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[DUSA LOGO]
INNOVATION IN PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
DUSA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DUSA PHARMACEUTICALS UPDATES INVESTORS AT
JP MORGAN H&Q HEALTHCARE CONFERENCE;
ANNOUNCES 100 BLU-U(R) CONTRACTS SIGNED DURING Q4 2000
WILMINGTON, MA. JANUARY 10, 2001 - DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: DUSA)
updated investors today at the JP Morgan H&Q Healthcare Conference in San
Francisco. Dr. Geoffrey Shulman, DUSA's President and CEO, and Dr. Stuart
Marcus, the Company's VP, Scientific Affairs and CSO, discussed progress in the
ongoing US launch of LEVULAN(R) Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for the treatment of
non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratoses (AKs); DUSA's aggressive expansion of its
LEVULAN(R) PDT/PD (photodetection) development program; and the Company's strong
financial position.
During the fourth quarter of 2000, DUSA's dermatology partner, Schering AG, and
its US affiliate, Berlex Laboratories, launched LEVULAN(R) PDT in the US for the
treatment of AKs of the face or scalp. DUSA announced during the presentation
that physicians or institutions signed over 100 contracts during the quarter for
BLU-U(TM) brand light units, which are used with the LEVULAN(R) KERASTICK(R) in
LEVULAN(R) PDT. BLU-U's have been leased to doctors and academic centers around
the country, including some of the most prestigious academic institutions.
Dr. Marcus reviewed the aggressive expansion of the Company's development
programs, both in dermatology and for internal indications. In describing
progress in dermatology indications, he reviewed positive results of an
independent investigator study from Massachusetts General Hospital using
LEVULAN(R) PDT for acne of the back. Dr. Marcus also reported that, in addition
to DUSA's own ongoing study of LEVULAN(R) PDT for moderate to severe acne
vulgaris of the face, DUSA plans to initiate clinical trials using LEVULAN(R)
PDT for treatment of onychomycosis and warts during the first half of 2001.
Regarding internal indications for LEVULAN(R) PDT, DUSA intends to initiate new
Company-sponsored clinical protocols for the treatment of Barrett's Esophagus
and brain cancer during 2001. DUSA also will continue to support and collaborate
in new investigator studies on Barrett's esophagus and restenosis inhibition.
Additional indications being considered for further development include
detection and treatment of cervical dysplasia, endometrial ablation, and bladder
cancer.
Finally, DUSA confirmed that it is in a very strong financial position, with
over $75 million of cash and other assets, following the recent $15,000,000
payment from Schering AG under the original contract.
DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged primarily in
the development of LEVULAN(R) Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) and Photodetection (PD)
for multiple medical indications. PDT and PD utilize light-activated compounds
such as LEVULAN(R) to induce a therapeutic or detection effect. DUSA is a world
leader in
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topically or locally applied PDT and PD. The Company maintains offices
in Wilmington, MA, Valhalla, NY, and Toronto, Ontario.
Except for historical information, this news release contains certain
forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risk and
uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
statements made. These forward-looking statements relate to the expansion of the
Company's development program and plans to initiate clinical trials for the
treatment of onychomycosis, warts, Barrett's esophagus and brain cancer;
intention to support investigator studies and consideration of development of
various additional detection and treatment programs. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, scientific, clinical trial, and
regulatory risks associated with drug and device development programs,
competitive products which may develop, the Company's ability to fund these
programs through the complete regulatory process, intellectual property risks,
reimbursement by third-party payors, and other risks identified in DUSA's SEC
filings from time to time.
For further information contact: D. Geoffrey Shulman, MD, President & CEO or
Shari Lovell, Director, Shareholder Services Tel: 416.363.5059 Fax 416.363.6602
or visit www.dusapharma.com
