in our clinical trial program and to be continuing the development of asenapine in collaboration with Pfizer. We believe this collaboration continues to provide the appropriate resources to develop asenapine and to best serve the patient population who potentially stand to benefit from this treatment", said Toon Wilderbeek, President of Organon. "Reaching this milestone is evidence of our commitment to this product." Asenapine is a novel psychotherapeutic investigational drug being developed for the treatment of psychotic and mood disorders. It has a unique neuropharmacological receptor signature that distinguishes it from current antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Early clinical results indicate that asenapine will restore balance to a patient’s life through superior relief of negative symptoms and strong control of positive symptoms in schizophrenia. Reduction of manic symptoms in bipolar disorder are also being evaluated. Current knowledge suggests asenapine to have an excellent safety profile and to be well tolerated. The phase III clinical development program is expected to be finalized by the end of 2006, with an NDA submission foreseen early 2007. Organon - with shared head offices in Roseland, New Jersey, U.S.A. and Oss, The Netherlands - creates, manufactures and markets prescription medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of independent growth and business partnerships, Organon strives to remain or become one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in each of its core therapeutic fields: reproductive medicine, psychiatry and anesthesia. Organon products are sold in over 100 countries, of which more than 60 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human health care business unit of Akzo Nobel. Additional information about Organon is available through its corporate website, www.organon.com. - - -