Press Releases (2004)

PGA TOUR Star Steve Flesch and Dermik Laboratories Partner During Melanoma Month to Help Educate Americans About Sun Exposure & Skin Health

BERWYN, PA – May 1, 2004 – PGA TOUR golf professional Steve Flesch is teaming up with Dermik Laboratories during the month of May to remind consumers about the need for proper skin protection and forming good skin health habits. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has designated May as Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, with the first Monday in May designated as Melanoma Monday or "National Skin Self-Examination Day". Melanoma Monday kicks off a program that is designed to raise awareness about skin health and encourage Americans to begin a life long habit of regular skin self-examinations. Dermik Laboratories will be making a donation to The Skin Cancer Foundation based on Steve's performance in PGA Tour events during the month of May, with the money being used to benefit prevention initiatives and patient education. Flesch was diagnosed with actinic keratosis (AK), a pre-cancerous lesion of the skin that is the result of years of exposure to the sun, in 2002 and received treatment from his dermatologist.

"After years on the golf course, I was fortunate that my AKs were detected and treated before they led to skin cancer. My dermatologist treated me with Carac® (fluorouracil cream) Cream, 0.5% and it worked for me" said Steve Flesch, PGA Tour golfer. "Through this partnership with Dermik Laboratories, I want to encourage the local community to be proactive about their skin health and go to the dermatologist for a regular check-up. If this partnership with Dermik helps one person prevent skin cancer, it was worth all of the effort."

During the month of May, Dermik Laboratories will be making a donation to The Skin Cancer Foundation based on Steve's performance. Dermik will donate $100 for every birdie, $500 for each eagle and $10,000 for every hole-in-one Steve makes in competition during the month of May. Steve is scheduled to play in three events during May: the Wachovia Championship, the EDS Byron Nelson Championship and the Bank of America Colonial. Perry Robins, MD, President and Founder of The Skin Cancer Foundation states "golfers are at risk for actinic keratosis due to the increased exposure they receive on exposed body parts, like the face, arms and neck. I am encouraged that as a result of this awareness campaign golfers will reevaluate their sun protection habits, and begin both their own monthly self-exam as well as going to a dermatologist for an annual skin examination."

About AKs
AKs are lesions that typically occur on the face, scalp, arms, or hands. AKs begin under the skin's surface, then emerge as rough or scaly areas that feel like sandpaper to the touch. They can be pink, tan, red or the same color as skin, so they may be recognized by touch as well as by sight. People aged 50 and over who have had significant sun exposure or a history of repeated sunburns, those who freckle and burn rather than tan in the sun, and those who spend large amounts of time in the sun without sunscreen are at greatest risk for AKs.

About Carac®
Carac® (fluorouracil cream) Cream, 0.5% is a once-a-day, topical treatment for actinic keratosis of the face and anterior scalp that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Carac® provides patients with an effective AK treatment with the benefit of convenient once-daily dosing.

Carac® should not be used by women who are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or nursing. Carac® should not be used by people with the rare condition diydroopyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency. The most common side effects are skin reactions including redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of upper layer of skin), swelling and eye irritation.

About Dermik Laboratories
Carac® is marketed by Dermik Laboratories. Dermik Laboratories conducts the North American business of Aventis Dermatology, the global dermatology unit of Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dermik is dedicated to providing innovative dermatological products to satisfy the needs of health care providers and patients. Dermik has expanded its core business with a new aesthetic/cosmetic dermatology focus, and continues its strong commitment to treatments for traditional skin and nail conditions, including acne, nail fungus, pre-cancerous skin lesions, psoriasis and rosacea. Its corporate headquarters is located in Berwyn, PA. Please visit our website: www.dermik.com as well as www.skinhealthsolutions.com.

About Aventis
Aventis Pharmaceuticals conducts the U.S. prescription drug business of Aventis. With headquarters in Bridgewater, NJ, Aventis Pharmaceuticals focuses its activities on important therapeutic areas such as cardiology, oncology, anti-infectives, arthritis, allergy and respiratory, diabetes, and the central nervous system.

Statements in this news release containing projections or estimates of revenues, income, earnings per share, capital expenditures, capital structure, or other financial items; plans and objectives relating to future operations, products, or services; future economic performance; or assumptions underlying or relating to any such statements, are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending on factors such as the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the results of clinical trials, the company's relative success developing and gaining market acceptance for new products, the outcome of significant litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the current Annual Report on Form 20-F of Aventis on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the current Annual Report – "Document de Référence" – on file with the "Autorité des marchés financiers" in France.