FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ORGANON REPRESENTATIVES RECOGNIZED AT AMERICAN INFERTILITY ASSOCIATION'S KOKOPELLI BALL FOR OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT TO INFERTILITY ADVOCACY

NEW YORK, Nov. 3, 1999 - Representatives of Organon Inc., makers of the infertility treatment FOLLISTIM® and sponsors of the "START SMART" educational campaign for couples exploring assisted reproductive technology (ART), have been honored by the American Infertility Association (AIA) for their assistance and support of advocacy efforts. Six Organon fertility representatives were recognized at the AIA's recent Kokopelli Ball at the Grand Hyatt Park Avenue. Honorees from Organon include Hazra Ali, Maryann Bonamassa, Kelly De Tample, Nancy Gold, Michael Soreco, and Northeast District Manager Bob Crist.

"AIA exists for the sole purpose of providing immediate, compassionate, informed help to people who are experiencing infertility," said Pamela Madsen, Executive Director of AIA. "Getting involved with AIA can help you turn negative feelings into energy and accomplishment. We are grateful that Organon shares our commitment to help couples combat infertility, and we are pleased to honor members of their team."

Hans Vemer, MD, president of Organon, said, "Organon has spent the last 75 years focusing on improving infertility research and treatment. We are proud to be bringing our knowledge to the prospective parents of New York City. We are honored that our representatives have received this recognition from AIA, and we look forward to future close ties with the Association".

Infertility affects approximately 6.1 million couples in the United States, or about 10 percent of the reproductive age population. The AIA, headquartered in New York City, is an independent national organization dedicated to assisting women and men facing decisions related to family building and reproductive health - from prevention and treatment to social and psychological concerns - and to forward these causes through advocacy, education, awareness building and research funding. Their mission is to serve as a lifelong resource for couples needing reproductive information and support. Specific programs and services include patient meetings, symposia, support groups, a help-line, web site, newsletter, medical referrals and a resource directory.

Organon is one of the business units of Akzo Nobel N.V. Headquartered in Arnhem, The Netherlands, Akzo Nobel serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings, chemicals, and fibers. The company employs 86,000 people in more than 70 countries, in which consolidated sales for 1998 totaled $13.8 billion. In North America alone, Akzo Nobel employs approximately 10,000 people in 125 locations, including its U.S. headquarters in Chicago. Akzo Nobel's North American sales total approximately $3 billion annually. The company's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol AKZOY.

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