Betaferon Demonstrates Robust Reduction in Risk of Developing Multiple
Sclerosis Across All Subgroups of BENEFIT study

Madrid, Spain, September 29, 2006 - Schering AG (FSE: SCH, NYSE: SHR),
Germany, announced today results from the subgroup analysis of the BENEFIT*
study which showed that Betaferon(r) (interferon beta-1b) 250mcg treatment
reduced the risk of developing clinically definite MS (CDMS) consistently
across all subgroups regardless of age, gender, steroid treatment or
symptoms at onset of disease.1 These data were part of the BENEFIT results
which showed that Betaferon 250mcg treatment reduced the risk of developing
clinically definite MS (CDMS) by 50 percent compared with placebo.1,2 The
BENEFIT trial tested patients with one clinical episode suggestive of MS
for a period of up to 24 months. The results were presented at the ECTRIMS
Congress** in Madrid, Spain.
In the subgroup analysis, patients were analyzed based on demographic
characteristics as well as clinical, laboratory and MRI findings at onset
of disease. A robust treatment effect was found across all subgroups, with
a pronounced effect seen in monofocal patients having less clinical
evidence for disease dissemination (55 percent).3 Monofocal patients with
active or disseminated MRI findings suggesting MS showed an even stronger
response to Betaferon treatment with risk reduction of 58 percent and 61
percent, respectively.3  In addition, patients who did not have steroid
treatment after the first episode had a risk reduction of 62 percent.1  It
was previously shown that the majority (85 percent) of patients with one
episode suggestive of MS will, without treatment, develop MS according to
the McDonald criteria4 in two years.
"In the BENEFIT study, we found that Betaferon reduced the risk of
developing MS consistently throughout the study population. Additionally,
we found that certain patient subgroups had an even better response to
early treatment with Betaferon," said Dr. Chris Polman, Professor of
Neurology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Steering
Committee member of the BENEFIT study. "The results should help doctors and
patients in their discussions about starting treatment as early as
possible."
Betaferon was very well accepted in the BENEFIT study, with 93 percent of
patients completing the two-year study period. More than 95 percent of all
patients completing the study have elected to continue with Betaferon as
part of an open-label follow-up study.
"The BENEFIT data shows that patients who may develop MS are willing to
start Betaferon treatment early and continue on it," said Dr Darlene Jody,
Head of Specialized Therapeutics at Schering. "Treatment with Betaferon
demonstrated rapid, early control of progression to definite MS, a
significant benefit for those at risk."
* Betaferon(r)/Betaseron(r) in Newly Emerging MS For Initial Treatment
** 22nd Congress of the European Committee for the Treatment and Research
in Multiple Sclerosis, Madrid, Spain.
References
1.	Polman, C. Differences in natural history and treatment effect of
interferon beta-1b in CIS patients with mono-vs multifocal
presentations: subgroup analysis of the BENEFIT study. Presented at
ECTRIMS 2006
2.	50 percent risk reduction based on adjustment for a standard set of
baseline covariates
3. 	Monofocal onset of disease is where clinical findings are explained
by a single lesion in the central nervous system (CNS). Multifocal onset
of disease is where clinical findings are explained by at least two
underlying CNS lesions. More disseminated MRI findings suggesting MS at
disease onset is where patients have at least 9 lesions on the initial
T2-weighted brain MRI scan. Active MRI at disease onset is where
patients have at least one Gadolinium-enhancing lesion on the initial
T1-weighted brain MRI scan.
4.	Mc Donald criteria make use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for MS
diagnosis: McDonald et al. Recommended Diagnostic Criteria for MS. Ann
Neurol 2001; 50:121-127
Additional information
ABOUT BENEFIT
Patients with a first clinical demyelinating event suggestive of MS and
typical MRI findings received either 250 mcg of interferon beta-1b
(Betaferon(r)) every other day or placebo as a subcutaneous injection.
Treatment continued for up to 24 months unless patients experienced a
second attack and were diagnosed with clinically definite MS.  The two co-
primary efficacy outcomes were time to CDMS, based on a second clinical
demyelinating event or an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)
progression >=1.5 points, and time to MS according to the McDonald
criteria. All study participants completing the double blind study were
then invited to participate in a separate open-label follow-up study with
Betaferon which will prospectively assess the impact of such early
treatment with Betaferon on the long-term course of the disease for a total
observation time of five years, including the impact of early treatment on
the formation of new brain lesions as measured by magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI).
BENEFIT patients included those who had a first clinical demyelinating
event either monofocal (i.e. clinical evidence of a single lesion) or
multifocal (i.e.clinical evidence of more than one lesion). Inclusion of
both patient groups is important because this is representative for the
patient population with a single event.
ABOUT BETAFERON
Betaferon(r)/Betaseron(r) was the first disease-modifying drug introduced for
MS and is a well-established treatment around the world. Betaferon has the
broadest experience of any MS medication. In the US, Europe and Japan,
Betaferon has been approved for all relapsing forms of MS. It is able to
reduce the number of MS episodes by one third, and the frequency of
moderate to severe episodes by as much as 50 percent. Sixteen years' follow
up of people treated with Betaferon has shown that it is safe and well
tolerated.

Schering AG is a research-based pharmaceutical company. Its activities are
focused on four business areas: Gynecology & Andrology, Oncology,
Diagnostic Imaging as well as Specialized Therapeutics for disabling
diseases. As a global player with innovative products Schering AG aims for
leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. With in-house R&D and
supported by an excellent global network of external partners, Schering AG
is securing a promising product pipeline. Using new ideas, Schering AG aims
to make a recognized contribution to medical progress and strives to
improve the quality of life: making medicine work

It is planned that Schering AG will be renamed Bayer Schering Pharma
Aktiengesellschaft. A corresponding resolution was passed at the
Extraordinary General Meeting of Schering AG on September 13, 2006. Until
the name change has been registered in the commercial register, the company
will continue to operate under the name Schering AG. According to the
resolution of the General Meeting, the Executive Board will not file an
application for registration before December 1, 2006.

This press release has been published by Corporate Communication of
Schering AG, Berlin, Germany.

Your contacts at Corporate Communication:
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