King Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth and Jack Nicklaus Announce 2nd Annual Jack Nicklaus Heart and Stroke Challenge to Raise Money for Cardiovascular Research and Education

BRISTOL, Tenn. and COLLEGEVILLE, Pa., July 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Legendary golfer and ALTACE(R) (ramipril) celebrity spokesperson, Jack Nicklaus, hit the ceremonial first tee shot to open the 2nd Annual Jack Nicklaus Heart & Stroke Challenge. The focus of this series of month-long golf events is to raise awareness about the increasing risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke among people age 55 and older.

Money raised through this series of tournaments will be used for cardiovascular disease treatment, research and education. More than 70 million Americans are affected by cardiovascular diseases.

"We are thrilled with this program and proud of the money we raised last year for cardiovascular research," said Mr. Nicklaus. "It is important for all of us to increase our understanding of these diseases and take care of our hearts."

A long-time hypertension sufferer, Mr. Nicklaus worked with King Pharmaceuticals and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals to create the program -- an initiative that stresses the importance of people age 55 and older recognizing the increasing risk for cardiovascular events and talking to their doctors about what they can do to help reduce their risk.

At age 55 and older, heart health should be a priority. * Nearly one in three American adults has hypertension (high blood pressure), which increases the risk for heart complications. * Men and women age 55 and older are at an increased risk for suffering a cardiovascular event such as heart attack, stroke and even cardiovascular-related death compared with those age 45 to 54. -- The likelihood of a first heart attack increases substantially. -- Deaths from heart disease increase 79 percent for people age 55 to 64 when compared with those age 45 to 54.

The general public is invited to enter local golf tournaments at participating golf courses and will have the opportunity to donate money to the charity by purchasing a "mulligan." Each member from the two winning teams at each of the local golf courses participating in the Heart and Stroke Challenge will win a framed lithograph of Nicklaus's farewell at the British Open and will become eligible for a day of golf activities with Jack Nicklaus. Six regional tournaments will be held in California, Ohio, New York and Florida. For more information, please visit http://www.nicklaus.com/.

ABOUT ALTACE(R) (ramipril) ALTACE is marketed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

ALTACE is indicated in patients 55 years or older at high risk of developing a major cardiovascular event, either because of a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease or because of diabetes that is accompanied by at least one other cardiovascular risk factor (hypertension, elevated total cholesterol levels, low HDL levels, cigarette smoking, or documented microalbuminuria), to reduce the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death from cardiovascular causes. ALTACE can be used in addition to other needed treatments (such as antihypertensive, antiplatelet, or lipid-lowering therapies).

Prescription ALTACE is not for everyone. ALTACE may cause swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which could cause extremely serious risk and requires immediate medical care. There have been reports of low blood sugar in patients taking ALTACE with medicine for diabetes. Patients should contact their doctor if they have symptoms of low blood sugar such as sweating or shakiness. Common side effects include persistent dry cough, dizziness, and light-headedness due to low blood pressure.

ALTACE should not be taken during pregnancy, as death or injury to the unborn child may result, or if a person has experienced serious side effects related to previous ACE inhibitors. For more information about ALTACE and for a copy of important Product Information, please visit http://www.altace.com/.

ABOUT KING

King, headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee, is a vertically integrated pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, markets and sells branded prescription pharmaceutical products. King, an S&P 500 Index company, seeks to identify promising opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry through the development, including through in-licensing arrangements and acquisitions, of novel branded prescription pharmaceutical products in attractive markets and the strategic acquisition of branded products that can benefit from focused promotion and marketing and product life-cycle management.

ABOUT WYETH PHARMACEUTICALS

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth , has leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular disease, central nervous system, inflammation, transplantation, hemophilia, oncology, vaccines and nutritional products. Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, biotechnology products and nonprescription medicines that improve the quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, and Fort Dodge Animal Health.