Press Release: FDA Approves Novartis Corporation's Reclast

U.S. FDA Approves Novartis Corporation's Reclast, the First and Only Single-Dose Treatment Regimen for Paget's Disease of the Bone NEW YORK, April 17 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Reclast(R) (zoledronic acid) injection for the treatment of Paget's disease of the bone, the second most prevalent bone disease after osteoporosis. Reclast is the first and only single-dose treatment regimen for Paget's disease and the first new treatment for the disease in nearly a decade. Until today, standard therapies for Paget's disease -- bisphosphonates taken in pill form -- had to be taken daily for up to six months. Reclast is given as a single 15-minute intravenous infusion by a healthcare professional. Studies show that Reclast is more effective, offers a longer period of remission and starts working faster than the current standard treatment, Actonel(R) (risedronate sodium). Reclast works by attaching to bone, stopping excessive bone breakdown and rebalancing the body's natural bone remodeling process. The FDA is currently reviewing Reclast as a potential once-yearly treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. For more information about Paget's disease, please contact The Paget Foundation at http://www.paget.org or call 800-23-PAGET (800-237-2438). SATELLITE FEEDS: Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 10:30 AM - 10:45 AM ET 1:30 PM - 1:45 PM ET G 26 G 26 Transponder 24 Transponder 11 C-Band C-Band Downlink: 4180 Horizontal Downlink: 3920 Vertical Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 1:30 PM - 1:45 PM ET G 26 Transponder 11 C-Band Downlink: 3920 Vertical Preview and access this video on Pathfire DMG: 21208 Search within the PR Newswire or MultiVu section by story ID # 21208 or by headline For technical assistance call Pathfire Customer Care at 1-888-345-0489 or e-mail [email protected] NEWS: Only Single-Dose Treatment For Paget's Disease Receives FDA Approval FORMAT: B-Roll ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Video, contact information and more available at http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/21208/consumer.shtml SOUNDBITES: -- Charlene Waldman, Executive Director, The Paget Foundation -- Frederick R. Singer, M.D., Director, Endocrine Bone Disease Program, John Wayne Cancer Institute