Ferring Pharmaceuticals Announces Board Changes

Saint-Prex, Switzerland – September 25, 2007 –

Ferring Pharmaceuticals today announced changes to the company’s Board of Directors. Effective immediately, Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg will become a new non-executive member of the Board. The Countess (formerly Princess Alexandra of Denmark) has a career background in marketing and is involved in philanthropic pursuits as Patron for UNICEF Denmark and the Danish Society for the Blind. As Patron for UNICEF the Countess has traveled to Thailand and among others visited HIV/AIDS patients.

Frederik Paulsen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals commented, “We are very pleased that Countess Alexandra will be joining our Board of Directors. Her combined business education, marketing career and philanthropic experience will be very valuable for Ferring in the application of business ethics and the further development of our corporate social responsibility activity and company philosophy”.

At the same time Ferring announces the retirement from the Board of Dr. John McGuire. John McGuire joined Ferring in 2004 both as President of its Research Institute and as a member of the Board of Directors. He has decided to step down from the Board for health reasons.

Frederik Paulsen added, “Whilst we are sad to announce the departure of Dr. John McGuire. I would like to thank him for his contribution to Ferring over the past few years and to wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Hélène Ploix and Dr. Bernd Wolff continue in their roles as Directors on the Board, and Jeffrey D. Hobbs continues in his role as Vice Chairman.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

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 endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynaecology and obstetrics, fertility and urology.
In recent years Ferring has expanded beyond its traditional European base and now has operating subsidiaries in over 40 countries. To learn more about Ferring or our products please visit www.ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Helen Gallagher or Michael George
Corporate Communications
+41 58 301 0051 / +41 58 301 0053
helen.gallagher@ferring.com or michael.george@ferring.com

New data demonstrates both cost and efficacy benefit of MENOPUR® compared to recombinant FSH treatment

Lyon, France – 2 July, 2007 –

New data presented today at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) 2007 congress shows that there is a cost saving of IVF treatment with MENOPUR® (menotrophin), a human-derived gonadotrophin containing both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gonadotrophin driven luteinizing hormone activity compared with Gonal-F which contains only recombinant FSH (rFSH). MENOPUR® offered considerable cost savings when compared to Gonal-F.¹

Europe is currently facing an unprecedented ageing population and falling birth rates. The long term socio-economic consequences of falling birth rates, of which infertility is one of the contributing factors, are being highlighted by experts as an area of serious concern. With the current decline in population size, it is estimated that by 2050, one in three Europeans will be aged over 65 years. A total fertility rate (TFR) of around 2.1 children per women is needed to maintain the current population size; however, birth rates are on average closer to 1.50 children per woman.² In this context, assisted reproductive technology (ART), is increasingly important.

In addition, results of a meta-analysis of combined data from several studies suggest that treatment with MENOPUR (as the most widely-used human menopausal gonadotrophin preparation) provides benefits in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates when compared with rFSH alone.³ This data is in line with data presented at ESHRE 2006 .

Dr M Afnan, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, Assisted Conception Unit, United Kingdom, one of the key study investigators says “These data provide evidence to support the use of MENOPUR as the first-line treatment option in women undergoing assisted reproduction technology (ART) treatments, as essentially the ultimate aim of any infertility treatment has to be the live birth of a child.”

Cost efficacy data results¹

Data from both MERiT (Menotrophin vs. Recombinant FSH in vitro Fertilization Trial)⁴, the largest, prospective, randomized assessor-blind trial in IVF, and another large trial EISG (European and Israeli Study Group)⁵ were combined in order to increase statistical power on which to base the analysis.¹ Both trials, with similar designs, compared MENOPUR®, a treatment containing both FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and hCG-driven (human chorionic gonadotrophin) LH-activity (luteinizing hormone), and Gonal-F, which contains only recombinant FSH (rFSH).

Based on the combined trial data, the average IVF costs per person with 95% bootstrap confidence intervals (CI) after one treatment cycle for MENOPUR and the recombinant treatment were £2,408 (CI:£2,392; £2,421) and £2,660 (CI:£2,644; £2,678) (p<0.01) respectively. When maternal and neonatal costs were applied to live birth data, including costs of multiple pregnancies and complications such as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) the average cost per delivery with MENOPUR equates to one additional IVF cycle provided every 9.5 cycles commissioned. For all cycles assessed, MENOPUR remained cost saving when all cost input variables were varied within specified ranges in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Meta-analysis data³

Meta analysis was performed on a total of seven trials. A total of 1076 and 1083 patients were treated with hMG, the most widely-used hMG preparation being MENOPUR; and the most commonly administered rFSH (Gonal F).

There was a significant increase in live birth rates of 18% following hMG treatment compared with rFSH administration (RR 1.18 [95% CI 1.02-1.381], p=0.03; heterogeneity p=0.97); this was maintained regardless of the model used for pooling. Similarly, there was a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate of 17% with hMG versus rFSH (RR 1.17 [95% CI 1.03-1.34], p=0.02; heterogeneity p=0.99).

In contrast, there was no significant difference in the treatment quantity used between the two treatment groups (WMD 42.08 [95% CI -71.74-155.901], p=0.47); however, this was associated with a high degree of heterogeneity (p=0.006). Analysis of the Number needed to treat (NNT) curve showed that for a 25% baseline chance of pregnancy with IVF, the number needed to treat to get an additional live birth with hMG compared with rFSH was 23 [95% CI 11-200].

MENOPUR®

MENOPUR® is well-tolerated,⁵ and a recognised high quality treatment associated with a significantly higher ongoing pregnancy rate in IVF cycles compared with that seen for women treated with rFSH alone.^3,6 It belongs to a class of drugs known as gonadotrophins and contains both FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and hCG-driven (human chorionic gonadotrophin) LH-activity (luteinizing hormone). MENOPUR® is used to stimulate the development of multiple follicles in women participating in an ART programme.

MENOPUR® is used by over 75,000 patients each year and is currently licensed in over 50 countries across the world.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

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 fertility, obstetrics, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Ferring’s fertility portfolio of treatments gives infertile couples the chance to have babies and includes its flagship brand MENOPUR®, a recognised high quality treatment for infertility. Ferring has operating subsidiaries in over 40 countries. To learn more about Ferring or our products please visit www.ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Michael George
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
+41 58 301 00 53
FICCorporateCommunications@ferring.com

References

1. Data presented at ESHRE 2007.Kennedy, R. Oral presentation 52. 02/07/2007.
2. Dr Jonathan Grant, RAND Europe. The demographic and economic impact of ART. State of the A.R.T. 2007.
3. ESHRE Lyon 2007. Abstract number 0098. Statistically significant increase in live births with hMG in IVF and ICSI cycles versus rFSH: results from a systematic review. Accessible at: http://www.eshre.com/emc.asp?pageId=902 . Last accessed 15 June 2007.
4. Nyboe Andersen A, Devroey P, Arce J-C for the MERIT (Menotrophin vs Recombinant FSH in vitro Fertilisation Trial) Group. Clinical outcome following stimulation with highly purified hMG or recombinant FSH in patients undergoing IVF: a randomised, assessor-blind, controlled trial, Human Reproduction 2006; 21:3217-27).
5. European and Israeli Study Group on Highly Purified Menotropin versus Recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone. Efficacy and safety of highly purified menotropin versus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles: a randomized, comparative trial. Fertil Steril 2002; 78(3): 520-528.
6. Data presented at ESHRE 2006. Sørenson, P. Live birth rate in IVF cycles is significantly higher after stimulation with highly purified menotrophin compared with recombinant FSH. Human Reproduction, 2006; 21, suppl. 1: i124 (Poster number 322, 19/06/2006).

Inequality in treatment access remains a key issue for infertile couples across Europe

Public policy research demonstrates that improved access to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) has a positive impact on society

Lyon, France – 2 July, 2007 –

Medical, political and demographical experts drawn from across the globe have come together this week to discuss the ongoing challenges associated with access to infertility. Leaders in their respective fields are calling for infertility to be recognised as a serious, growing European human, health and economic issue where barriers to treatment need to be lifted.

The consequences of an ageing and declining population and the socio-economic issues that come with them warrant serious consideration. One strategy for addressing these concerns is increasing access to assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help infertile couples achieve their desired family size. European economic analysis of ART policy has shown this strategy to be cost-effective when compared with existing pronatalist policies.¹

Infertile couples and infertility advocacy groups have long campaigned for the access to ART. This view is supported by a growing number of politicians who feel that ART warrants serious political support, not only in putting the case of infertility firmly on the healthcare agenda, but also in addressing the issue of an ageing population.

Senator Mary Henry, MD, comments, “Infertility is becoming increasingly common. It can be a deeply personal issue for those affected and people are often reluctant to speak out due to the stigma that is sometimes associated with the condition.” She continues, “We need to ensure that infertile couples receive the support and resources they need. We also should provide practical guidance on ART across Europe.”

In taking a holistic approach to healthcare, the emotional burden and consequences of infertility must also be considered. Sandra Dill, Chair, International Consumer Support for Infertility, a charity committed to providing comprehensive support network to the many couples affected by infertility says, “Infertility can be an extremely isolating experience for those it affects. It is vitally important that the debilitating impact of infertility is recognised and people receive the support they need to access the best care and treatment available.”

Shrinking Europe

With the current decline in population size, it is estimated that by 2050, one-in-three Europeans will be aged over 65 years. A total fertility rate of around 2.1 children per woman is needed to maintain the current population; however, birth rates are on average closer to 1.50 children per woman.²

Dr Jonathan Grant of RAND Europe, the independent think tank that continues to conduct research into the demographic and economic impact of ART in Europe says, “Our research has shown the potential that ART has on mitigating the consequences of falling birth rates in Europe. Although the relative impact of ART on the economic and demographic factors is small, it is comparable with other policies. The inclusion of ART in a population policy mix could provide a step in the right direction to help increase fertility rates.”

Professor Paul Devroey, of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Free University of Brussels in Belgium says, “Research published this month supports the trend showing that European countries that have greater funding for and access to ART have more live births through this treatment option. For example, Denmark reimburses the cost of up to six ART cycles and, in 2003, 3.9% of children born were a result of ART. Whereas in the UK, guidelines recommend that up to three ART cycles be reimbursed by the NHS and only 1.5% of children born were a result of ART.”³

Funding Fertility

Currently, authorities across Europe are challenging the affordability of A.R.T. and often ration access to services which can result in inequality of treatment access. For example, the UK’s National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends three fresh cycles of IVF should be provided for infertile couples while the majority of health commissioners presently fund no more than one fresh cycle per couple. Further research into the demographic and social impact of ART is needed.

Dr Dirk Schneider, Medical Director, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Ferring, says, “Ferring is committed to offering infertile couples the all important chance of having a family and to providing innovative treatment solutions. As part of our ongoing commitment to ART, we are proud to support the State of the ART conference which has brought together stakeholders from a variety of disciplines focused on one common goal – improve patient care and access to treatment for infertility.”

About RAND Europe

RAND Europe is a non-profit organisation that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and objective analysis.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

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 fertility, obstetrics, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology. Ferring’s fertility portfolio of treatments gives infertile couples the chance to have babies and includes its flagship brand MENOPUR®, a recognised high quality treatment for infertility. Ferring has operating subsidiaries in over 50 countries. To learn more about Ferring or our products please visit www.ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Michael George
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
+41 58 301 00 53
FICCorporateCommunications@ferring.com

References

1. Hoorens S., Gallo F., Cave J.A.K., Grant J.C. Can assisted reproduction technologies help to offset population ageing? An assessment of the demographic and economic impact of ART in Denmark and UK: Case Report, Human Reprod Advance Access, June 23, 2007.
2. Grant J., Hoorens S., Sivadasan S., van het Loo M., DaVanzo J., Hale L., Gibson S., Bitz W. Low Fertility and Population Ageing. View
3. Anderson Nyboe A., Goossens V., Gianaroli L., Felberbaum R., de Mouzon J., Nygren K.G. Assisted reproductive technology in Europe, 2003. Results generated from European registers by ESHRE. Hum Reprod 2007;22 No. 6:1513-1525.

Dongbao to acquire Ferring’s Malmö manufacturing operation

Saint-Prex, Switzerland and Shanghai, China – 17 November, 2006 –

Ferring Pharmaceuticals and Shanghai Dongbao Biopharmaceutical Company announced today the signing of an agreement by which Dongbao Biopharmaceutical will purchase Ferring’s manufacturing operation at Malmö in Sweden.

Earlier this year, Ferring informed staff of its plan to cease manufacturing at Malmö by the end of March 2008. However, the acquisition by Dongbao Biopharmaceutical has secured the jobs of around 50 members of staff. The agreement will become effective on 1 January, 2007.

“From the very beginning, our aim has been to find a solution which would maintain the Malmö production site,” commented Ferring Pharmaceuticals Chief Operating Officer, Michel Pettigrew. “This agreement is a boost for the local community and has secured the long-term future of the factory for around 50 employees, whose experience will be invaluable to Dongbao Biopharmaceutical.”

“We see great potential for the manufacturing centre at Malmö”, added Dr George Li, President of Dongbao Biopharmaceutical. “The site is technically very developed and the current team, who will be an important part of our future business development, offer a lot of knowledge and competencies.”

About Dongbao Biopharmaceutical

Shanghai Dongbao Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is part of the business operation of Dongbao Enterprise Group Co., Ltd., which is one of the leading biopharmaceutical groups in China. In recent years, Dongbao Group has successfully developed from a traditional pharmaceutical company into a high-tech biopharmaceutical company. As one of the most important divisions of Dongbao group, Shanghai Dongbao Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is handling the group’s international development strategies.

For more information about Dongbao, please visit www.dongbao.com.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring is a Swiss-based research driven, speciality biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynaecology, fertility and urology. In recent years Ferring has expanded beyond its traditional European base and now has offices in over 40 countries.

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

For more information, please contact

Michael George
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
+41 58 301 00 53
FICCorporateCommunications@ferring.com

Dr. George Li
Shanghai Dongbao Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.
+86 21 639 10001
george@dongbao.com

Symposium looks at potential of mesalazine to prevent colorectal cancer in IBD (14th United European Gastroenterology Week, 21-25 October 2006)

Berlin, Germany – October 24, 2006 –

Speaking today at a Ferring-sponsored symposium on the occasion of the 14th United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) congress, Christoph Gasche, Associate Professor of Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria presented the findings of an in-vitro study which for the first time demonstrates a mode of action by which mesalazine may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients.

Doctors have been treating the symptoms of IBD very effectively over many years to improve the quality of life for patients. Whilst previous studies suggest that long-term maintenance therapy with aminosalicylates, such as mesalazine, may diminish the disease activity, theories now indicating that molecules such as mesalazine may also have a long-term additional benefit of reducing the otherwise increased risk of such patients developing colorectal cancer.^1,2

Professor Gasche has identified two related modes of action which explain this phenomenon. According to his research, treatment with mesalazine initially activates a cell cycle checkpoint during the S Phase of the cell cycle when replication of the potentially cancerous cells takes place.³ This slows down the cell replication, which then improves the fidelity of the replication so that less code errors are made. Mesalazine has been shown to reduce the error rate by 20%.⁴

For Professor Gasche, the lesson of these findings is clear. “For people with colitis and a risk of IBD, taking mesalazine on a regular basis could prevent cancer in the long-term.”

It has been estimated that in patients with extensive ulcerative colitis the incidence of developing colorectal cancer after 30 years is as high as 18%.⁵ As such, colorectal cancer is a very serious complication and causes 1 in 6 of all deaths in people aged below 50 years who suffer from IBD.⁶

Speaking at the same symposium, Michael Kamm, Professor of Gastroenterology and Chairman of Medicine at St Mark’s Hospital, London, UK, outlined previous studies which showed that treatment with mesalazine could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 81%.¹

“Patients with ulcerative colitis are often aware of their increased risk of colorectal cancer, and are keen to reduce that risk”, comments Rod Mitchell, Chairman of the 23-member association IBD patient group, the European Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (EFCCA). “The results of Prof Gasche’s research provide us with new evidence which may move us further along this complex pathway so helping to reduce that risk.”

– Ends –

Notes for editors

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD describes a range of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal system, encompassing Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD). IBD is characterised by intermittent flares with debilitating symptoms (such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and weight loss) that can result both in a significant worsening of the patient’s quality of life as well as causing emotional distress and social isolation. In addition, patients can also suffer from a number of serious complications of the disease and may require life-long treatment and often surgery.

Both CD and UC are ongoing diseases and, although symptoms may disappear with treatment, they tend to come back over time. Thus, patients are at risk of future attacks unless they continue to take their medication to keep them in remission.

During the acute, active phase of IBD doctors may prescribe stronger therapies to control the inflammation, despite their potential harmful effects, if they will help the patient get better. However, side effects from a treatment being used for maintenance therapy are far less acceptable. Since patients will most probably have to take these medications over their entire lifetime, they must be both effective and safe. Mesalazine fulfils these requirements, as well as being convenient for the patient.

Incidence of IBD

IBD is mainly a condition of the industrialised world. It affects men and women equally and all races, although it is more common in some races than others. In Northern Europe and the USA, the number of people affected by UC is approximately 120-270 per 100,000 – that is 1 in every 370-830 people^7,8,9 – with between 3-25 new cases per 100,000 people diagnosed each year.

For CD, the number of people affected is approximately the same, with 145 per 100,000 affected, and between 6-8 new cases per 100,000 people diagnosed each year.^7,8,9 However, unlike UC, the number of new cases of CD each year is increasing, particularly in young people, although the reasons for this are unclear.¹⁰

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring is a Swiss-based research driven, speciality biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynaecology, fertility and urology. In recent years Ferring has expanded beyond its traditional European base and now has offices in over 40 countries. To learn more about Ferring or our products please visit www.ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Michael George
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
+41 58 301 00 53
FICCorporateCommunications@ferring.com

References

1. Eaden J, Abrams K, Ekbom A, Jackson E, Mayberry J. Colorectal cancer prevention in ulcerative colitis: a case-control study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2000;14:145-153.
2. Van Staa TP et al. Gut. 2005; 54: 1573-1578.
3. Luciani MG et al, Gastroenterology 2006, in press.
4. Gasche C et al, Cancer Res 2005; 65:3993-7.
5. Eaden et al. Gut 2001; 48: 526-535.
6. Gyde S et al. Gastroenterology 1982; 82: 36-43.
7. Rubin GP et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2000; 14(12): 1553-1559.
8. Farrokhayr F et al. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2001; 36(1): 2-15.
9. Satsangi J and Sutherland L (2003) In: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Churchill Livingstone.
10. Loftus EV et al. Gastroenterology 1998; 114: 1161-1168.