Source: Teva Press release
Date: 3 January 2005

Teva Announces That Azilect® (Rasagiline) Is Approved For Marketing In Israel

Jerusalem, Israel, January 3, 2005 - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA) announced today that the Israeli Ministry Of Health has issued a marketing authorization for Azilect® (rasagiline) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease both as initial monotherapy in patients with early PD and as adjunct treatment in moderate-to-advanced disease.

Following the receipt of this license, Azilect® will be launched in Israel in March 2005.

“We are extremely pleased to have received the first approval for the marketing of Azilect® here in Israel where the product originated and was developed. With additional approvals anticipated in other countries during 2005, Azilect® should become an important treatment option for patients suffering from Parkinson's disease,” said Israel Makov, President and CEO of Teva.

About Azilect®
Azilect® is a novel, potent, second-generation, selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase type-B (MAO-B) inhibitor that blocks the breakdown of dopamine, a substance in the brain needed to facilitate movement.

The development of rasagiline is part of a long-term alliance for co-development in Parkinson’s disease and European marketing between Lundbeck and Teva.

Azilect® is a joint development of Teva and the Technion – Israel institute of Technology.

About Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative condition. The exact cause of PD is not known and is believed to be multifactorial involving genes, environmental factors and aging.

Symptoms include tremor, slowness of movement, stiffness, gait and posture problems. As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen, the patient is likely to experience motor complications. Eventually, the disease impairs the patient’s ability to function.

PD affects men and women equally, and an estimated four million people worldwide suffer from the disease. The disease typically occurs at a late age, affecting approx. 1% of the population over the age of 65.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, is among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies and among the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Close to 90% of Teva’s sales are in North America and Europe.





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