Press Releases (2005)

PGA TOUR Star Steve Flesch and Dermik Laboratories Partnered During Melanoma Month to Benefit Skin Cancer Foundation, Help Educate Americans About Sun Exposure & Skin Health

BERWYN, PA — July 7, 2005 — Two-time PGA TOUR Champion Steve Flesch teamed up with Dermik Laboratories during the month of May to remind consumers about the need for proper skin protection and forming good skin health habits. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has designated May as Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, with the first Monday in May designated as Melanoma Monday or "National Skin Self-Examination Day." Melanoma Monday kicked off the AAD program designed to raise awareness about skin health and encourage Americans to begin a life long habit of regular skin self-examinations. Dermik Laboratories is making a donation of $5,000 to The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) based on Flesch's performance in PGA Tour events during the month of May (a matching donation of $5,000 will be made to Flesch's charity of choice, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital). The money donated by Dermik will be used to benefit SCF skin cancer screenings, prevention initiatives and patient education.

During the month of May, Dermik Laboratories accumulated a donation to The Skin Cancer Foundation based on Flesch's performance. Dermik donated $100 for every birdie, $500 for each eagle and $10,000 for every hole-in-one Steve made in competition during the month of May. Steve played in three events during May: the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the Wachovia Championship and the Bank of America Colonial.

Flesch was diagnosed with actinic keratosis (AK), pre-cancerous lesions of the skin as a result of years of sun exposure. "After years on the golf course, I was fortunate that my AKs were detected and treated before they led to skin cancer. My dermatologist treated me with Carac® (fluorouracil cream) Cream, 0.5% and it worked for me" said Steve Flesch, PGA Tour golfer. "Our goal for this partnership is to encourage the local community to be proactive about their skin health and go to the dermatologist for a regular check-up. If this partnership with Dermik Laboratories helps one person prevent skin cancer, it was worth all of the effort"

According to Perry Robins, MD, President and Founder of The Skin Cancer Foundation, "Golfers are at risk for actinic keratosis due to the increased sun exposure they receive on body parts, like the face, neck, arms and the back of hands. I believe that this awareness campaign will encourage golfers to reevaluate their sun protection habits, and begin their own monthly self-exams as well as going to a dermatologist for their annual skin examination."

About AKs
AKs are lesions that typically occur on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, scalp, arms, or back of hands. AKs begin under the skin's surface, then emerge as rough or scaly areas that may feel like sandpaper to the touch. They can be pink, tan, or the same color as skin, so they may be recognized by touch as well as by sight. People aged 40 and over who have had significant sun exposure or a history of repeated sunburns, those who freckle and burn rather than tan in the sun, and those who spend large amounts of time in the sun without sunscreen are at greatest risk for AKs.

About Carac®
Carac® (fluorouracil cream) Cream, 0.5% is a once-a-day, topical treatment for actinic keratosis of the face and anterior scalp that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Carac® provides patients with an effective AK treatment with the benefit of convenient once-daily dosing.

Carac® should not be used by women who are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or nursing. Carac® should not be used by people with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency. The most common side effects are skin reactions including redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of upper layer of skin), swelling and eye irritation.

About Dermik Laboratories
Carac® is marketed by Dermik Laboratories. Dermik Laboratories conducts the North American business of sanofi-aventis Dermatology, the global dermatology unit of sanofi-aventis. Dermik Laboratories has nearly 60 years of experience in the development, marketing and distribution of innovative prescription pharmaceutical products. Dermik has created a new division, Dermik Aesthetics, that will focus on marketing innovative, enduring, and reliable treatments to improve appearance and well-being. Dermik's mission is to foster healthy-looking skin and in turn, a healthy outlook for life.

About sanofi-aventis
The sanofi-aventis Group is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular disease, thrombosis, oncology, diabetes, central nervous system, internal medicine and vaccines. The sanofi-aventis Group conducts business in the U.S. through its subsidiaries Sanofi-Synthelabo Inc., Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Sanofi Pasteur Inc. The sanofi-aventis Group is listed in Paris (EURONEXT : SAN) and in New York (NYSE : SNY).

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