October 23, 2008

Origenis Broadens Research Alliance with Alcon to Develop Novel Ophthalmic Compounds

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

Origenis successfully employs its proprietary small moleculediscovery platform MOREsystem® to design, synthesize, andcharacterise novel molecules acting against different targets.Origenis will deliver IND candidates with specific properties mainlyfor ophthalmic applications for certain Alcon targets. Dr. MichaelThormann, Managing Director at Origenis said: "This further extensionunderlines once more the power of our technology platform in thecreation of NCEs, our interdisciplinary expertise, and commitment ofour company in the small molecule drug sector."

Under the terms of the agreement, Alcon will retain the rights to anyproducts for ophthalmic and nasal applications and Origenis willretain certain rights to all other uses of drug candidates discoveredduring the alliance. Alcon will make research payments to Origenisthrough a series of development milestones and royalties on sales.

"We have been very pleased with our relationship with Origenis, whichhas been a reliable partner that has provided us with value-addedresearch in small molecules that we believe have promise inophthalmology," said Dr. John Yanni, Vice President, DiscoveryResearch at Alcon, "We hope that the expansion of our relationshipwith Origenis will lead to even more candidates for development."

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Notes

Origenis GmbH (www.origenis.com) is a privately owned biotechnologycompany headquartered in the Munich Biotech Region. Origenis offersproven expertise in drug design, chemical synthesis, and biologicalcharacterisation combined with its proprietary Small Molecule DrugDiscovery Technology Platform.Origenis drives a novel Drug DiscoveryProcess that creates broad and strong IP portfolios, reducesattrition rate, and finally shortens time to market. This highlyintegrated platform - MOREsystem® - has delivered novel developmentcandidates 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 hasbeen 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 othervision care products that treat diseases, disorders and otherconditions of the eye.

For further information please contact: Dr. Michael Thormann, Managing Director Tel: +49 (0)89 7801 676 0 michael.thormann@origenis.com

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