BERLIN, November 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering AG, Germany (FSE: SCH, NYSE: SHR), majority-owned by the Bayer Group, announced today that the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration has expanded the indication of Betaferon(R) (interferon beta-1b) to include patients with a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). This approval provides an important treatment option for patients in Australia to reduce the risk of developing clinically definite MS (CDMS), and thus creates the potential to delay the progression of the disease. Earlier this year, Betaferon was granted marketing authorization in Europe, the United States and Canada for the treatment of patients with a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis. "We are pleased that Betaferon is now available also for treatment of early MS in Australia where it is already the most prescribed MS treatment. With this approval, physicians and patients have a trusted treatment option for the early stages of the disease, when it has the greatest impact," said Dr. Darlene Jody, Head of Specialized Therapeutics at Schering Group." The label extension is based on results from the BENEFIT[a] study which showed that Betaferon 250 mcg treatment in the early phase of the disease reduced the risk of developing CDMS by 50 percent compared with placebo [1,b]. Furthermore, patients in the Betaferon group were two times better protected[c] than placebo-treated patients against developing MS as defined by the McDonald diagnostic criteria[2]. Betaferon was also very well accepted in the BENEFIT study, with 93 percent of patients completing the two-year study period. Footnotes [a] Betaferon(R)/Betaseron(R) in Newly Emerging MS For Initial Treatment. [b] 50 Percent risk reduction based on adjustment for a standard set of baseline covariates. [c] At the end of the study period of two years. References [1]. L Kappos. Betaferon(R) in Newly Emerging Multiple Sclerosis for Initial Treatment (BENEFIT): clinical results. Presented at ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS 2005. [2]. McDonald et al. Recommended Diagnostic Criteria for MS. Ann Neurol 2001; 50:121-127. Additional information About BENEFIT The multi-center, double-blind, randomized, phase III BENEFIT study was conducted in 98 centers in 20 countries and included a total of 487 patients presenting with a single clinical episode suggestive of MS. Patients with a first clinical demyelinating event suggestive of MS and typical MRI findings received either eight million units of interferon beta-1b (Betaferon) every other day or placebo as a subcutaneous injection. Treatment continued for up to 24 months unless patients experienced a second attack and were diagnosed with clinically definite MS. The two co-primary efficacy outcomes were time to CDMS, based on a second clinical demyelinating event or an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression >=1.5 points, and time to MS according to the McDonald criteria. All study participants completing the double blind study were then invited to participate in a separate open-label follow-up study with Betaferon which will prospectively assess the impact of such early treatment with Betaferon on the long-term course of the disease for a total observation time of five years, including the impact of early treatment on the formation of new brain lesions as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). BENEFIT patients included those who had a first clinical demyelinating event either monofocal (i.e. clinical evidence of a single lesion) or multifocal (i.e. clinical evidence of more than one lesion). Inclusion of both patient groups is important because this is representative for the patient population with a single event. About Betaferon Betaferon/Betaseron was the first disease-modifying drug introduced for MS and is a well-established treatment around the world. Betaferon has the broadest experience of any MS medication. In the U.S., Europe and Japan, Betaferon has been approved for all relapsing forms of MS. It is able to reduce the number of MS episodes by one-third, and the frequency of moderate to severe episodes by as much as 50 percent. Sixteen years' follow up of people treated with Betaferon has shown that it is safe and well tolerated. Schering AG is a research-based pharmaceutical company. Its activities are focused on four business areas: Gynecology&Andrology, Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging as well as Specialized Therapeutics for disabling diseases. As a global player with innovative products, Schering AG aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. With in-house R&D and supported by an excellent global network of external partners, Schering AG is securing a promising product pipeline. Using new ideas, Schering AG aims to make a recognized contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life: making medicine work It is planned that Schering AG will be renamed Bayer Schering Pharma Aktiengesellschaft. A corresponding resolution was passed at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Schering AG on September 13, 2006. Until the name change has been registered in the commercial register, the company will continue to operate under the name Schering AG. According to the resolution of the General Meeting, the Executive Board will not file an application for registration before December 1, 2006. This press release has been published by Corporate Communication of Schering AG, Berlin, Germany. Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and Schering AG's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Certain factors that may cause such differences are discussed in our Form 20-F and Form 6-K reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Schering AG undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise. Your contacts at Corporate Communication: Media Relations: Oliver Renner T: +49-30-468-124-31 Investor Relations: Dr Jost Reinhard T: +49-30-468-150-62 Pharma Communication: Dr Claudia Schmitt T: +49-30-468-158-05 Find additional information at: http://www.schering.de/eng DATASOURCE: Schering AG CONTACT: Your contacts at Corporate Communication: Media Relations: Oliver Renner, T: +49-30-468-124-31, ; Investor Relations: Dr Jost Reinhard, T: +49-30-468-150-62, ; Pharma Communication: Dr Claudia Schmitt; T: +49-30-468-158-05,

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