Aspen to manufacture influenza medicine

Aspen to manufacture influenza medicine                                         
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited                                               
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration Number 1985/002935/06)                                            
(Share code APN ISIN:  ZAE000066692)                                            
("Aspen")                                                                       
Johannesburg. Sponsor: Investec Bank Limited                                    
Aspen to manufacture influenza medicine oseltamivir                             
Aspen (APN), South Africa"s largest listed pharmaceutical company, today        
announced that it has reached an agreement with Roche to produce a generic      
version of oseltamivir for Africa. This complements Roche"s continued efforts to
increase and speed up availability of the medicine for world wide influenza     
pandemic planning. The agreement focuses on providing oseltamivir for pandemic  
use to further help to address the needs of governments and other not for profit
organisations in the African sub - continent.  Roche will provide technical know
how (technical, pre-clinical and clinical data) to assist Aspen to help them    
expedite their production and the registration.  The agreement also allows the  
supply of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) from Roche to Aspen.           
Stephen Saad, Aspen Group CEO said "This agreement complement"s Aspen"s         
continued commitment to turning the tide against infectious diseases in Africa. 
The confidence placed in Aspen by Roche, a leading multinational pharmaceutical 
manufacturer, further endorses the international approval of Aspen"s quality    
manufacturing and it"s ability to provide solutions for the African continent.  
This product will be manufactured in Aspen"s Port Elizabeth-based Oral Solid    
Dose (OSD) facility which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in
2004."                                                                          
David Reddy, Roche"s Pandemic Taskforce Leader, commented: "We are pleased to   
announce the partnership with Aspen as the latest step in our scale-up efforts  
to meet the needs of governments in preparing for the potential public health   
threat posed by avian influenza. This is another demonstration of Roche"s       
commitment to working as a collaborative and responsible partner with           
governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) to assist in pandemic       
planning".                                                                      
Aspen Two Last                                                                  
Whilst Roche remains on schedule to meet all orders from African governments by 
early 2007, the collaboration with Aspen will further enhance the supply of     
oseltamivir for Africa.  The agreement is non-exclusive and will mean that Roche
and other sub-licensees will be able to work on pandemic orders within Africa.  
ends                                                                           
Issued by:          Shauneen Beukes, Shauneen Beukes Communications             
                    Tel: (012) 661-8467                                         
                    Fax: (088) (012) 6618467                                    
                    Cell: 082 389 8900                                          
On Behalf Of:       Stephen Saad, Aspen Holdings Group Chief Executive          
                    Tel: (031) 580-8602                                         
                    Cell:  083 303 4833                                         
                    Gus Attridge, Aspen Holdings Deputy Group Chief Executive   
Tel: (031) 580-8604                                         

                    Cell: 083 628 8813                                          
About Aspen:                                                                    
Aspen is Africa"s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer and a major supplier of   
branded pharmaceutical, healthcare and nutritional products to the southern     
African and selected international markets. Aspen is one of the largest generics
manufacturers in the southern hemisphere.  Aspen is a leading global player in  
generic ARVs.                                                                   
Aspen is one of the top 20 generic manufacturers worldwide and South Africa"s   
number one generic brand. Aspen has pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities     
located at three sites in South Africa. The Group produces a vast range of      
products including tablets, capsules, liquids, creams and others.               
Aspen is listed on JSE Limited (JSE) and has a current market cap in excess of  
R15 billion.                                                                    
Additional information                                                          
- WHO: Global influenza programme: www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/en/        
- WHO: Avian flu: www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/        
Date: 16/05/2006 09:00:09 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department