PRINGY, France, May 16 /PRNewswire/ --

- The Haute-Savoie Plant Where the Next-Generation Dermal Filler Treatment Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA is Produced, Becomes Allergan's Global Excellence Production Centre for Hyaluronic Acid

Allergan is delighted to inaugurate today the << Pringy 2 >> site which includes new production areas as well as advanced technology facilities dedicated to the Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA product range. Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA is the latest dermal filler product line manufactured by Allergan, the makers of BOTOX(R) and VISTABEL(R) (Botulinum Toxin Type A).

Worldwide dermal filler market sales are expected to grow to US$1.1 billion by 2010(1). Allergan has a global market share of 30% within the dermal filler market but this is expected to grow substantially with the European launch of Juvederm(TM) ULTRA.

'Allergan is the world's leading medical aesthetics company, and this is demonstrated by our need to extend our dermal fillers manufacturing site in Pringy, France. We are achieving two important goals with this inauguration: ensuring our future production capacity can keep pace with demand at the same time as building a research and development centre of excellence.' said David E.I. Pyott, Allergan's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

Following the growing worldwide trend for medical aesthetic procedures, Allergan is expecting increased demand for its dermal fillers and is forecasting a 60% increase in production compared to 2007. This production is supported by a staff of 200+ people including an additional 20 research and development employees. Within France, Allergan employs around 360 people with 54% in production, 31% in the sales group and 15% in administration.

Allergan expects that the Pringy site facilities will be fully operational by the end of 2008 including the necessary validations and approvals from the relevant American and European authorities. Allergan has invested approximately 16 millions euros to date in the construction of the additional facilities and plans to invest an additional 10 millions euros within the next 5 years.

Mr Accoyer, President of the National Assembly and Mayor of Annecy-le-Vieux commented on the impact that Allergan's commitment to the region. "I am delighted that a global advanced technology health care company such as Allergan has chosen our region to expand both its production capacity as well as its research and development focus. Expansions of this nature are decisive for the region bringing in additional high-tech jobs."

Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA was successfully launched in January on the European markets including France, and is rapidly gaining market share within the competitive field of dermal fillers due to its unique properties. Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA is the only range of dermal filler that contains lidocaine, an anaesthetic. Recent studies presented during the Anti-Aging World Congress in Paris show that 95% of patients felt that Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA 3 provided a more comfortable experience than Restylane (R)-Perlane(R)(2) Adverse events were mild and transient with both products.

"The Pringy site is a Centre for Excellence within Allergan, developing and manufacturing our dermal fillers for worldwide distribution. The expansion of the site allows us to bring together research expertise as well as production knowledge and this should mean that we can bring innovative products to our customers faster than ever" added Mr Mir Nezam, President of Allergan, France.

The first Pringy manufacturing site opened in 1990, initially developing products for ophthalmologic indications. By 1996, hyaluronic acid research at the site had led to the development of dermal fillers with the first Juvéderm range being produced in 2000. The Pringy site produces Allergan's dermal filler product ranges which include Juvéderm(TM), Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA, Surgiderm(TM) and Hydrafill(TM). It supplies products to Europe, the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, Korea and other countries in the Asia Pacific region.

Allergan is the world's leading medical aesthetics company. In 2007, Allergan acquired Groupe Cornéal Laboratoires in order to offer the most comprehensive, science-based, facial aesthetic product offerings which now includes BOTOX(R)/VISTABEL(R) and the Juvéderm(TM) ULTRA family of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. As part of its aesthetic product offering, Allergan also offers the industry's widest range of silicone breast implant options, for reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery; and leading minimally invasive devices, such as the LAP-BAND(R) System for obesity intervention treatment. Allergan's turnover in 2007 was US$3.9 billion dollars, with a European turnover of US$762 million. The 2007 growth for the European region was 39% compared with 2006 growth.

About Allergan

Founded in 1950, Allergan, Inc., with headquarters in Irvine, California, is a multi-specialty health care company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative pharmaceuticals, biologics and medical devices that enable people to live life to its greatest potential - to see more clearly, move more freely, express themselves more fully. The Company employs approximately 8,000 people worldwide and operates state-of-the-art R&D facilities and world-class manufacturing plants. In addition to its discovery-to-development research organization, Allergan has global marketing and sales capabilities with a presence in more than 100 countries.

References

(1) Medical Insight, January 2007.

(2) Levy P, Raspaldo H, de Boulle K. A Split-Face Comparison of Two Hyaluronic Acid Facial Fillers in the Treatment of Naso-labial Folds. Poster at Anti-Aging Medicine World Conference, Paris 10-12 April.

Restylane(R)-Perlane(R) is a registered trademark of Q-Med AB

Media contacts Allergan : Janet Kettels Tel. : +44(0)1628-494-421 / +44(0)7738-5064-76 / kettels_janet@allergan.com. Chandler Chicco Agency : Jean-Yves Goar Tel: +33(0)1-53-43-91-53 / jgoar@ccapr.com Catherine Héron Tel: +33(0)1-53-43-92-43 / cheron@ccapr.com

Media contacts: Allergan : Janet Kettels, Tel. : +44(0)1628-494-421 / +44(0)7738-5064-76 /, kettels_janet@allergan.com.; Chandler Chicco Agency : Jean-Yves Goar, Tel: +33(0)1-53-43-91-53 / jgoar@ccapr.com; Catherine Héron, Tel: +33(0)1-53-43-92-43 / cheron@ccapr.com