Release issued 2nd June 2004

June 2, 2004--Waltham, Mass.--Decision Resources, Inc., one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and health care issues, finds that rituximab (Biogen Idec/Genentech's Rituxan, Roche's MabThera) is the most promising emerging drug for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

"Rituximab's significant off-label usage means that physicians are already very familiar with this agent, and uptake will increase rapidly when it gains approval for chronic lymphocytic leukemia," said Clair Gricks, Ph.D., analyst at Decision Resources. "Recently published trial data show an increase in response rates when rituximab is combined with current chemotherapy regimens in both the first- and second- line settings. We expect this agent to launch for CLL in the second-line setting by 2006, and it will enjoy increasing usage in all markets, as well as significant off-label use in the first-line setting."

However, the new Pharmacor study entitled Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia also finds that, despite the wealth of positive data that already exists for rituximab, it is unlikely to be recommended by national guidelines in the European markets until large-scale, Phase III trial data are published.

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common adult leukemia in the Western world. Despite long survival duration, the majority of patients relapse, and this disease is considered incurable. Little progress has been made in improving the overall survival rate.

About Pharmacor from Decision Resources: Pharmacor is a unique family of studies that assesses a host of market-impacting factors and analyzes the commercial outlook for drugs in research and development.

About Decision Resources: Decision Resources, Inc., (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in research publications, advisory services, and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources, and master their chosen markets.

www.decisionresources.com

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