December 21, 2005

For reference : press release by TAP

TAP LICENSES PREVACID® INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS TO NOVARTIS FOR OTC DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE COMMERCIALIZATION
− Agreement Part of TAP's Strategy to Maintain Its Leadershipin Area of Gastroenterological Products −

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Dec. 20, 2005 − TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc. announced today that it has agreed to license its Prevacid® (lansoprazole) trademark and certain other intellectual property to Novartis for development and future commercialization in the over-the-counter (OTC) market. The agreement covers the United States and its territories. Financial terms were not disclosed.

TAP will continue to market and sell prescription Prevacid until at least 2009 when the compound patent expires, while Novartis takes on full responsibility for what is expected to be a multi-year OTC development initiative, including the design and conduct of all clinical studies, product development activities, regulatory submissions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, commercialization, manufacturing, product launch and distribution.

"Prevacid is one of the most recognized and respected names for treating a number of acid-related disorders," said Alan MacKenzie, TAP's president. "TAP is proud that Prevacid has become one of the nation's leading prescription drugs, and this agreement allows TAP to maximize the value of its Prevacid franchise while also focusing on future novel compounds to treat acid related disorders."

"Our goal is to switch Prevacid upon its patent expiration and make it one of the top five OTC products in the United States," said Larry Allgaier, CEO of Novartis Consumer Health, OTC. "We have the experience and a proven track record in switching drugs from Rx to OTC. We're excited about making Prevacid − a brand that people know and trust - even more accessible to patients in the future."

"We chose to grant rights for this important product to a company that excels in developing and marketing OTC products, and we are convinced that Novartis is well positioned to make an OTC version of Prevacid a success in the future," said MacKenzie.

Continued Commitment to Leadership in Gastroenterology
TAP has been a vital part of the gastroenterological community for more than 10 years, supporting important research and education for patients and physicians about acid-related disorders. The company remains committed to the area as it builds upon its gastroenterology franchise with two important development programs announced earlier this year: TAK-390MR and ilaprazole.

TAP has initiated Phase III studies for the investigational drug TAK-390MR for the treatment of acid-related disorders. Licensed from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, TAK-390MR employs a new modified release (MR) technology on an enantiomer of lansoprazole.

Ilaprazole is a new investigational proton pump inhibitor (PPI), which will enter Phase II studies next year and was licensed from ILYANG Pharmaceutical Company.

About Prevacid
Prevacid is currently approved for prescription-only use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Prevacid's indications include the short-term (up to eight weeks) treatment of heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Symptomatic response to therapy does not preclude the presence of gastric malignancy.
Prevacid is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation. The most frequently reported adverse events include diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea. For further information about Prevacid, please see the complete prescribing information and visit.

About TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc.
TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., located in Lake Forest, Ill., is a joint venture between Abbott, headquartered in Abbott Park, Ill., and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, of Osaka, Japan. TAP markets Prevacid® (lansoprazole) and Lupron Depot® (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension). For more information about TAP Pharmaceutical Products Inc., and its products, visit the company's Web site at .

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