CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals Launches Multivitamin Formulated to Promote Oral Health Dentaplex(TM) Designed to Help Maintain Optimal Health of the Gums and Teeth NEWTOWN, Pa., June 19 ,2001/PRNewswire CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the availability of Dentaplex(TM), a professionally-recommended nutritional supplement specifically formulated to help maintain optimal oral health. The new supplement's formulation is built on a "C-complex" of calcium, vitamin C and carotene, the group of vitamins and minerals closely associated with healthy gums and strong teeth. Dentaplex will be available for sale in pharmacies, food and mass merchandise stores. "We are pleased to offer dental professionals a nutritional supplement that they can recommend to their patients whose diets are low in the key nutrients necessary for optimal oral health," said Brian M. Gallagher, PhD, chairman, chief executive officer and president of CollaGenex. "CollaGenex is the first pharmaceutical company to support, through professional detailing and education, a nutritional product specifically formulated to help maintain oral health. Dentaplex has been manufactured and tested using rigorous industry standards." Research has demonstrated that intake of key nutrients is related to oral health. "Nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining general health as well as oral health," said Sara G. Grossi, DDS, clinical assistant professor of oral biology and director of the Periodontal Research Center at the State University of New York at Buffalo. "When evaluating nutritional intake for oral health, it is important to include those nutrients that have been demonstrated in scientific studies to be associated with the health of tooth-supporting tissues." Dr. Grossi's research, which has been published in "The Journal of Periodontology," has explored the relationship between nutrient intake and oral health. "To maintain optimal oral health, it is necessary to practice good daily oral hygiene, receive regular professional dental care and eat a healthy diet each day. Dental professionals should discuss nutritional supplementation with patients who have difficulty maintaining a well-balanced diet," said Dr. Grossi. The American Dietetic Association states that nutrition is an integral part of oral health. However, experts agree that obtaining key nutrients through diet alone is a difficult, if not impossible, task for most people. A survey conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture revealed that not one of 21,000 respondents consumed at least the recommended daily allowance for ten nutrients, including many that are important for maintaining oral health. However, a poor diet is not the only reason people may be nutritionally deficient. "Even if people are eating well, pollution, stress and various medications and medical conditions can interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients or accelerate their depletion," said Marc Lazare, DDS, a New York-based cosmetic dentist, clinical instructor at New York University College of Dentistry and member of the attending staff at North Shore University Hospital, who publishes and lectures on the relationship between nutrition and oral health. Poor Nutrition: Who's at Risk? Clearly, all busy adults are susceptible to poor nutrition and its many consequences, but certain groups are at greatest risk. Metabolic demands placed on the body during various life stages can cause depletions in key nutrients, especially among growing adolescents, pregnant or lactating women and the elderly. Smokers experience decreased levels of vitamin C, which is important to the body's normal immune function. Smoking also depletes vitamin B1, folic acid and calcium. Disease states, such as liver and kidney insufficiency, may result in zinc deficiency. Estrogen in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy may cause a lowering of vitamin C blood levels and an increased need for vitamin B6. Use of histamine H2-receptor antagonists may increase the daily requirements for folic acid. Denture wearers, most of them elderly, may be deficient nutritionally because of their inability to eat enough nutrient-packed raw fruits and vegetables. CollaGenex: Providing Innovative Products to the Dental Market "CollaGenex is committed to maximizing the potential of Dentaplex through the heightened awareness of good oral care," said Dr. Gallagher. "The launch of Dentaplex is consistent with our goal of building a comprehensive line of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products that add to our growing revenue base. Most important, we are able to leverage our highly-trained and specialized 120-person sales force to deliver Dentaplex to the dental market." CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on providing innovative products to the dental market. The Company's lead product, Periostat(R), was approved by the FDA in September 1998 and is the first and only pharmaceutical to treat periodontal disease by inhibiting the enzymes that destroy periodontal support tissues. In February 2001, the FDA granted marketing approval for a new tablet formulation for Periostat. Periostat is marketed to the dental community by CollaGenex through a professional pharmaceutical sales force composed of approximately 120 sales representatives and managers. Currently, the Company's dental sales force is also marketing Vioxx(R), a Merck & Co. drug that CollaGenex co-promotes to dentists for the treatment of acute pain in adults and ostoearthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). CollaGenex is developing a series of novel, proprietary compounds known as IMPACS(R) (Inhibitors of Multiple Proteases and Cytokines) to address these applications. The Company intends to pursue further research and development of these technologies primarily through partnerships with third parties. To receive additional information on the Company, please visit the Company's website at http://www.collagenex.com/ which is not a part of this press release. This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 23E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may affect the Company's business and prospects. The Company's business of selling, marketing and developing pharmaceutical products is subject to a number of significant risks, including risks relating to the implementation of the Company's sales and marketing plans for Periostat; risks inherent in research and development activities; risks associated with conducting business in a highly regulated environment and uncertainty relating to clinical trials of products under development, all as discussed in the Company's periodic filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. SOURCE CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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