Reliant Pharmaceuticals Extends Lescol(R) Promotion Agreement

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., April 11 /PRNewswire/ — Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the term of the promotion agreement with Novartis for Lescol(R) (fluvastatin sodium) and Lescol(R) XL (fluvastatin sodium extended-release tablets) will be extended. Reliant began promoting Lescol and Lescol XL in January 2001 under a five-year agreement. Under the terms of the extended agreement, Reliant will continue to promote the Lescol family of products with its national primary care and cardiovascular specialty sales forces through 2007, with the potential to extend through 2008. Either party has the right to terminate the extended term on ninety days notice.

“The strong safety and efficacy profile of Lescol offers physicians an important tool in managing cholesterol. With the extension of our Lescol promotion agreement, the brand will benefit from the continued promotion by our knowledgeable sales force, and Reliant will benefit by retaining and leveraging the long-standing relationships we’ve built with our target audience of physicians. Lescol and Lescol XL are an important part of Reliant’s lipid management franchise, one that we look forward to expanding with the recent launch of Antara(TM) (fenofibrate capsules) and the FDA approval of Omacor(R) (omega-3 ethyl esters),” commented Ernest Mario, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Reliant. “We look forward to continuing our long-standing and constructive relationship with Novartis.”

Lescol and Lescol XL are indicated as an adjunct to diet to reduce elevated total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and Apo B levels, and to increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia (Fredrickson Type IIa and IIb). In patients with coronary heart disease, Lescol and Lescol XL are also indicated to slow the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and to reduce the risk of undergoing coronary revascularization procedures.

Lescol capsules and Lescol XL tablets are well-tolerated prescription medications for the treatment of high cholesterol. Physicians should perform blood tests before and during treatment to check for liver problems. Patients should not take Lescol or Lescol XL if they are nursing; are pregnant or may become pregnant; have liver problems; or are allergic to any of the ingredients. Possible side effects may include upset stomach, insomnia, upper respiratory tract infections, flu-like symptoms, back pain or headache. Unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness could be a sign of a serious side effect and should be reported to the patient’s doctor immediately. For full prescribing information, please consult http://www.lescolxl.com/.

About Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Reliant Pharmaceuticals is a privately held company with integrated sales, marketing and development expertise focused on selling promotionally sensitive pharmaceutical products to high-prescribing primary care physicians across the U.S., as well as to select specialists. The Company acquires and develops branded pharmaceutical products, as well as products in mid- to late-stage clinical development, that typically have FDA-granted marketing exclusivity or long-term patent protection. Reliant enhances the value of its product portfolio by applying highly focused marketing campaigns and by implementing strategies to extend the life cycles of the products it sells. These strategies include applying drug delivery technologies and formulation advancements that increase safety, improve convenience and compliance, and enhance therapeutic value. Reliant’s sales force infrastructure has grown with its product portfolio and is comprised of nearly 1,000 sales professionals nationwide.

In addition to Lescol and Lescol XL, Reliant’s product portfolio includes: DynaCirc(R) (isradipine) and DynaCirc(R) CR (an extended-release formulation) for the treatment of hypertension; InnoPran(R) XL (propranolol HCl), the only bedtime-dosed beta-blocker for the treatment of hypertension; Rythmol(R) (propafenone) and Rythmol(R) SR (a controlled-release formulation), antiarrhythmic agents approved for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in patients without structural heart disease; Antara(TM) (fenofibrate) capsules approved for adjunct treatment of elevated cholesterol and triglycerides; and Omacor(R) (omega-3 ethyl esters), under an exclusive license agreement with Pronova Biocare AS, for the treatment of very high triglycerides.

For more information on Reliant Pharmaceuticals, please visit http://www.reliantrx.com/.

“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

To the extent any statements made in this release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development and launch, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, the regulatory environment, fluctuations in operating results and other risks detailed from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reliant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

CONTACT: Marylou Rowe, Investor Relations Manager, ReliantPharmaceuticals, Inc., +1-908-860-4646, investorrelations@reliantrx.com

Web site: http://www.reliantrx.com/http://www.lescolxl.com/