Pharmacia & Upjohn Introduces Stimulation Test Physician Kit

Help for Children and Families Facing Growth Hormone Deficiency Testing

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KALAMAZOO, Mich., May 5, 1997 -- Pharmacia & Upjohn (NYSE: PNU) today announced the availability of the Stimulation Test Physician Kit, a comprehensive education package designed for physicians to give to pediatric patients and families undergoing a Stimulation Test, one of the diagnostic processes used to determine growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in a child.

Physicians often rely on a Stimulation Test to determine if a child's short stature is caused by the lack of human growth hormone. The tests stimulate the pituitary gland that produces human growth hormone. Children who demonstrate an inability to produce sufficient human growth hormone are candidates for GHD therapy. Currently there are about 20,000 U.S. children receiving treatment for this condition, with approximately 4,000 children each year diagnosed as candidates for GHD therapy.

Pharmacia & Upjohn markets Genotropin lyophilized powder (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection), indicated for children who have growth failure due to an inadequate secretion of endogenous growth hormone.

The Stimulation Test Physician Kit includes educational and playful materials that address specific issues throughout the diagnostic procedure for growth-related conditions -- from suspicion of growth hormone deficiency through initiation of treatment.

"Stimulation testing can be an intimidating experience for families and their children, who must often digest a lot of information," said Mary Andrews, executive director and co-founder of The MAGIC Foundation, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to the growth and overall development of children. "The availability of this kit provides physicians and their staff with tools to help educate parents while easing the child's discomfort related to the tests."

The Stimulation Test Physician Kit includes three brochures that lead parents through the step-by-step process. The first brochure -- "Learning More: A Guide to Stimulation Testing" -- is provided by doctors to parents prior to the Stimulation Test. On the day of the test, parents receive the brochure "Facts on Growth: What Every Parent Should Know." Children also receive a fun pack that include snacks, such as peanut butter crackers and juice, to replenish blood sugar after the tests are complete; a "planet earth" squeeze ball; a patient T-shirt with iron-on transfers; a lollipop; a patient activity book; and patterned bandages. For those children diagnosed with GHD, the family receives the brochure titled "The Next Step: Growth Hormone Therapy," which includes information about treatment and an explanation of the growth process.

About Stimulation Testing

A Stimulation Test begins with the administration of one or more medications to stimulate the endocrine system to produce human growth hormone. The medicine is given orally, intravenously or by injection. Blood samples are taken at different time intervals to determine the level at which the endocrine system is being stimulated. Since more than one medication may be used during the procedure, testing may last several hours or be divided over two days.

Insufficient pituitary production of growth hormone often results in a child's inability to grow at a rate, or to an eventual height, that is similar to parents or peers. A child, on average, grows about 10 inches (25.4 cm) from birth to one year, four inches (10.16 cm) the following year and then about 2.5 inches per year (6.35 cm) until puberty. Children with GHD usually show a growth pattern of less than two inches (less than 5 cm) per year from age two until puberty. The shortfall in height may not become apparent until a child's height is compared with a peer group. The diagnosis, when made, often does not occur until late childhood when marked short stature is present.

In many cases, medications such as Genotropin can effectively treat GHD by boosting the lack of natural growth hormone with a synthetic human growth hormone.

About Genotropin

Genotropin is the most prescribed growth hormone in the world, and was introduced in the U.S. in November 1995. A prescription product administered by injection, Genotropin is chemically identical to endogenous growth hormone that is found in the body of healthy children and adults.

Clinical experience in thousands of patients treated since 1987 confirms the safety and efficacy of Genotropin in treating GHD. In one clinical trial of 23 previously untreated prepubertal children, all children increased their height velocity (growth) during 12 months of daily injections. Growth increased from 4.0 plus/minus 1.1 cm/year to 10.7 plus/minus 2.3 cm/year.

Side effects with Genotropin are infrequent. They include injection site reactions, such as pain or burning, inflammation, rash, nodules or lumps, discoloration and bleeding; headaches; nausea; and hip or knee pain. Genotropin should not be used when there is any evidence of tumor activity. Caution should also be used if growth hormone is administered to children with diabetes or to children who are also taking adrenal steroids (such as cortisone and hydrocortisone).

Treatment with Genotropin, as with other growth hormone preparations, should be directed by pediatric endocrinologists or other physicians experienced in the diagnosis and management of GHD.

The MAGIC Foundation for Children's Growth is a national non-profit organization providing support and education for children and families afflicted with physical growth disorders. MAGIC promotes information about growth disorders through brochures, a quarterly newsletter, a toll-free parent line, local support groups and parent networking. Other services offered by MAGIC include information for professionals, physician referrals, children's programs and an annual national convention for families of children with growth disorders. For more information call 800-3MAGIC3, or access their Web site at http://www.nettap.com/~magic.

Pharmacia & Upjohn, a world leader in peptide hormone research, has been actively involved in developing clinical applications for growth hormone for more than 30 years. As a result, P&U was the first company in Europe to introduce human growth hormone produced by recombinant DNA technology in 1985.

Pharmacia & Upjohn is a global, innovation-driven pharmaceutical and health care company. Pharmacia & Upjohn's products, services and employees demonstrate its commitment to improve wellness and quality of life for people around the world.

CONTACT: Daniel Watts of Pharmacia & Upjohn, 616-833-6369; or Katie Loughlin of Manning, Selvage & Lee, 212-213-7034