Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced that, in conjunction with the release of the sanofi-aventis group's financial results, that global in-market sales of Copaxone reached a record $353 million in the second quarter ending June 30, 2006. Once again, Copaxone was the fastest growing multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy worldwide, with a growth of 22 per cent in sales over the comparable quarter of 2005, a Teva release said.

US sales in the second quarter of 2006 increased 19 per cent over the second quarter of 2005 to $231 million. According to IMS data in the US, Copaxone continued to strengthen its position as market leader reaching a market share of 33.9 per cent in TRx and 34.9 per cent in NRx in June 2006.

Outside the US, mainly in Europe, Copaxone, continues to be the fastest growing multiple sclerosis therapy with growth of 26 per cent over the second quarter of 2005, reaching sales of $123M.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., headquartered in Israel, is among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world and is the leading generic pharmaceutical company. The company develops, manufactures and markets generic and innovative human pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as animal health pharmaceutical products. Over 80 per cent of Teva's sales are in North America and Europe.