EU Procedure for 5% Lidocaine Medicated Plaster Positively Concluded

Marketing Authorisations Expected in 14 Additional EU Countries

AACHEN, Germany, January 11 - The mutual recognition procedure to obtain further marketing
authorisations for Grunenthal's 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in 14
additional European countries has been positively concluded. Grunenthal has
sought approval for its medicated hydrogel plaster for the symptomatic relief
of neuropathic pain (nerve pain) associated with previous herpes zoster
infection (post-herpetic neuralgia, PHN).

The 5% lidocaine medicated plaster has already been registered in many
European, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries. Within the European
Union, it has been authorised in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg,
Slovenia, Sweden and the UK. Now that the recent EU procedure has been
positively concluded, local authorities in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic,
Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovak Republic,
Spain, Portugal and Romania are expected to issue a national licence for the
plaster within the next few months.

Post-herpetic neuralgia

Following a herpes zoster infection many patients develop post-herpetic
neuralgia (PHN) - a debilitating chronic nerve pain syndrome. It is caused by
an inflammation of peripheral nerves and is associated with localised
symptoms such as constant burning sensations, stabbing and shooting pains,
allodynia (pain resulting from stimuli that are normally not painful) and
hyperalgesia (intense pain resulting from stimuli that are normally
inadequate to produce such pain). The incidence of PHN increases with age and
occurs at a rate of 1-3 per 1,000 in a population over 75 years of age.

Like other chronic nerve pain conditions, post-herpetic neuralgia is a
very complex condition and therefore, difficult to treat. Many patients may
wait months for an effective therapy while undergoing treatment according to
trial and error.

About 5% lidocaine medicated plaster

The 5% lidocaine medicated plaster is registered in many European, Latin
American and Middle Eastern countries for the symptomatic relief of
neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster infection
(post-herpetic neuralgia, PHN). It is applied directly to the skin, where it
is intended to provide pain relief at the affected skin area. Systemic
absorption of the pain relieving substance lidocaine is low.

About Grunenthal

Grunenthal is passionate about globally being the preferred partner in
pain management for patients, health care professionals and payors. The
corporation drives innovation to expand European market leadership in
moderate to severe pain. Grunenthal is an independent, family-owned German
corporation with companies in 34 countries all over the world. Founded in
1946, the corporation employs 2,000 people in Germany and 5,200 worldwide. In
2008, Grunenthal achieved revenues of about 864 million Euros. More
information: www.grunenthal.com

    Contacts:

    Grunenthal GmbH

    Dr Nicole Foellmer
    Phone: +49-241-569-2858
    Fax: +49-241-569-52858
    nicole.foellmer@grunenthal.com

    Hering Schuppener Healthcare

    Bjoern Haertel
    Phone: +49-40-36-80-75-21
    Fax: +49-40-36-80-75-99
    bhaertel@hs-healthcare.de

Current press materials are available in the press section at
www.grunenthal.com.

Contacts: Grunenthal GmbH, Dr Nicole Foellmer, Phone: +49-241-569-2858, Fax: +49-241-569-52858, nicole.foellmer at grunenthal.com; Hering Schuppener Healthcare, Bjoern Haertel, Phone: +49-40-36-80-75-21, Fax: +49-40-36-80-75-99, bhaertel at hs-healthcare.de