NEW INSULIN RECEIVES FDA APPROVAL

LANTUS (Insulin Glargine rDNA), from Aventis Pharmaceuticals, has received FDA approval.� Thus Aventis (successor to Hoechst) joins Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Eli Lilly and Company, as a U.S.-approved insulin manufacturer.

How is this insulin different?� LANTUS is a very slow insulin, somewhat similar in response to Ultralente, although quicker in time-of-onset.� The company describes it as a �long-acting basal insulin...providing a relatively constant profile with no pronounced peak, and a glucose-lowering effect for over 24 hours.�� Company literature states this insulin is for once-a-day administration, at bedtime, to treat adult patients with type 2 or type 1 diabetes, who require basal insulin.

LANTUS is a recombinant DNA insulin analog specifically formulated to provide a long, flat response.� Because of its special formulation, LANTUS cannot be mixed in a syringe with any other insulin, so if you wished to take it with Regular or Humalog, you�d have to take two injections.�

LANTUS insulin should be available shortly.� Have your physician contact:� Aventis Pharmaceuticals, in Parsippany, NJ, telephone:� 1-800-552-3656; website: http://www.aventis.com