New York, New York
March 13, 2002

It is with deep sadness that Aventis has learned of the unexpected and untimely death of Horst Waesche.

"We are shaken and filled with grief over the passing of our friend and colleague Horst Waesche. We extend our condolences to his family and friends. On behalf of the Management Board and the entire workforce of Aventis, we express our deepest sympathy," said Jurgen Dormann, Chairman of the Management Board and Jean-Rene Fourtou, Vice-Chairman.

"Over the many years that we worked together at Hoechst and Aventis, Horst Waesche became a close confidante and friend to me. Without his extensive international experience, excellent judgment of character and talent, as well as his ability to permanently motivate and inspire colleagues and staff, the formation of this new company would not have been the success it was. We owe him a debt of gratitude," Jurgen Dormann added.

Horst Waesche was a member of the Board of Management of Hoechst AG since 1995 with responsibility for many different Group companies, above all in the pharmaceutical and agriculture businesses. As a Board member, he played a decisive role in the complex transformation of the Hoechst Group and participated in the preparations for the merger that led to the formation of Aventis. He was a member of the Management Board of Aventis since the company was founded on December 15, 1999.

Horst Waesche was born on February 5, 1940 in Luneburg, Germany and studied agricultural engineering. In 1966, he joined Hoechst AG. He quickly assumed executive management responsibility and served on the management boards of several Group companies abroad, including those in Singapore, Malaysia and Nigeria. From 1981 to 1995, Horst Waesche served on the management board of Hoechst in Japan and was appointed President in 1987.

At Aventis, Horst Waesche was responsible first and foremost for the agriculture business, and served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Aventis CropScience. He was instrumental in defining and shaping the future prospects of this business and establishing it firmly among the world's leading competitors in the industry.

Horst Waesche passed away unexpectedly on March 13, 2002.