Laurence Downey, MD, Named to PhRMA Board of Directors

June 06, 2006

President and CEO of Solvay Pharmaceuticals to Serve Three-Year Term

Marietta, Ga. – Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that Laurence Downey, MD, president and chief executive officer, has been named to the board of directors of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA). Downey will serve a three-year term from April 2006 to April 2009.

PhRMA represents the country’s leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies, which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.

“Joining the leadership ranks of our industry’s trade association is an honor for me personally and for Solvay Pharmaceuticals,” said Downey. “As a physician myself, I hope to bolster PhRMA’s aim to view our business through the eyes of patients and act accordingly. Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ goal to fulfill the specific, unmet medical needs of patients also coincides well with PhRMA’s mission to protect, improve and enhance human health through medical innovation.”

“PhRMA looks forward to Dr. Downey’s leadership on the Board as we continue the important work of saving lives, battling disease and bringing affordable medications to all in America who depend upon them,” said Billy Tauzin, President and CEO of PhRMA.

As president and chief executive officer of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Downey focuses on expanding the company’s presence in the United States through aggressive strategies to grow the current business together with pipeline development and acquisitions. A 25-year veteran of the company, Downey most recently served as president and CEO of Solvay Pharma Inc. in Canada and was named president and CEO of the U.S. organization on January 1, 2006. Downey joined Solvay Healthcare Ltd. in Southampton, United Kingdom, in 1979 as a Medical Advisor and in 1986, moved to Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in Marietta, Ga. where he initially served as Vice President, Medical Services and subsequently held positions as Senior Vice President Commercial Operations and interim President and CEO. A native of the United Kingdom, Downey earned a medical degree from the University of Manchester and a diploma in pharmaceutical medicine from the Royal College of Physicians, where he is also a faculty fellow.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., of Marietta, Georgia is the U.S. subsidiary of Solvay Pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit www.solvaypharmaceuticals-us.com.

Solvay Pharmaceuticals is a research driven group of companies that constitute the global pharmaceutical business of the Solvay Group. The company seeks to fulfill carefully selected, unmet medical needs in the therapeutic areas of neuroscience, cardio-metabolic, influenza vaccines, gastroenterology, specialized markets and men’s and women’s health. Its 2005 sales were EUR 2.3 billion and it employs approximately 10 000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.solvaypharmaceuticals.com

Solvay is an international chemicals and pharmaceuticals group with headquarters in Brussels. It operates in more than 50 countries, with some 30,000 employees. In 2005 its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.6 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay SA is listed on the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.

Contact Information

Gabrielle Braswell

Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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