Negotiated settlement between Insmed Corporation and Tercica(and Tercica's associated licensing companies Genentech and Cephalon) has devastating impact on ALS Patients worldwide. Iplex, (an IGF-1 medication with an IGF-3 binding protein component), produced by Insmed, has been taken off the market. This drug, given by injection once daily, is the first to show benefit for ALS, HIV-Aids, Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy and burn victims. Because of a patent infringement, the settlement winner Tercica, is pulling all Iplex off the market and replacing it with their own inferior product, Increlex, which offers little or no benefit for these patients. Even at an astronomical cost to patients, ( $9500 a month) the demand is great, the supply unavailable. In fact, Tercica is recommending that all remaining supplies be destroyed rather than providing it to those in dire need. The bottom line is money over life-the obvious 21st century mantra for the pharmaceutical industry.

Increlex is IGF-1 only and the protein is distributed throughout the body and does not attach to the muscles affected by ALS or other conditions. Consequently more of it must be administered (twice a day injections) and less of it is delivered to the areas most in need. By contrast, Iplex (IGF-1 with binding protein IGF-3) attaches to the muscles most needing IGF-1 and is delivered far more rapidly (requiring one injection daily).

Increlex is the same drug as its earlier incarnation, Myotrophin, which showed limited success, if any, for ALS. That is the drug now being tested (again) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and has been tested on again/off again for 13 years. It fails for the reason stated above.

There is clear evidence from previously completed clinical test studies demonstrating the superiority of Iplex over the less effective Increlex for severe short stature syndrome. There is clear and overwhelming evidence of the ability of Iplex to benefit those with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy per the recently completed University of Rochester test study. There is no evidence yet published to suggest that Tercica's lesser product Increlex will benefit any of these conditions: ALS, HIV-AIDS, severe burn, fractured hip, Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy. And there is clear evidence that Increlex is less capable than Iplex for those with severe short stature syndrome.

We need your help in placing pressure upon Tercica to stop ignoring requests for Iplex, begin distribution immediately and continue to provide the Iplex product to the ALS and other communities who have already experienced positive affects.


INSMED Contact:
Administrative office
Phone: 804-565-3000, Fax: 804-565-3500
Ronald Gunn, Chief Operating Officer
Dr Kenneth Attie, Medical Affairs
Dr Geoffrey Allan, President, CEO

TERCICA Contact:
Administrative Office 866-837-2422
Dr. George Bright, Pediatric Endocrinologist
Dr. Sandra Blethen, Pediatric Endocrinologist
Thorsten von Stein, Senior VP, CMO
Fredik Wiklund, Investor Relations/Media
John Scarlett, President, CEO
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