Media release

Business synergies and international presence: a faster development of Galenica’s future
products and line extensions
Aspreva Pharmaceuticals' activities are focused on the research, development and commercialisation of new therapeutic indications for existing drugs, especially in areas where only a few or no treatment options were previously available. The acquisition is strategically an excellent addition to Galenica's portfolio of companies. Aspreva Pharmaceuticals' core competences and know-how are complementary to the strengths of Galenica Group's pharmaceutical companies. The integration offers new opportunities for further development and opens up new perspectives for growth. The purpose is to develop the existing product pipeline of Vifor (International) faster and leverage the entire potential of the company's registered products through indication extensions. Aspreva Pharmaceuticals' partner network and its know-how in the field of medical affairs will help Galenica to penetrate new markets. Vifor (International) products can thus be introduced to markets faster, in a more targeted fashion and on a broader scale. The prime beneficiaries here will be the intravenous iron deficiency product Ferinject® and the phosphate binder PA21, which is currently in the development phase. The future collaboration will also accelerate the development of new products from the Vifor (International) pipeline. With the integration of Aspreva into the Galenica Group the companies will form a new fully-integrated specialty pharma group within Galenica's Pharma business sector.

Accumulated specialist expertise of highly qualified experts with international experience
combined with business development capabilities
Aspreva's highly qualified specialists have international experience and work closely with other
specialists in a partner network. They are thus an ideal complement to the Vifor (International) team,
particularly in the further research and development of existing drugs and in the area of medical affairs and hence medical education. Aspreva will also provide a business development organisation which will support the more rapid execution of future projects.

Successful collaboration with Roche
Aspreva Pharmaceuticals is working together successfully with Roche, using its know-how in the field of autoimmune diseases to research the efficacy of the Roche drug CellCept® in the treatment of lupus nephritis, a chronic autoimmune disease. CellCept® was originally developed by Roche for the prevention of organ transplant rejection symptoms. In 2003, Aspreva Pharmaceuticals secured the worldwide rights (ex Japan) to develop and commercialise CellCept® for all applications in connection with autoimmune diseases. Clinical studies are being carried out at present in the areas of nephrology, and dermatology. Today more than 100,000 patients have benefited from the clinical evidence Aspreva has generated. Aspreva clearly puts the benefit for patients first. The collaboration with Roche is secured by contractual agreement until 2017. The CellCept® patents are due to expire with effect from 2009 in the US and from 2010 and 2011 in Europe.

More funds for research, development and medical affairs
Aspreva generated revenue of USD 214.8 million in 2006 and net profit of USD 124.2 million. In the
first half of 2007, revenue was up 7.6% to USD 123.1 million, and net profit was USD 74.6 million. The company reported cash and marketable securites of USD 323.9 million at the close of the first half of 2007. Aspreva's cash flow will enable Galenica to repay the loan facility required to finance the takeover completely within a few years. In addition, funds will be available to conduct clinical trials on a broader and more rapid basis and to further expand activities in the field of medical affairs. Furthermore on a cash EPS basis Aspreva’s acquisition represents an over 80% accretion for Galenica Group in the first year. The acquisition will have a positive impact on Galenica Group's net profit in the very first year.

Galenica to invest USD 915 million – fully financed
The price named in the offer is USD 26 per share, which corresponds to a premium for shareholders of 34% compared with the average price over the last 90 days. The total value of the offer amounts to USD 915 million. The Royal Bank of Scotland plc has been mandated to solely arrange and fully underwrite the Acquisition Facilities. UBS Investment Bank acted as the sole financial adviser to  Galenica for this transaction. Merrill Lynch International provided Galenica upon request a second opinion about the transaction. Galenica’s Swiss legal advisors are Kellerhals Hess and its Canadian legal advisors are Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.

Aspreva shareholders to decide in December
The offer has been recommended unanimously by Aspreva’s Board of Directors who has
recommended that the shareholders also vote in favour of the transaction. In addition, Aspreva’s
directors and officers, as well as their largest shareholder, who collectively hold approximately 31
percent of the outstanding common shares of Aspreva, have entered into agreements with Galenica to
vote their shares in support of the transaction. The decision is scheduled to be taken at an special
meeting of shareholders in mid-December 2007. A two-thirds majority of Aspreva Pharmaceuticals'
shareholders is required for the successful completion of the deal. Once the shareholders and the
Canadian competition authority (Investment Canada) have given their approval, Aspreva Pharmaceuticals will be delisted on the stock exchanges and integrated into the Pharma business
sector of the Galenica Group as a subsidiary of Galenica Ltd.

Additional information for the media and financial analysts:
The Galenica Group invites interested representatives of the media and financial analysts to
attend an information meeting today, 18 October 2007, where it will report on recent events:

Media conference
Time: 09.30 a.m.
Place: Zurich Marriott Hotel,
Neumühlequai 42, 8001 Zurich

Financial analysts' conference
Time: 11.30 a.m.
Place: Zurich Marriott Hotel,
Neumühlequai 42, 8001 Zurich

Aspreva Pharmaceuticals is a globally active pharmaceutical company incorporated in Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) with branches in the USA, UK and Switzerland (Neuchatel). Aspreva Pharmaceuticals has specialised in identifying and developing new indication areas for existing drugs and marketing these new therapeutic applications after registration. The company was founded in 2001 and today employs a staff of around 90. Sales in 2006 came to USD 214.8 million. The shares of Aspreva Pharmaceuticals are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (ASPV) and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (ASV).

Additional information on Aspreva Pharmaceuticals can be found at www.aspreva.com