New study suggests desmopressin melt improves sleep patterns and psychological functioning of bedwetting children

Innsbruck, Austria – 9 May 2014 –

New data has shown that treatment with melt-in-the-mouth desmopressin (MINIRIN® Melt)* improved sleep patterns and psychological functioning (including attention problems and memory) in children with nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting). The negative impact of bedwetting on children’s neuropsychological functioning (e.g. anxiety and social self-esteem problems) was also shown.^1,2 The data from a study by researchers at the University Hospital Ghent, Belgium was presented at the 25th annual congress of the European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) in Innsbruck, Austria.

Results were based on a study of 30 bedwetting children aged 6-16 years old who were tested before and after six months of desmopressin treatment. Data showed that an improvement in bedwetting following six months of desmopressin treatment corresponded with a significant reduction in sleep disruption, as demonstrated by fewer periodic limbic movements per sleep hour (PLMS index) (p<0.001) and reduced cortical arousals (p<0.01).¹

In addition, bedwetting children showed significant improvements in their psychological functioning after six months of desmopressin treatment. There were significant reductions in parent-reported attention problems (p<0.01), and both internalising (p<0.05) and externalizing (p<0.01) problems. Furthermore, there were significant improvements in quality of life (p<0.01), executive functioning (p<0.01) and auditive memory (p<0.01).¹

Further data from the study presented at ESPU identified which psychological problems were present in bedwetting children as well as which of these problems were related to which specific clinical symptoms. In fact, 80% of bedwetting children in the study had at least one psychological, motor or neurological difficulty.² A positive correlational relationship was shown between the number of wet nights a child experienced and the presence of social problems, and anxiety/depression problems. Conversely, a negative correlational relationship was shown between number of wet nights and social self-esteem.²

Commenting on these findings, Charlotte Van Herzeele, clinical psychologist, Department of Pediatric Nephrology/Urology, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium, said, “We know that bedwetting has a negative impact on the lives of both children and their families. However, these new data suggest that the impact is more profound than previously thought, highlighting the need for parents to seek medical help for their children and explore available treatment options.”

Dr Karlien Dhondt, child psychiatrist, Pediatric sleep centre, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium, said, “The age at which children are most likely to suffer from bedwetting is a crucial time in their psychological and neurocognitive development. This study has shown that treating bedwetting can improve a child’s sleep quality and psychological functioning on a number of parameters.”

Up to 16% of children aged 5 years frequently wet the bed.^3,4 After allergic disorders, bedwetting is the most common chronic childhood condition.⁵  Whilst an extremely common disorder, bedwetting can have a significant psychological impact on those affected and an economic burden on their families.⁶

*Desmopressin melt is indicated for the treatment of bedwetting in 82 countries across the world and it is marketed under several names, including MINIRIN® Melt, Desmomelt® and DDAVP® Melt.

About the study

These data are based on a multi-method (polysomnography (monitoring of sleep), questionnaires, clinical interviews, neuropsychological testing), multi informant (children, parents and teachers were questioned) study of children aged 6 – 16 years, referred to tertiary care and diagnosed with Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis (MNE, or, simply bedwetting) associated with nocturnal polyuria (NP). NP was defined as nocturnal diuresis >100% bladder volume for age. Patients were tested using various different measures before the start of treatment with desmopressin melt and then six months later.^1,2

About desmopressin

MINIRIN® (desmopressin) is a man-made (synthetic) form of vasopressin, a naturally-occurring antidiuretic hormone which controls the balance of water levels in the body.⁷ Desmopressin works by binding to the antidiuretic (V2) receptors in the kidneys, mimicking the effect of the naturally-occurring antidiuretic hormone. This can prevent excessive amounts of water being filtered out of the blood, reducing the volume of urine produced.⁸ Studies on bedwetting have shown that long-term treatment with desmopressin is effective, well-tolerated and can aid long-term improvements in nocturnal dryness.^9,10

– ENDS –

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Headquartered in Switzerland, Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Ferring has its own operating subsidiaries in 55 countries and markets its products in more than 100 countries.

To learn more about Ferring or its products please visit www.ferring.com.

All trademarks mentioned above are property of Ferring B.V.

For more information, please contact

Patrick Gorman
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
+41 (0) 58 301 00 53
patrick.gorman@ferring.com

Emma Coughlan
Tonic Life Communications
+44 (0) 7896 075431
emma.coughlan@toniclc.com

References

1. Van Herzeele, C. 2014. Desmopressin improves sleep pattern and psychological functioning in patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. Poster # S13-3. European Society for Paediatric Urology Congress, 7-10 May 2014, Innsbruck, Austria.
2. Van Herzeele, C. 2014. Correlation between clinical symptoms of nocturnal enuresis and neuropsychological functioning. Poster #S13-5. European Society for Paediatric Urology Congress, 7-10 May 2014, Innsbruck, Austria.
3. Fergusson et al. Behav Psychother 1986;78:884-90
4. Yeung CK et al. BJU Int 2006;97:1069-1073
5. Hjälmås K, Nocturnal Enuresis in children, Barnklinikerna, Ostra sjukhuset, Göteborg. Nordisk Medicin [1998, 113(1):13-5, 15] http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/9465701
6. Tryggve Nevéus et al, Enuresis – Background and Treatment Scand J Urol Nephrol Suppl 206: 1–44, 2000
7. Cornu J et al. A Contemporary Assessment of Nocturia: Definition, Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Management—a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. European Urology 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2012.07.004
8. Nørgaard JP, Harris AS. A passion for Peptides. Published in 2011 by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. ISBN 978-87-994103-0-9 http://biomed.papers.upol.cz/pdfs/bio/2013/01/15.pdf
9. Lottmann H, Baydala L, Eggert P, Klein BM, Evans J, Norgaard JP. Long-term desmopressin response in primary nocturnal enuresis: open-label, multinational study. Int J Clin Pract 2009;63(1):35-45. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19125991
10. Evans J, Malmsten B, Maddocks A, Popli HS, Lottmann H; on behalf of the UK study group. Randomized comparison of long-term desmopressin and alarm treatment for bedwetting. J Pediatr Urol 2011 Feb;7(1):21-9. Epub 2010 Jun 25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20579938

Real-world patient survey data shows negative impact of nocturia

Chronic condition associated with decreased utility, productivity and health-related quality of life (HRQL)

Stockholm – Sunday 13 April 2014 –

New patient survey data presented today at the European Association of Urology (EAU 14) congress, showed that nocturia (waking to void one or more times a night followed by sleep), has a strong negative impact on utility, work productivity and health-related quality of life (HRQL), which increases with the severity of the condition^1,2.

An analysis of survey data drawn from a cross-sectional survey of physicians and their urology patients (n=8738) in Europe and the USA showed that as the number of voids caused by nocturia increased, measures of utility, work productivity and HRQL decreased¹.

A serious consequence of nocturia is the disruption it causes to a patient’s sleep as a result of frequently waking with a need to urinate. In particular, it is the disruption of restorative slow wave sleep in the first four hours that tends to have the biggest effect. Results from a real-world setting showed that the severity of a patient’s nocturia (as measured by the number of hours in the first undisturbed sleep period, (FUSP), had a significant negative impact on their activity levels, how refreshed they felt the next day, the average number of daily naps they took and their HRQL (p<0.0001)².

For those patients getting more than four hours of undisturbed sleep before waking to urinate, there were highly significant improvements in symptom bother, HRQL, activity levels, health status and how refreshed they felt the next day compared to those getting four or less hours of undisturbed sleep (p<0.0001)².

Furthermore, results also showed that as nocturia gets worse (as measured by an increase in number of night-time voids), there was a significant negative impact across all outcome measures including HRQL, utility and work productivity (p<0.0001). Patients that woke to void two or more times per night were significantly more negatively impacted on measures of HRQL, utility and work productivity compared to those patients that voided once or not at all per night  (p<0.001)¹.

Commenting on these results, Professor Bliwise, Professor of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA said: “Nocturia is common and bothersome, but it is often under-recognised as a separate condition and its burden underestimated. This new data highlights the need for physicians to take nocturia seriously, given how profound its impact can be on a patient’s quality of life. For people that suspect they have nocturia, they should visit their doctor to discuss treatment options.”

Sufferers of nocturia consider disturbed sleep to be the most burdensome symptom, and around a third of people with nocturia are unable to get back to sleep after urinating, leading to insomnia³. Given the prevalence of nocturia is high with estimates suggesting 77% of men and women aged 60-80 years suffering, it is important that this condition is recognised and treated accordingly⁴.

About the study

Primary care physicians and urology specialists in France, Germany, Spain, UK and the USA, actively managing urology patients were asked to complete patient record forms prospectively for the next 14 OAB/BPH/nocturia patients who consulted their clinic. The same patients were asked to fill in a self-completion form (PSC) including FUSP duration, mean number of voids over the previous 7 nights, how they felt the next day, and average daily naps (using a 1-10 scale where 1=poor and 10=excellent). The PSC also included measures of utility, HRQL and impact on work/activities (EuroQol 5-D (EQ-5D), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), Nocturia Impact (NI) Diary®, and Work Productivity and Activity Index (WPAI)^1,2.

About Nocturia

Nocturia is a bothersome and highly prevalent condition defined by the International Continence Society as the need to wake one or more times nightly to void with each void preceded and followed by sleep⁵. Studies of the relationship between QoL and nocturia suggest that the condition becomes clinically significant when two or more voids nightly are experienced. Among lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), nocturia is consistently reported to be one of the most bothersome symptoms by men as well as women and significantly compromises sleep and overall QoL⁶. Often trivialised and assumed to be an inevitable part of the ageing process, nocturia is a serious condition with far-reaching social, health and economic implications for patients, their families and society⁷.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Headquartered in Switzerland, Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Ferring has its own operating subsidiaries in 50 countries and markets its products in more than 70 countries.

To learn more about Ferring or its products please visit www.ferring.com.

– ENDS –

For more information, please contact

Patrick Gorman
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
+41 (0) 58 301 00 53
patrick.gorman@ferring.com

Emma Coughlan
Tonic Life Communications
+44 (0) 7896 075431
emma.coughlan@toniclc.com

References

1. Andersson F et al. Negative impact of nocturia on utility, productivity and health-related quality of life: Results of a real world survey of patients in Europe and USA. Abstract number #588 [data presented at EAU 2014, poster session, Nocturia and Nocturnal Polyuria].
2. Bliwise et al. Negative impact of reduced first undisturbed sleep period on utility, productivity and health-related quality of life: Results of a real world survey of patients in Europe and USA. Abstract number #591 [data presented at EAU 2014, poster session, Nocturia and Nocturnal Polyuria].
3. Holm-Larsen T et al. “My sleep pattern is a series of naps.” Subjective patient-reported data on what is most bothersome about nocturia. Abstract number #405 [data presented at EAU 2013, poster session, ‘Nocturia, OAB, metabolic syndrome – towards a new management’].
4. Bing et al, Prevalence and bother of nocturia and causes of sleep interruption in a Danish population of men and women aged 60-80 years. British Journal of Urology International, 98(3), 599-604.
5. van Kerrebroeck P et al. The standardization of terminology in nocturia: report from the Standardisation Sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurol UroL Urodyn 2002;21:179-83.
6. van Dijk MM et al: The role of nocturia in the quality of life of men with lower urinary tract symptoms British Journal of Urology International 2010;105:1141-6.
7. Asplund R. Nocturia: Consequences for sleep and daytime activities and associated risks. European Urology Supplements 2005;3:24-32.

MSD, Ferring Pharmaceuticals and the World Health Organization – Working Together to Prevent Excessive Bleeding in Women after Childbirth

Post-partum Hemorrhage Is Leading Cause of Mothers Dying

Saint-Prex, Switzerland – 4 April 2014 –

Ferring Pharmaceuticals and MSD, known as Merck in the United States and Canada, today announced their collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) to advance a new, proprietary formulation of carbetocin, used to prevent excessive bleeding (post-partum hemorrhage) in women after childbirth, that is designed to be stable at room temperature, even in hot and tropical climates (ICH climatic zone IV). Currently, oxytocin, the standard medicine administered for the prevention of excessive bleeding, is temperature-sensitive and requires sustained cold distribution and storage in hot climates. The WHO will conduct a multi-country clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of room-temperature-stable carbetocin, as compared to oxytocin. The development of a medicine that can be stored at room temperature has the potential to significantly improve management of bleeding following childbirth in the many areas of the world where cold storage is difficult to achieve and maintain, and thereby help reduce maternal deaths in those areas.

Starting this year, the study will take place in 12 countries around the world and enroll approximately 29,000 women. If the results of the study are positive, the organizations will work together with the aim of making the medicine available in developing countries that have a high burden of maternal mortality at an affordable and sustainable public-sector price.

“Few tragedies compare to the death of a mother during childbirth. Obstetric treatments that benefit mother and baby are a key focus of our efforts at Ferring. Ferring originally developed carbetocin and received the indication for the prevention of post-partum hemorrhage more than a decade ago. Ferring is delighted to join with the WHO and MSD in this project that aims to make the benefits of carbetocin available in areas of the world where cold storage is not readily available,” said Michel L. Pettigrew, President of the Executive Board and COO, Ferring Group.

“Mothers hold the future in their hands. That’s why MSD has taken on our 10-year, $500 million fight against maternal mortality,” said Kenneth C. Frazier, chairman and chief executive officer, MSD. “Working with our partners, we can help make a better solution a reality. It would be a real breakthrough to help prevent the number-one cause of women dying in childbirth in the most vulnerable parts of the globe.” Through its MSD for Mothers initiative, MSD is applying its scientific and business expertise – as well as its financial resources – to reduce maternal mortality around the world.

About Carbetocin

Carbetocin is not available in the United States. The WHO study of room-temperature-stable carbetocin will take place in Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda and the United Kingdom.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group, headquartered in Switzerland, and active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Ferring’s obstetric portfolio (available in various countries outside the USA) includes carbetocin, a medicine which prevents post-partum hemorrhage, atosiban, a medicine which delays imminent preterm birth and dinoprostone and misoprostol to be used in connection with labour induction. Ferring has its own operating subsidiaries in 55 countries and markets its products in more than 100 countries.

To learn more about Ferring or its products please visit www.ferring.com.

About MSD for Mothers

Every two minutes, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. If nothing is done an estimated three million women may die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth in the next decade. Most of these deaths are preventable. While the burden falls most heavily on the developing world, certain communities in the United States and other developed nations are suffering significant and worsening rates of maternal death.

MSD for Mothers is a 10-year, $500 million initiative focused on creating a world where no woman has to die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Drawing on the company’s history of discovering innovative, life-saving medicines and vaccines, MSD for Mothers is applying MSD’s scientific and business expertise – as well as its financial resources and experience in taking on tough global healthcare challenges – to reduce maternal mortality around the world.

About MSD

Today’s MSD is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. MSD is a tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., with headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships.

For more information, visit www.msd.com.

– ENDS –

For more information, please contact

MSD Contacts

Media
Jennifer Allen Woodruff
(267) 496-1587

Lainie Keller
(908) 423-4187

Investor
Carol Ferguson
(908) 423-4465

Ferring Contacts

Helen Gallagher
Tel: +41 58 301 0051
Mobile: +41 76 301 0051

Patrick Gorman
Tel: +41 58 301 0053
Mobile: +41 76 301 0053

New paper indicates a potential fifty-percent reduction in cardiac events for prostate cancer patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease when treated with FIRMAGON® (degarelix) compared to LHRH agonists

Saint-Prex, Switzerland – 5 February 2014 –

A paper published today in European Urology, the official journal of the European Association of Urology, indicates that the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist degarelix (brand name: FIRMAGON®), may halve the relative risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and death in men with pre-existing CV disease (CVD) compared to treatment with commonly prescribed luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists. The report is based on a pooled analysis of 2,328 men with prostate cancer from six prospective, randomised trials.¹

Study co-author Jan Nilsson MD, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden, said, “One recent study suggests that cardiovascular disease is among the most common causes of early mortality in men with advanced prostate cancer, not the cancer itself².  As a cardiologist I want urologists to be aware of this and to consider CV risk when selecting treatment options for their patients and analyses such as this are a positive step towards helping them to do just that.”

The paper entitled “Cardiovascular Morbidity Associated with Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists and an Antagonist,” reported that for men with pre-existing CVD at baseline there were ‘significantly fewer cardiac events or deaths’ experienced by patients receiving degarelix (6.5%) compared with patients receiving LHRH agonists (14.7%). A Cox proportional hazard model showed a 56% lower risk of a cardiac event or death during the initial year of treatment for men receiving degarelix compared with men receiving LHRH agonists (CI 0.26-0.74, p=0.002). The absolute risk reduction during the first year was 8.2% which yields a number needed to treat of 12.

Among the men who had no pre-existing cardiovascular disease at baseline there was no difference in the incidence of either death from any cause or the incidence of cardiac events. Moderate alcohol consumption and a low baseline serum testosterone level were the only other predictors of a lower risk of a cardiac event or death.

In the six prospective randomised trials included in the analysis, cancer patients were randomised to receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the form of GnRH antagonist degarelix (1,491) or an existing LHRH agonist (458 received goserelin and 379 received leuprolide). Most patients (72%) received treatment for one year, while the remaining patients were treated for three to seven months. Both treatment groups were well balanced for baseline characteristics e.g. statin medication, elevated blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and history of CV disease. The CV event analysis was based on death from any cause or a serious CV event defined as arterial, embolic / thrombotic; haemorrhagic / ischemic cerebrovascular; myocardial infarction or other ischemic heart disease.

Laurence Klotz MD, Division of Urology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada said, “Androgen deprivation therapies play an important role in the treatment of men with prostate cancer. As these therapies become more widely used and for longer periods of time, we are understanding more about what needs to be done to help patients beyond management of the cancer itself. I believe this analysis provides insights which have the potential to help physicians better manage the cardiovascular health of their androgen deprivation therapy patients – particularly those with pre-existing cardiovascular disease”.

The paper authors note that this post-hoc analysis of prospective randomised trials should be interpreted as hypothesis generating and highlights the need for additional studies.

FIRMAGON® (degarelix) was approved for the treatment of advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer in both the EU and US in 2009. Today it is available in approximately 40 countries around the world, including a growing number in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

– ENDS –

About FIRMAGON® (degarelix)

FIRMAGON® has chemical characteristics and a novel mechanism of action, different from traditionally used hormonal therapies.  Administered as a deep subcutaneous injection, FIRMAGON® rapidly reduces levels of testosterone by blocking the GnRH receptors in the pituitary gland. Blocking the receptors suppresses the release of the luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, resulting in a decrease in production of testosterone by the testicles to castration levels within three days. Prostate cancer is dependent on testosterone for its growth, and reducing testosterone levels slows the growth of cancer cells.

In clinical trials, FIRMAGON® decreased the production of testosterone in a rapid and sustained way.^3,4,5 FIRMAGON® also maintains the PSA control over the long term and reduces the risk of PSA progression.⁶

In clinical trials FIRMAGON® was generally well tolerated. Common side effects are hot flushes, injection site pain and erythema, increased weight, nasopharyngitis, fatigue and back pain.^5,7

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common form of male cancer in the western world,⁸ and the second leading cause of cancer death in men in some countries.⁹ Around 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in Europe each year.¹⁰ Worldwide this figure rises to 670,000 new cases.

For further media information and news alerts on prostate cancer please visit Ferring’s information website www.ProstateCancerLiving.com

About Ferring

Headquartered in Switzerland, Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Ferring has its own operating subsidiaries in 55 countries and markets its products in more than 100 countries.

To learn more about Ferring or its products please visit www.ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Emma Coughlan
Tonic Life Communications
+44 (0) 7896 075431
emma.coughlan@toniclc.com

Patrick Gorman
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
+41 (0) 58 301 00 53
patrick.gorman@ferring.com

© 2014 Ferring B.V.
FIRMAGON® is a trademark owned by Ferring B.V.

References

1. Peter C. Albertson et al. Cardiovascular Morbidity Associated with Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonists and an Antagonist European Urology, Volume 65, Issue 3, Pages 565-573. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2013.10.032
2. Conteduca V, DiLorenzo G, Tartaron A, Aita M. The cardiovascular risk of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists in men with prostate cancer. An unresolved controversy. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 2013; 86:42-51
3. Klotz L et al. BJU Int 2008; 102:1531-1538
4. Firmagon (degarelix).  Summary of product characteristics.  July 2013
5. Tombal B et al. Eur Urol 2010; 57:836-42
6. Crawford ED et al.  J Urol 2011;186(3):889-897
7. Van Poppel H et al. Abstract (23.) Euro Urol Suppl 2007;6(2):28
8. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Available at:  http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/urology/prostatecancer/index.html [Accessed 08 March 2013]
9. American Cancer Society. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_1x_what_are_the_key_statistics_for_prostate_cancer_36.asp [Accessed 08 March 2013]
10. Male Cancer.org. Available at: http://www.malecancer.org/nnm/abouts/leaflets  [Accessed 08 March 2013]

Ferring Pharmaceuticals appoints Alex Chang Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific

Saint-Prex, Switzerland – 1 November 2013 –

Ferring Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has appointed Alex Chang to head the company’s Asia Pacific region effective 1 November 2013. Mr. Chang will report directly to Michel Pettigrew, President of the Executive Board and COO, Ferring Group. As Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Mr. Chang will be responsible for continued development and performance of Ferring businesses in China, Japan, South Korea, South East Asia, India, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

With a career spanning over 24 years in the global pharmaceutical industry, Alex Chang has held positions in Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Taipei, Hong Kong and the United States. As Head of the Asia Cluster at Novartis since 2011, Mr. Chang led nine country operations and 2,700 employees. Prior to Novartis, he held several senior management positions for Janssen in China and Taiwan and for Bristol-Myers Squibb in China and the USA.

“We are happy to welcome Alex to the Ferring team. We are confident that his deep industry knowledge and broad regional experience will contribute to Ferring growth in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Michel Pettigrew, President of the Executive Board and COO, Ferring Group.

– ENDS –

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Headquartered in Switzerland, Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of reproductive health, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Ferring has its own operating subsidiaries in 55 countries and markets its products in more than 100 countries.

To learn more about Ferring or its products please visit www.ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Helen Gallagher
+41 58 301 00 51
helen.gallagher@ferring.com

Patrick Gorman
+41 58 301 00 53
patrick.gorman@ferring.com