EATONTOWN, N.J., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation
(Nasdaq: RPCX) announced today that it has agreed in principle to license from
Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) three developmental compounds.  These compounds
could potentially address some of the unmet medical needs in large, growing
gastrointestinal markets.  As part of the agreement, Lilly will license
Roberts all patent rights covering these products.
    Under the terms of the agreement, Lilly will receive a signing fee,
milestone payments and royalties for products that result from this licensing
agreement.  The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
    Two of the products are being developed for Functional Bowel Disorders
(FBD), including irritable bowel syndrome and non-ulcer dyspepsia.  FBD may
afflict 15%-20% of the world population and the 1995 worldwide FBD market is
estimated at nearly one-billion days of therapy.  Current therapies include
dietary changes, over-the-counter laxatives, antidiarrheals, prescription
antispasmodics and gastroprokinetics that provide limited or erratic treatment
response.  The Lilly compounds licensed to Roberts could offer consumers
improved alternatives and may represent potential breakthroughs for the
treatment of FBD.
    A Phase II efficacy trial has just been completed for the third compound,
tazofelone.  The product will be indicated for the treatment of Inflammatory
Bowel Disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.  The
worldwide IBD market is estimated to be over $350 million, but is also
generally considered to be unsatisfied by existing therapies.  Tazofelone
could offer consumers an important alternative to existing treatments for IBD
and might expand the IBD marketplace.
    Dr. Robert A. Vukovich, President and CEO of Roberts, said "These
compounds significantly enrich the overall potential of Roberts pipeline and
this arrangement with Lilly is another example of Roberts ability to form
important partnerships within the pharmaceutical industry."
    "We are pleased that Roberts, which has a focused commitment towards
product development, will be licensing these products," said Steven M. Paul,
M.D., Lilly vice president, neuroscience research and clinical investigation.
"This is also an excellent example of how Lilly can leverage its pipeline for
compounds it discovers that are outside Lilly's area of current scientific
focus".
    Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation is an international pharmaceutical
company focusing on the acquisition and development of late-stage drugs.
Roberts currently markets its products in seven countries and has operating
subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.
    Lilly is a global research-based pharmaceutical corporation headquartered
in Indianapolis, Ind., that is dedicated to creating and delivering innovative
pharmaceutical-based health care solutions which enable people to live longer,
healthier, and more active lives.
    This release may contain forward-looking statements which reflect
management's current views of future events and operations.  These forward-
looking statements are based on assumptions and external factors, including
assumptions relating to regulatory action and competing products.  Any changes
in such assumptions or external factors could produce significantly different
results.
    This and past news releases by Roberts Pharmaceutical Corporation are
available through PR Newswire's Company News On-Call fax service at
1-800-758-5804, extension 760975 and on the internet at
http//www.prnewswire.com.

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