Press Release
<p>FERRING PHARMACEUTICALS PRESENTS DATA ON NEW INFERTILITY TREATMENTS AT THE PACIFIC COAST REPRODUCTIVE SOCIETY MEETING</p>
<p>CONTACT:<br/>
Marilyn Seiger<br/>
Kovak-Likly<br/>
Communications<br/>
203-762-8833 </p>
<p>Rancho Las Palmas, CA – April 22, 2002 – Results of clinical trials evaluating Ferring Pharmaceuticals’ infertility treatments– a human-derived follicle stimulating hormone (hFSH) and a purified human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), which are currently under investigation–were presented at the 50th Annual Pacific Coast Reproductive Society Meeting in Rancho Las Palmas, CA, April 17 to 21, 2002. Four clinical abstracts and two posters were presented. </p>
<p>“These new clinical studies reflect Ferring’s commitment to broadening the existing body of knowledge in the field of infertility, while also providing meaningful data that reflect current treatment trends,” said Wayne Anderson, president of Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. “As specialists in the development of human-derived hormone medications, we look forward to offering physicians even greater treatment flexibility when we receive approval of our new hFSH – the fourth addition to our family of human-derived hormones.” </p>
<p><strong>Same Syringe Mixed Protocol with Diluent</strong><br/>
Ferring’s hFSH and purified hMG were tested to determine if the bioactivities of FSH and LH contained in the two treatments are altered after reconstituting them in the same diluent and mixing them in the same plastic syringe. <br><br>
“This is the first time that FSH and hMG mixed in the same syringe has been tested using sophisticated bioassays,” said Mahendra DeSilva, Ph.D., Ferring’s manager of Professional Services. “Mixed protocols for ovarian stimulation are widely-used, and often combine FSH and hMG in the same syringe to decrease the number of daily injections. Once approved, infertility specialists will be able to mix Ferring’s hFSH and purified hMG in the same syringe with the assurance that the bioactivity of FSH and LH remains unchanged.” </p>
<p>Separate low, medium and high dose bioassays were performed in duplicate, comparing Ferring’s hFSH, purified hMG and FSH and LH Reference Standards. The study demonstrated that Ferring’s hFSH and purified hMG can be reconstituted in 0.9% sodium chloride and combined in the same syringe with no alterations in the bioactivity of FSH or LH. </p>
<p><strong>Ferring’s Purified hMG Comparative Study</strong><br/>
Ferring’s purified hMG was evaluated in a prospective, randomized, parallel group, open-label, multicenter study that compared purified hMG administered subcutaneously (SC) and intramuscularly (IM) to Repronex administered SC in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization. The primary measure of efficacy was the number of oocytes retrieved. Results were positive and were described in detail in posters presented at the meeting. </p>
<p><strong>About Repronex and Ferring</strong><br/>
Repronex is the only human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) approved for both subcutaneous and intramuscular administration. It is also the most frequently prescribed hMG. Repronex, like all gonadotropins, is a potent substance capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including OHSS (incidence of 3.5%), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, in women undergoing therapy for infertility. Only physicians thoroughly familiar with infertility treatment, including the risk of multiple births and adverse reactions, should prescribe Repronex. </p>
<p>Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc., headquartered in Tarrytown, NY, is part of the Ferring Group, a privately owned, international biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology and infertility. For more information, call 1-888-337-7464 or visit the Ferring Web site at www.ferringusa.com. </p>
EUFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate) is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis. It is used in people who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.
Important Safety Information
You should not receive this product if you have had any previous allergic reaction to EUFLEXXA or hyaluronan products. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have a knee joint infection or if you have skin disease or infection around the injection site.
EUFLEXXA is only for injection into the knee performed by a qualified doctor. After you receive this injection you may need to avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour). The safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment cycles of EUFLEXXA have not been established. The safety and effectiveness of EUFLEXXA have not been shown in people under 18 years of age.
Side effects sometimes seen when EUFLEXXA is injected into the knee joint were pain, swelling, skin irritation, and tenderness and these were generally mild and did not last long.
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