Origenis Broadens Research Alliance with Alcon to Develop Novel Ophthalmic Compounds

October 23, 2008

Munich, Germany, October 23, 2008 - Origenis GmbH today announced that it broadened its drug discovery research alliance with Alcon Research, Ltd. (ARL) to create and develop small molecule drugs for important ophthalmic targets. ARL is an affiliate of Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL), the world’s largest eye care company. The alliance combines Origenis' capabilities in compound design, chemical synthesis, and screening with Alcon's applied biology, pharmacology, and development expertise in ophthalmology.

Origenis successfully employs its proprietary small molecule discovery platform MOREsystem® to design, synthesize, and characterise novel molecules acting against different targets. Origenis will deliver IND candidates with specific properties mainly for ophthalmic applications for certain Alcon targets.

Dr. Michael Thormann, Managing Director at Origenis said: “This further extension underlines once more the power of our technology platform in the creation of NCEs, our interdisciplinary expertise, and commitment of our company in the small molecule drug sector.”Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon will retain the rights to any products for ophthalmic and nasal applications and Origenis will retain certain rights to all other uses of drug candidates discovered during the alliance. Alcon will make research payments to Origenis through a series of development milestones and royalties on sales.

“We have been very pleased with our relationship with Origenis, which has been a reliable partner that has provided us with value-added research in small molecules that we believe have promise in ophthalmology,” said Dr. John Yanni, Vice President, Discovery Research at Alcon, “We hope that the expansion of our relationship with Origenis will lead to even more candidates for development.”

Notes

Origenis GmbH (www.origenis.com) is a privately owned biotechnology company headquartered in the Munich Biotech Region.

Origenis offers proven expertise in drug design, chemical synthesis, and biological characterisation combined with its proprietary Small Molecule Drug Discovery Technology Platform.Origenis drives a novel Drug Discovery Process that creates broad and strong IP portfolios, reduces attrition rate, and finally shortens time to market. This highly integrated platform - MOREsystem® - has delivered novel development candidates for a variety of targets and medical indications. Alcon, Inc. (www.alcon.com) is the world’s leading eye care company, with sales of approximately $5.6 billion in 2007.

Alcon, which has been dedicated to the ophthalmic industry for more than 60 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contact lens care solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye.