Swedish Orphan International AB, will per 2004-05-01 no longer be distributor for above mentioned products. The new distributor will be Sandoz, Novartis Sverige AB.

We would like to thank Swedish Orphan International for their excellent work with the TB-products during the last years. They have contributed with high competence within the therapeutic area and they have fulfilled their task more than satisfactory. Swedish Orphan International have not only succeeded with maintaining existing TB-products on the market, but also prepared the Nordic market for the new Fixed Dose Combinations.

One of Novartis global missions is to help treating patients in regions where diseases like malaria, leprosy and tuberculosis are common. It is very clear communicated by Mr Daniel Vasella (CEO Novartis) that Novartis will be one of the driving actors in research and development regarding these therapeutic fields.

Since Sandoz now is well established on the Western European market we feel obliged to incorporate TB-products into Novartis own business again. Therefore Sandoz will overtake the distribution of these products.

We are very grateful for the effort Swedish Orphan International have put into this business and would like to wish them all luck for their future missions.

Swedish Orphan International would like to extend its sincere thanks to our customers for the collaboration with the TB-products and wish Sandoz all the best of luck and success.

Jan-Christer Tjernström, Sandoz, Novartis Sverige AB, General Manager Nordic Area and Bo Jesper Hansen, Swedish Orphan International AB, President, CEO