King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals have entered into an amended and restated co-promotion agreement regarding King's product Altace (ramipril), an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. These will effective by1st January 2007. King will assume full responsibility for the selling and marketing of Altace.

"Through this successful collaboration, Altace, King's flagship cardiovascular product, has grown into the leading branded ACE inhibitor, with net sales increasing from $122 million in 1999 to $554 million in 2005," stated Brian A. Markison, King's President and CEO. "King was a much different company when it originally entered into the co-promotion arrangement, with approximately 200 sales representatives in June 2000. Today, our selling platform is more than 1,000 individuals strong, with deep and experienced coverage in primary care."

"We are extremely excited that our experienced commercial team will assume full marketing responsibility for Altace and have the opportunity to aggressively pursue and build on our marketing strategy. These also provide us, opportunity to better leverage and strengthen our commercial operations infrastructure in the cardiovascular market, which is important in making," Markison added.

Joseph M. Mahady, President, Americas and Global Businesses, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, stated, "The original agreement with King was structured to rely on the considerable strengths." Wyeth has in the marketing and sales of cardiovascular pharmaceutical products. Wyeth benefits from this current restructuring, as we will continue to receive an attractive revenue stream from Altace and increase our flexibility to prepare for the launch of several new products.

"Altace has been a tremendous success story for the King/Wyeth partnership," adds Mahady. "Together we developed Altace into one of the most recognized cardiovascular brands in the US. It is an important option for physicians and high-risk patients age 55 and over who seek a treatment benefit beyond blood pressure lowering to reduce the risk for cardiovascular events."

Altace should not be taken during pregnancy, as death or injury to the unborn child may result, or if a person has experienced serious side effects related to previous ACE inhibitors.