Interview with Ferring’s Executive Chairman marks the first year with the Ferring Philosophy

Lausanne, Switzerland – January 28, 2005 –

Today Ferring Pharmaceuticals published an interview with Executive Chairman, Frederik Paulsen on its corporate website www.ferring.com. Mr. Paulsen talks about the present and what the future may hold for Ferring, but in particular about the Ferring Philosophy and why People come First at Ferring.

Ferring has grown rapidly and spread out so far across the globe that there is a risk of losing sight of the ideals upon which Ferring was founded – ideals that make the company unique. The Ferring Philosophy ‘People come First’ was introduced in January 2004 and encapsulates the ideals of Ferring’s founders.

“It is my conviction and promise that our founder Dr. Frederik Paulsen’s character and virtues, creativity, openness to the world, integrity, respect for others and commitment to conservative financial policies will not be lost in the pursuit of business success and will continue to define Ferring’s corporate culture for the future,’ stated Executive Chairman, Frederik Paulsen. ‘As we go forward we will inevitably face difficult decisions from time to time. By applying the Ferring Philosophy I trust we will make the right choices”.

The Ferring Philosophy, based as it is on respect for others and embodied in the concept that ‘People come First at Ferring’, will allow the company to retain its uniqueness through the years to come.

“We really have more than a moral obligation towards the people we treat and in terms of drug development we must do our best to secure the interest of the patients and produce products of the best quality”, says Frederik Paulsen in the interview, which you can view on www.ferring.com. Here you can also find the Ferring Philosophy.

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 urology, obstetrics and infertility, gastroenterology and endocrinology.

In recent years Ferring has expanded beyond its traditional European base and now has operating subsidiaries in over 40 countries.

For more information, please contact

Mette Nikolajsen
Communications Officer, Ferring International Center
+ 45 28 78 71 98

New ferring.com goes live

Copenhagen, Denmark – December 1, 2004 –

Today Ferring Pharmaceuticals launches its new corporate website. In addition to an all-new design and improved functionality, more than 150 pages of new content allow web visitors to learn about Ferring and in particular its therapeutic areas.

“As a company that has developed rapidly over the past years Ferring needed a new virtual presence with more information about our company activities”, says Michel L. Pettigrew, COO.

In the new therapeutic areas section Ferring provides extensive disease information about the company and about the principle areas of interests: infertility, pre-term labour, inflammatory bowel diseases and bedwetting. In each area the visitor can learn more about the disease, treatment options and even follow animated illustrations of how Ferring’s treatments work on the body’s own terms.

The Ferring Philosophy introduced earlier this year, underlines the importance of creating value for the company stakeholders. “In our Philosophy ‘People come First’ we commit ourselves to only make available those products in which we have full confidence, and in that respect the new website allows our stakeholders to follow our projects from research through development and to learn about the disease areas we operate in”, explains Mr. Pettigrew.

Because Ferring is actively seeking business development opportunities, a section on the new website contains information about Ferring’s areas of interest, current partners and the partnership process. Besides ‘Business development’ and Therapeutic Areas’ the main sections are ‘Research & Development’, ‘News Room’, ‘About Us’ and ‘Working at Ferring’.

Among the new functionalities are a global locator that allows visitors to find Ferring’s offices around the world within seconds and an interactive timeline that tells the Ferring history. At the time of the launch, the visitor will have the opportunity to view Ferring’s corporate video on the homepage. Later, this area will also be used to offer interactive web casts and video streams of Corporate and Scientific events. Executive Chairman, Frederik Paulsen will take part in the first such event later-on in this month.

Please visit our new website on:  www.Ferring.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 urology, obstetrics and infertility, gastroenterology and endocrinology.

In recent years Ferring has expanded beyond its traditional European base and now has operating subsidiaries in over 40 countries.

For more information, please contact

Mette Nikolajsen
Communications Officer, Ferring International Center
+ 45 28 78 71 98
mette.nikolajsen@ferring.com

Mrs. Eva Paulsen, Ferring co-Founder, dies at 86

Lausanne, Switzerland – October 20, 2004 –

Ferring founder, Mrs. Eva Paulsen died last week; at the age of 86.

Eva Paulsen graduated in civil engineering from ‘Polyteknisk Læreanstalt’ in 1942 with chemistry as her specialty. Together with her husband, Dr. Frederik Paulsen, Eva Paulsen founded Ferring, which from small beginnings has grown into a well established multinational group.

While her achievements were numerous, she will be particularly remembered as a scientist for the invention of production techniques for ACTH from porcine pituitary glands and the development of the bowel disorder medication, PENTASA and the heartburn medication, GAVISCON.

Eva Paulsen was highly regarded as Chairman of Ferring A/S both for her creativity and the values she established there.

By virtue of her pioneering spirit, ethical principles and great commitment, Eva Paulsen was respected and liked by all and will be deeply missed.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring is a Swiss research driven, specialty biopharmaceutical company active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynecology, infertility 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 us at www.Ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Corporate Communication
Ferring International Center
ficpress@ferring.com

Degarelix, a new GnRH blocker from Ferring

27th Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie, Hawaii, USA – October 5, 2004 –

Treatment with degarelix, a novel gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) blocker, causes significant reductions in testosterone and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels.

The first results from trials of degarelix in patients were presented today. The new findings from a multi-centre, phase II trial in 129 men and conducted in the United Kingdom support positive results seen from earlier research on degarelix, and move it closer to phase III trials, say doctors involved in the study.

“Degarelix is one of the first drugs in an emerging, novel class of prostate cancer treatments, in a field where new options to treat tumours that are responsive to hormonal manipulation therapy are desperately needed,” commented Mr Philip Weston MCh FRCS (Urol), Consultant Urological Surgeon of Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, UK. “Degarelix potentially offers an alternative for these patients, as it may avoid both the drawbacks associated with traditional agonist therapy, such as the severe flare of disease and symptoms caused by the initial testosterone surge, and the permanence of surgical options.”

“Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men yet there is considerable dispute on when and how best to treat it. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for better treatments,” explained Dr Bo-Eric Persson, Director, Medical Sciences, Urology / Oncology for Ferring Pharmaceuticals, makers of the new compound. “We believe that degarelix has the potential to answer some of these unmet needs in prostate cancer treatment.”

How degarelix works

“The majority of tumours found in newly-diagnosed patients are dependent on testosterone for their continued growth and are linked to raised levels of PSA. Rapidly and directly blocking the body’s normal production of testosterone with degarelix may represent a value for the patients,” Dr Persson continued.

Currently used hormonal treatments for prostate cancer include GnRH agonists. Unlike degarelix, these therapies stimulate the natural hormone’s receptor on the pituitary gland. These agents also have a desired clinical effect, but they stimulate testosterone production before shutting it down. This initial stimulation of the receptors stimulate hormone-dependent tumour growth rather than inhibit it, and may lead to a worsening of cancer symptoms or flare.

Degarelix is designed to target and block the GnRH receptor. This rapidly prevents the production of testosterone and avoids the risk of flare.

New degarelix study findings

The effectiveness of degarelix in suppressing testosterone and reducing PSA levels was studied in the reported randomised, phase II study at 13 centres across the UK. The study compared the effectiveness and safety of three different dosing regimens of degarelix in 129 men with early and late-stage prostate cancer, who had an initial median PSA level of 61 ng/ml and were recommended as candidates for androgen (male hormone) deprivation therapy.

All three dosing schemes of degarelix had fast inhibitory effects on testosterone and PSA levels in a dose-dependent manner.

At the highest dose, 97.5 per cent of patients (n=32) experienced a reduction in testosterone to target levels of less than 0.5 ng/ml within three days of treatment. All the patients in this group reached target suppression levels within the first 28 days and this was sustained in 87.5 per cent of the patients on treatment through to the end of the six-month study period. Five weeks after initiation of treatment the median PSA-reduction in patients on treatment was 90 per cent compared to baseline.

There were no serious adverse events during treatment, however six (4.7 per cent) of the 129 patients withdrew from the study. The most frequently reported adverse reactions to therapy were associated with the drug’s intended action in decreasing secretion of testosterone.

“Degarelix may solve some key problems associated with currently available GnRH agonists and antagonists”, Dr Weston said. “In our study, injection with degarelix rapidly reduced levels of testosterone without the hormonal flare associated with GnRH agonists, and it maintained target levels, resulting in a fast decrease in PSA levels.”

In summary, the researchers conclude, “Results from additional, ongoing, dose ranging studies are required to define the optimal treatment regimen, but these results are extremely encouraging in taking degarelix forward to phase III clinical trials.”

Notes for editors

About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in industrialized societies, accounting for around 1 in 6 male cancer-related deaths. It is currently only exceeded by lung cancer but, with the ageing population, is expected to overtake lung cancer within the next ten years. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2004, 230,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed.

Current Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

Current therapeutic options include surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal manipulation therapy or a combination of these. The approach to treatment is influenced by the patient’s age and co-existing medical problems, though no agreed treatment pathway exists and treatment patterns vary in different countries. Several different hormonal approaches are available for prostate cancer including bilateral orchiectomy (surgical removal of the testicles), GnRH (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone) analogues and anti-androgens.

GnRH agonists versus blockers

Naturally occurring GnRH binds to the GnRH receptor on cells in the pituitary gland, triggering the production of luteinising hormone (LH), which subsequently stimulates the production of testosterone. Both GnRH agonists and blockers bind to this same receptor target.

Agonists work initially by stimulating release of LH and hence testosterone production, but blockers, like degarelix, directly prevent the release of LH, which means there is no surge in testosterone at the start of treatment leading to characteristic flare responses in symptoms and tumour growth. With blockers there is no need to administer a second hormonal agent, called an anti-androgen, normally used to combat the flare responses that accompany the GnRH agonist usage.

Degarelix

Degarelix is a synthetic peptide GnRH blocker, modeled on the body’s own gonadotrophin-releasing hormone.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring 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, infertility 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 us at www.Ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Penny Whitecross / Pat Pearson
Ruder Finn UK Ltd
+44 207 462 8900 (direct)
+44 7796 990 815 (mobile)
pwhitecross@ruderfinn.co.uk

References

1. 1. Weston PMT, Hammonds J, Vaughton et al. Degarelix; a novel GnRH antagonist tested in a multicenter, randomised dose-finding study in prostate cancer patients. 27th Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie, Hawaii, USA 3-7 October 2004. Podium presentation, 5 October.

Volume of urine as a useful indicator of Nocturnal Polyuria

Paris, France – 26 August, 2004 –

Millions of sufferers who take frequent night time toilet visits can now help to diagnose themselves with a simple home test.

A recent study of 1,000 Nocturia patients presented this August at the ICS/IUGA Annual Meeting in Paris found that more than 76% had the troublesome condition known as Nocturnal polyuria. Studies also show that a significant proportion of adults under the age of 65 are losing sleep due to frequent urination at night.¹

The volume of urine a person expels at night is a key indicator in diagnosing whether a problem like Nocturia exists, experts say, and patients now have a way of charting urine output to determine if they have such a problem.

Healthy people of various ages with one or more nightly voiding episodes often experience problems such as sleep deprivation and work impairment. “Lack of sleep due to nightly urination is more than uncomfortable’, say Dr. Poul Jennum, Danish sleep expert. ‘Sleepiness during the day can become a danger to overall health, safety, and strain interpersonal relationships in the workplace.”

Nocturnal polyuria sufferers produce frequent and large discharges of urine at night that account for more than 1/3 of the total daily output.

Treatment with MINIRIN (desmopressin) reduces urine volume by increasing urine concentration. One nightly dose lasts up to 8 hours, and can significantly reduce the need to wake at night for urination. Studies indicate that around 30% of patients experience an undisturbed sleep of 5 hours or more after taking MINIRIN.^2,3,4

Those suffering from lack of sleep due to night time toilet visits now have an important tool to help’diagnose’ their problem. By recording urine output for a few days with a simple Frequency Volume Chart (FVC) (see enclosed), patients can provide valuable data to a doctor evaluating their condition.

Nocturia can also be linked to depression

Sleep deprivation due to nighttime toilet visits can become a chronic problem with serious health consequences. Beyond the body’s sleep threshold, a person will have difficulty undertaking normal daily activities. Cognitive functions such as concentration, memory, and creativity can all be negatively affected, according to experts.⁵

Problems staying alert at work can also affect a person’s productivity. Statistics show that Nocturia sufferers have about a 9.2% reduction in work output, when compared to healthy individuals.⁶

A Swedish study presented in Feb 2004, suggests a strong link between major depression (MD) and Nocturia (≥2 voids per night).⁷ Researchers found a six-fold increase of Nocturia in men (mean age of 48), and a three-fold increase in women with a mean age of 50, associated with major depression.

Treatment Options

Patients experiencing the need to urinate at night (more than once) and who excrete large volumes at night (350 ml or more per void) can try to make lifestyle changes such as limiting consumption of fluids in the late afternoon and evening such as coffee, soft drinks, or tea, experts say.

However, this lifestyle change does not work for most sufferers. Drug therapy is a viable option.

For treatment of Nocturia polyuria, MINIRIN (desmopressin) mimics the action of the naturally-produced antidiuretic hormone vasopressin, by reducing excessive nocturnal urine output.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring is a research driven, speciality biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of endocrinology, gastroenterology, gynecology, infertility 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 us at
www.ferring.com.

For more information, please contact

Sharmi Albrechtsen
Ferring International Center
+45 28 78 72 09
sharmi.albrechtsen@ferring.com

References

1. 1. Paul Abrams et al. Is nocturnal polyuria a key factor in nocturia? Abstract presented at ICS/IUGA 2004.
   2. Mattiasson A. et al. Efficacy of desmopressin in the treatment of nocturia: a double-blind placebo-controlled study in men. BJU Int 2002;89:855-862.
   3. Lose G. et al. Efficacy of desmopressin (Minirin) in the treatment of nocturia: a double-blind placebo-controlled study in women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;189:1106-1113.
   4. Van Kerrebroeck, P., Rezapour, M., Thüroff, J., Cortesse, A. (2002). “Efficacy and safety of oral desmopressin (MINIRIN) in treatment of nocturia in men and women.” Int Urogynecol J 13:S5-S6.
   5. Jennum P. The impact on nocturia on sleep. Presented at First International Nocturia workshop, June, Malta.
   6. Kobelt G et al. Productivity, vitality and utility in a group of healthy professionally active individuals with nocturia. BJU Int 2003;91:190-195.
   7. Asplund R et al. Nocturia and depression. BJU Int 2004;93:1253-1256.

New nocturia section launched on MINIRIN.com

1st August, 2018

In July Ferring’s urology division launched a nocturia section on www.MINIRIN.com in addition to the bedwetting information on the website.

The nocturia section takes the visitor through educational material (patient cases) and information about products, news and events. The expectation is that the site will give doctors and other health professionals high-quality information about the night-time voiding problems associated with nocturia.

“We are now able to provide the online information about nocturia which we believe our internal and external customers expect to find. Also the online information is a good source for raising awareness in GPs that nocturia is a condition on its own,” says the Global Product Manager in Urology.

The nocturia section also aims to support the M&S companies in the 21 countries where the nocturia indication is approved.