Almirall commemorates the 5th anniversary of Almogran, its own R&D medicine for the treatment of migraine

Over 20 million treatments with this medication are currently prescribed around the world

·Almogran is the first Spanish own R&D drug with marketing authorisation from the FDA

Barcelona, 19 December 2005.- Almogran (almotriptan), Almirall's own R&D pharmaceutical product for migraine celebrates its fifth year on the Spanish market.Over 300 people for over 8 years were involved in the development of this medicine with an investment of over 90 million euros.

Almogran represents a milestone within the pharmaceutical industry of our country as it was the first Spanish R&D drug to receive marketing authorisation from the top health authority in the United States, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, it is the first time in the history of the pharmaceutical industry that a chemical entity researched and developed in Spain has received this concession.

In 2000 Almirall launched Almogran (almotriptan, one of the latest triptans incorporated into this family of medicinal products and from the very start it was characterised as one of the best therapeutic options for the treatment of migraine due to its excellent efficacy and tolerability profile.

The triptan Almogran has the highest bioavailability on the market (70%), affording it clinical advantages that place it among the best triptans commercialised due to its rapid reduction and elimination of migraine pain with just a single tablet.Almogran also provides one of the best therapeutic responses by sustaining the patient pain-free for at least 24 hours without the need for rescue medication.

In fact, in November 2001 The Lancet published a comparative study about triptans in which Almotriptan was presented as one of the best molecules for the treatment of migraine crises. That same year Almotriptan received the Galien Award 2001 for the best drug commercialised in Spain in 2000.

The international expansion of almotriptan is oneof this molecule's notable aspects as the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) authorised the commercialisation of this drug simultaneously in 16 European countries, as well as that already received in Spain from the Health Ministry in September 2000. To date, over 200 million treatments have been performed with Almotriptan around the world. Its use is supported by 42 clinical studies carried out on over 18,000 patients.

Migraine, a debilitatingdisease

Migraine is a disease defined as intense chronic and episodic cephalea lasting from 4 to 72 hours. It is characterised by the appearance of throbbing and intense pain on one side of the head. It usually first appears in adolescence or at the beginning of adulthood and lasts up to the age of 55. It has been calculated that around 3,200,000 Spanish people, or 9% of the Spanish population, suffer from this ailment.

Migraine is characterised by its debilitating nature as the patient finds it practically impossible to go about his/her daily life and is obliged to remain in dark areas until the pain disappears.

Almirall, a leading company committed to health

Almirall is a consolidated international pharmaceutical company that researches, develops and commercialises own R&D and licensed specialities with the aim of improving health and quality of life.

The therapeutic areas on which Almirall focuses its research resources are related to the treatment of asthma, COPD, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Almirall is to invest 650 million euros in R&D over the next five years. Forecasts for total sales in 2005 amount to 946 million Euros.

Almirall, whose Headquarters are in Barcelona (Spain), has a staff of over 3,200 people, approximately 500 of whom form part of the R&D team. It is currently present in around 100 countries with own products and licensed products from other prestigious companies.The company is strengthening its direct presence in Europe and Latin America via affiliates.