European CHMP Issues Positive Opinion for ATRIPLA(R) (efavirenz 600 mg/ emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY), Gilead Sciences, Inc.
(Nasdaq:GILD) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) announced today that
the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the
European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has issued a positive opinion on the
Marketing Authorisation Application for ATRIPLA(R) (efavirenz
600mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg).
Specifically, the CHMP has recommended ATRIPLA for the treatment of
human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in adults with
virologic suppression to HIV-1 RNA levels of less than 50 copies/ml on
their current combination antiretroviral therapy for more than three
months. Patients must not have experienced virological failure on any
prior antiretroviral therapy and must be known not to have harbored
virus strains with mutations conferring significant resistance to any
of the three components contained in ATRIPLA prior to initiation of
their first antiretroviral treatment regimen.

The CHMP's positive recommendation will be reviewed by the
European Commission, which has the authority to approve medicinal
products for use in the 27 countries of the European Union. The
companies expect the European Commission to issue its decision on the
marketing authorization for ATRIPLA toward the end of the year. Once
granted by the European Commission, ATRIPLA would represent the first
and only once-daily single tablet regimen for many HIV/AIDS patients
in the European Union.

"Each of the components in ATRIPLA has been shown to be effective
and has a well-established tolerability profile in HIV patients," said
Brian Gazzard, MD, Clinical Research Director, Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital, London. "This first one-pill-a-day treatment for HIV
represents a simplification of dosing, which is important as patients
remain on therapy longer."

Efavirenz is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb under the tradename
SUSTIVA(R) in the United States, Canada and six European countries
(France, Germany, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Spain and the United
Kingdom). In other territories, including all other countries of the
European Union, efavirenz is commercialized by Merck & Co., Inc.,
(known as Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) in many countries outside of the
United States) and is marketed in most of these countries under the
tradename Stocrin(R). Emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate
are commercialized by Gilead under the tradenames Emtriva(R) and
Viread(R), respectively, and are commonly prescribed together as a
once-daily, fixed-dose tablet, marketed under the tradename Truvada(R)
for use as part of combination therapy.

The MAA for ATRIPLA in the European Union was filed jointly by the
three companies through a three-way joint venture based in Ireland
called Bristol-Myers Squibb Gilead Sciences And Merck Sharp & Dohme
Limited.

ATRIPLA is currently the first and only once-daily single tablet
regimen approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults in the
United States for use either as stand-alone therapy or in combination
with other antiretroviral agents. ATRIPLA was approved by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2006 and has since become
the most-prescribed treatment regimen for patients starting HIV
therapy in the United States.

The FDA also granted approval of an alternate tradedress of
ATRIPLA for developing countries, where ATRIPLA is being made
available as a white-colored tablet to distinguish it from the
salmon-colored version currently available in the United States. In
August 2006, Gilead and Merck established an agreement for
distribution of the product in developing countries, and in March
2007, the World Health Organization added ATRIPLA to its Model List of
Essential Medicines.

Important Product Safety Information About ATRIPLA (efavirenz 600
mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/ tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) ,
Emtriva (emtricitabine), Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF))
and Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir DF) in the United States

Lactic acidosis and severe hepatomegaly with steatosis, including
fatal cases, have been reported with the use of nucleoside analogues
alone or in combination with other antiretrovirals.

Emtriva, Viread, Truvada and ATRIPLA are not approved for the
treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and their
safety and efficacy have not been established in patients co-infected
with HBV and HIV. Severe acute exacerbations of hepatitis B have been
reported in patients who have discontinued Viread or Emtriva, which
are components of Truvada and ATRIPLA. In some of these patients
treated with Emtriva, the exacerbations of hepatitis B were associated
with liver decompensation and liver failure. Hepatic function should
be monitored closely with both clinical and laboratory follow-up for
at least several months in patients who are co-infected with HIV and
HBV and discontinue Truvada or ATRIPLA. If appropriate, initiation of
anti-hepatitis B treatment may be warranted.

It is important for patients to be aware that anti-HIV medicines
including Truvada, Viread, Emtriva, SUSTIVA and ATRIPLA do not cure
HIV infection or AIDS and do not reduce the risk of transmitting HIV
to others.

Additional Important Information About ATRIPLA in the United
States

ATRIPLA(R) (efavirenz 600 mg/emtricitabine 200 mg/tenofovir
disoproxil fumarate 300 mg) is indicated for use alone as a complete
regimen or in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the
treatment of HIV-1 infection in adults.

Coadministration of ATRIPLA with astemizole, bepridil, cisapride,
midazolam, pimozide, triazolam, ergot derivatives, or voriconazole is
contraindicated. Concomitant use of ATRIPLA with St. John's wort
(Hypericum perforatum) or St. John's wort-containing products is not
recommended.

Since ATRIPLA contains efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir DF,
ATRIPLA should not be coadministered with SUSTIVA(R) (efavirenz),
EMTRIVA, VIREAD, or TRUVADA(R) (emtricitabine/tenofovir DF). Due to
similarities between emtricitabine and lamivudine, ATRIPLA should not
be coadministered with drugs containing lamivudine, including
Combivir(R) (lamivudine/zidovudine), Epivir(R) or Epivir-HBV(R)
(lamivudine), Epzicom(TM) (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine), or
Trizivir(R) (abacavir sulfate/lamivudine/zidovudine).

Serious psychiatric adverse experiences, including severe
depression (2.4%), suicidal ideation (0.7%), nonfatal suicide attempts
(0.5%), aggressive behavior (0.4%), paranoid reactions (0.4%), and
manic reactions (0.2%), have been reported in patients receiving
efavirenz. In addition to efavirenz, factors identified in a clinical
study that were associated with an increase in psychiatric symptoms
included a history of injection drug use, psychiatric history, and use
of psychiatric medication. There have been occasional reports of
suicide, delusions, and psychosis-like behavior, but it could not be
determined if efavirenz was the cause. Patients with serious
psychiatric adverse experiences should be evaluated immediately to
determine whether the risks of continued therapy outweigh the
benefits.

Fifty-three percent of patients reported central nervous system
symptoms (including dizziness (28.1%), insomnia (16.3%), impaired
concentration (8.3%), somnolence (7.0%), abnormal dreams (6.2%), and
hallucinations (1.2%)) when taking efavirenz compared to 25% of
patients receiving control regimens. These symptoms usually begin
during Days 1-2 of therapy and generally resolve after the first 2-4
weeks of therapy; they were severe in 2.0% of patients, and 2.1% of
patients discontinued therapy. After 4 weeks of therapy, the
prevalence of nervous system symptoms of at least moderate severity
ranged from 5% to 9% in patients treated with regimens containing
efavirenz. Nervous system symptoms are not predictive of the less
frequent psychiatric symptoms.

It is recommended that creatinine clearance (CrCl) be calculated
in all patients prior to initiating therapy and as clinically
appropriate during therapy with ATRIPLA, and routine monitoring of
CrCl and serum phosphorous be performed for patients at risk of renal
impairment. ATRIPLA should not be given to patients with CrCl less
than 50 mL/min. Renal impairment, including cases of acute renal
failure and Fanconi syndrome (renal tubular injury with severe
hypophosphatemia), has been reported in association with the use of
tenofovir DF. ATRIPLA should be avoided with concurrent or recent use
of a nephrotoxic agent.

ATRIPLA may cause fetal harm when administered during the first
trimester to a pregnant woman. Women should not become pregnant or
breast-feed while taking ATRIPLA. Barrier contraception must always be
used in combination with other methods of contraception (eg, oral or
other hormonal contraceptives). If the patient becomes pregnant while
taking ATRIPLA, she should be apprised of the potential harm to the
fetus.

Mild-to-moderate rash is a common side effect of efavirenz. In
controlled clinical trials, 26% of patients treated with efavirenz
experienced new-onset skin rash compared with 17% of patients treated
in control groups. ATRIPLA should be discontinued in patients
developing severe rash associated with blistering, desquamation,
mucosal involvement, or fever. Skin discoloration, associated with
emtricitabine, may also occur.

Liver enzymes should be monitored in patients with known or
suspected hepatitis B or C and when ATRIPLA is administered with
ritonavir or other medications associated with liver toxicity.

Decreases in bone mineral density (BMD) have been seen with
tenofovir DF. Cases of osteomalacia (associated with proximal renal
tubulopathy) have been reported in association with the use of
tenofovir DF.

Use ATRIPLA with caution in patients with a history of seizures.
Convulsions have been observed in patients receiving efavirenz,
generally in the presence of known medical history of seizures.

Redistribution/accumulation of body fat has been observed in
patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Immune reconstitution syndrome has been reported in patients
treated with combination antiretroviral therapy, including the
components of ATRIPLA.

Saquinavir should not be used as the only protease inhibitor in
combination with ATRIPLA.

Coadministration of ATRIPLA and atazanavir is not recommended due
to concerns regarding decreased atazanavir concentrations. Atazanavir
and lopinavir/ritonavir have been shown to increase tenofovir
concentrations. Patients on atazanavir or lopinavir/ritonavir plus
ATRIPLA should be monitored for tenofovir-associated adverse events.
ATRIPLA should be discontinued in patients who develop
tenofovir-associated adverse events.

Coadministration of ATRIPLA with didanosine should be undertaken
with caution. Patients receiving this combination should be monitored
closely for didanosine-associated adverse events. See U.S. Full
Prescribing Information for complete list of drug-drug interactions.

In Study 934, the most frequently reported grades 2-4 adverse
events through 48 weeks in patients receiving efavirenz +
emtricitabine + tenofovir DF were dizziness (8%), nausea (8%),
diarrhea (7%), fatigue (7%), headache (5%), rash (5%), sinusitis (4%),
depression (4%), insomnia (4%), and abnormal dreams (4%).

The dose of ATRIPLA is one tablet (containing 600 mg of efavirenz,
200 mg of emtricitabine, and 300 mg of tenofovir DF) once daily taken
orally on an empty stomach. Dosing at bedtime may improve the
tolerability of nervous system symptoms. ATRIPLA is not recommended
for use in patients less than 18 years of age.

For complete U.S. prescribing information for ATRIPLA, visit
www.atripla.com. For complete prescribing information for Sustiva,
visit www.bms.com. For complete U.S. prescribing information for
Truvada, Viread and Emtriva, visit www.gilead.com.

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related
healthcare products company. Visit Bristol-Myers Squibb on the World
Wide Web at www.bms.com.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers,
develops and commercializes innovative therapeutics in areas of unmet
medical need. The company's mission is to advance the care of patients
suffering from life-threatening diseases worldwide. Headquartered in
Foster City, California, Gilead has operations in North America,
Europe and Australia. Visit Gilead on the World Wide Web at
www.gilead.com.

About Merck

Merck & Co. Inc., which operates in many countries as Merck Sharp
& Dohme (MSD), is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company
dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck
currently discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and
medicines to address unmet medical needs. The Company devotes
extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching
programs that not only donate Merck medicines but also help deliver
them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health
information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit
www.merck.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that
term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 regarding product development. Such forward-looking statements
are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and
uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change
any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ
materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can
be guaranteed. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that the
combination product will receive regulatory approval in the European
Union or other geographies. Forward-looking statements in this press
release should be evaluated together with the many risks and
uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, including
those identified in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006 and in our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, particularly under "Item 1A. Risk Factors". Bristol-Myers
Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.

Gilead Forward-Looking Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements, within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that
are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the
risk that the European Commission will not formally approve ATRIPLA
for marketing in the European Union prior to the end of the year or at
all, and any marketing approval, if granted, may have significant
limitations on its use. In addition, Gilead, Bristol-Myers Squibb and
Merck may be unable to reach agreement related to the manufacture,
commercialization and distribution of ATRIPLA in the European Union in
a timely manner or at all. These risks, uncertainties and other
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
referred to in the forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned
not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These and other risks
are described in detail in the Gilead's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2006 and its Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for the first two quarters of 2007, filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are
based on information currently available to Gilead and Gilead assumes
no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Merck Forward-Looking Statement

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that
term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations
and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause results to differ
materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking
statements may include statements regarding product development,
product potential or financial performance. No forward-looking
statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially
from those projected. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements
in this press release should be evaluated together with the many
uncertainties that affect Merck's business, particularly those
mentioned in the risk factors and cautionary statements in Item 1A of
Merck's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006, and in its
periodic reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which the Company
incorporates by reference.

Full U.S. prescribing information for ATRIPLA is available at
www.atripla.com.

Full U.S. prescribing information for SUSTIVA is available at
www.bms.com.

Full U.S. prescribing information for Truvada, Viread and Emtriva
are available at www.gilead.com.

EU Summary of Product Characteristics for Truvada, Viread,
Emtriva, SUSTIVA and Stocrin are available at
http://www.emea.eu.int/humandocs/Humans/EPAR/a-zepar.htm.

ATRIPLA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb & Gilead
Sciences, LLC.

SUSTIVA is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma
Company.

Stocrin is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.

Truvada, Viread and Emtriva are all registered trademarks of
Gilead Sciences, Inc.