Ferring Kicks Off Campaign for Newest Product NORPROLAC at the International ESHRE Conference in Berlin

ESHRE, Berlin – 29 June, 2004 –

Ferring France officially launches NORPROLAC, as a first start to a world-wide campaign.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals will likely cause a stir in the French market as it begins promotions next month for the infertility drug NORPROLAC in Paris. With its new campaign, Ferring hopes to establish NORPROLAC as a strong competitor among market leaders DOSTINEX (Pfizer) and PARLODEL (Norvartis).

The NORPROLAC launch represents Ferring’s initiative to strengthen its growing infertility drug profile in the global market. Ferring’s goal is to increase sales of NORPROLAC through active promotion and support.

“Though it’s been available for a number of years, promotional support has been very limited’, said Mark Noggle, Senior Business Development Director at Ferring, Copenhagen. ‘Based upon the outstanding product profile there is considerable opportunity for Ferring to expand with NORPROLAC.”

NORPROLAC is used to treat infertility in patients suffering from Hyperprolactinaemia, a disease with an excess level of the hormone Prolactin. The most common cause of Hyperprolactinaemia is growth of a prolactin-secreting (benign) tumor on the pituitary gland called a prolactinoma. This condition leads to infertility in a number of women.

Full Speed Ahead

The marketing offices at Ferring France have been abuzz with activity lately as the staff prepares for the upcoming product launch. As Ferring waits for the official go-ahead from the French Health Authority AFSSAPS, employees are attending special training seminars for the NORPROLAC campaign.

Ferring’s initial NORPROLAC activities will focus on professionals in the field. “NORPROLAC has been available for a number years through another pharmaceutical company, however we at Ferring are excited to take over this new business opportunity which will further strengthen the existing Ferring infertility portfolio,” said Nathalie Cockenpot-Roncin, Group Product Manager of Infertility and Obstetrics at Ferring France. The Paris office will provide doctors with information on NORPROLAC through presentations, mailed leaflets, and other printed material.

Ferring France expects NORPROLAC sales growth of 20% by 2005. They hope to become one of the key players by 2009.

With a solid base of pre-established customers, Ferring believes that now is a beneficial time to expand and begin the new NORPROLAC campaign, says Business Development Director Mark Noggle.

NORPROLAC sales in the European market was approximately 5.3 million euros for 2003 and market experts project sales of 6 million euros for this year.

Ferring is also preparing for the September relaunch of NORPROLAC in Canada with the Germany, Spain and Scandinavia to follow. In the future, the company will focus on expansion into Italy and the US market.

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 or Laura Hrastar
Ferring International Center
+45 28 78 72 09
sharmi.albrechtsen@ferring.com

Experts confirm LH activity as an essential component in infertility treatment

ESHRE, Berlin – 29 June, 2004 –

Ferring leads the way with an ESHRE symposia focused on the role of LH and hCG in the reproductive system and its implications for better infertility treatment

Infertility specialists from around the world confirmed that the activation of LH/hCG receptors in the uterus, fallopian tubes and early embryos may result in important pregnancy promoting actions during the complicated process of ART (Assisted Reproductive Techniques) and IVF.

Indeed, the receptor actions may be strong enough to work in the prevention of miscarriage and preterm delivery. (ref1) New data also suggests that hCG/LH activity may have a beneficial effect on the blood flow in the endometrium consequently improving the chances of successful egg implantation.

Most specialists see the importance of LH activity during the follicular phase in ovarian stimulation but the newest data focuses on the actions of non gonadal organs which are important in the pregnancy process and also contain more LH/hCG receptors.

‘We are forcing a shift in the old paradigm that LH and hCG are strictly gonadal regulating hormones. These ‘other’ receptors distributed throughout the body encompass a total body approach when trying to improve IVF pregnancy rates’, said Prof. C.V Rao of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health at the University of Louisville, Kentucky.

For example, human fallopian tubes have the highest amount of LH/hCG receptors in the epithelial cells which promote gamete maturation, fertilization and early embryonic growth and development and transport of the embryo in the uterus.

Scientists concluded that influencing various organs that are partners in the reproductive system may strengthen early stage development of embryos and prevent miscarriages in assisted reproduction techniques.

The new data is particularly relevant for the infertility treatment MENOPUR which contains a combination of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) –activity similar to those involved in the natural reproductive cycle. In MENOPUR the LH activity primarily descends from the hormone hCG which also naturally occurs in the product.

Today’s symposia findings also support data published in the May issue of Fertility and Sterility which suggested that women undergoing IVF treatment with MENOPUR had a significantly improved chance of becoming pregnant.

The publication was based on a sub-analysis of the landmark trial EISG (European-Israeli Study Group) which was designed to demonstrate non-inferiority of MENOPUR (HP-hMG) when compared with GONAL F (rFSH, Serono Group) in more than 700 IVF and ICSI patients.

The sub-analysis showed the following results: the ongoing pregnancy rate in the 233 women who underwent IVF was significantly higher in the MENOPUR group (31%) compared with the GONAL F group (20%), (p=0.037) . – a difference of 50%.

The study analysis also showed that although less oocytes were retrieved in the MENOPUR group vs. GONAL F, MENOPUR appeared to have a clear beneficial effect on the pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF.

According to the sub-analysis, adequate hCG levels during treatment with MENOPUR group appear to have a favourable impact on ongoing pregnancy rates in IVF and ICSI patients, but more markedly in IVF.

The sub-analysis authors suggest that the beneficial effect of the LH activity in MENOPUR seen in IVF patients could also be mediated by cumulus oophorus cells which are present during the IVF and not during the ICSI procedure.

To confirm the sub-analysis results, Ferring launched a state-of-the-art prospective, multi-national, comparative study powered to demonstrate superiority of MENOPUR vs GONAL F in IVF patients on ongoing pregnancy rate. The study called MERiT will be the largest, international prospective superiority trial comparing MENOPUR vs. GONAL F in IVF.

‘We would like to define evidence based medicine in IVF by identifying the most efficient interventions that will results in pregnancy and reduce risks for our patients,’ said Dr. Pascal Danglas, vice-president of Clinical and Product Development at Ferring.

The ESHRE session was sponsored, through an unrestricted educational grant, by Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a global leader in developing treatments for infertility. Ferring’s product MENOPUR, licensed for use in Europe for the treatment of infertility contains both luteinizing hormone activity as well as follicle stimulating hormone.

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

International experts recommend that children who want to be treated for bedwetting should be offered desmopressin or alarm therapy

Saint-Prex, Switzerland – 27 June, 2018 –

Guidelines Published in the June Issue of Journal of Urology

Ferring Pharmaceuticals, known for its commitment to paediatric health, is pleased to announce that the international medical community has published guidelines for treating children suffering from bedwetting (noctural enuresis).

Ferring has been a frontrunner with treatment of Primary Nocturnal Enuresis (PNE/bedwetting). The company’s product MINIRIN (Desmopressin) has been used successfully by millions of children for more than 30 years and is recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The International Children’s Continence Society (ICCS) published guidelines in the Journal of Urology (June issue) for managing nocturnal enuresis (bedwetting).¹

The goals of this management strategy are:

• • to make life more endurable for the child and his/her family
  • to reduce the risk for life-long nocturnal enuresis

“Ferring is extremely pleased with these recommendations’, said Michel L. Pettigrew, COO. ‘Bedwetting affects millions of children world-wide. It can be successfully treated, we are glad that experts are recommending parents to seek help and ask their GP, health visitor or school nurse about the treatments available to them.”

Recommendations for Treating Bedwetting

Effective management of bedwetting can make an enormous difference to a child’s and parents’ life. Experts recommend that a child who wants to be treated for his/her bedwetting should be offered such treatment. The child should be older than 6 years before treatment is undertaken as younger children are rarely capable of investing the time and energy required to become dry.

While counseling the child on regular drinking and voiding habits can be successful – only 18% of children became dry using this approach.

For the greater majority of children, the ICCS recommends the first-line treatments of desmopressin therapy, alarm therapy or a combination of the two modalities. It is essential to seek the assistance of a doctor to decide which treatment would be best suited.

Desmopressin treatment

Desmopressin (MINIRIN) is a vasopressin analogue with profound antidiuretic activity.

Desmopressin reduces the number of wet nights by lowering night time urine production and is approved as first-line therapy in children with nocturnal polyuria and normal bladder function, which is the background in many cases. The benefits of desmopressin usually appear in a, weeks time resulting in rapid improvement in nocturnal enuresis.

Getting help

A child wetting the bed should be offered sympathy and reassured that they are not at fault. Punishing the child is a counter-productive approach and will probably exacerbate the problem. Parents should chat about bedwetting with their doctor who will be able to give some advice on its possible cause and potential treatments.

Advice, support and help groups

For further information please visit www.ferring.com, www.MINIRIN.com.

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. Hjalmas K et al. Nocturnal enuresis: an international evidence based management strategy. J Urol 2004;171:2545-2561.

Study reveals that women undergoing a cycle of IVF treatment with MENOPUR may have a significantly improved chance of becoming pregnant

Lausanne, Switzerland – 10 May, 2004 –

The publication was based on a sub-analysis of the landmark trial EISG (European-Israeli Study Group) which was designed to demonstrate non-inferiority of MENOPUR (HP-hMG) when compared with GONAL F (rFSH, Serono Group) in more than 700 IVF and ICSI patients.

The sub-analysis showed impressive results: the ongoing pregnancy rate in the 233 women who underwent IVF was significantly higher in the MENOPUR group (31%) compared with the GONAL F group (20%), (p=0.037).¹

The study analysis also showed that although less oocytes were retrieved in the MENOPUR group vs. GONAL F, MENOPUR appeared to have a clear beneficial effect on the pregnancy rates in women undergoing IVF.

IVF procedures make up more than 60 percent of all ART (assisted reproduction treatment) procedures.

To confirm these new results, Ferring is launching a state-of-the-art prospective, multi-national, comparative study powered to demonstrate superiority of MENOPUR vs GONAL F in IVF patients on ongoing pregnancy rate. The study called MERiT will be the largest, international prospective superiority trial comparing MENOPUR vs. GONAL F in IVF.

Included in the state of the art study design and innovative approaches:

• Centralized embryo assessments
• Intrafollicular endocrine environment
• Cryosurvival and frozen embryo cycles

Researchers are confident that the sub-results of EISG will be confirmed with MERiT as MENOPUR provides both FSH activity and LH activity (both of which are important contributors to achieving pregnancy). Several studies conclude that LH activity from either LH or hCG has several positive effects: it stimulates the development of high quality large follicles and it diminishes the number of small follicles which theoretically could reduce the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).²

Interestingly new data also suggests that hCG/LH activity may have a beneficial effect on the blood flow in the endometrium consequently improving the chances of successful egg implantation.³

According to the sub-analysis, adequate hCG levels during treatment with MENOPUR group appear to have a favourable impact on ongoing pregnancy rates in IVF and ICSI patients, but more markedly in IVF.

The sub-analysis authors suggest that the beneficial effect of the LH activity in MENOPUR seen in IVF patients could also be mediated by cumulus oophorus cells which are present during the IVF and not during the ICSI procedure.

“It is becoming increasingly evident that MENOPUR may have real advantages over rFSH (GONAL F) in IVF treatment for infertility’, said Dr. Pascal Danglas, vice-president of Clinical and Product Development at Ferring. ‘Studies like this are important because they provide evidence to identify the gonadotropin most likely to work best in certain populations. We are confident that our new study MERiT will echo these results.”

EISG Study Details

The EISG1 (European-Israeli Study Group) was an open-label, randomised, multi-center, multinational study to demonstrate non-inferiority of MENOPUR compared to GONAL F on going pregnancy rates.

• 727 patients ( HP-hMG:373, rFSH:354)
• Long protocol, down-regulation with GnRH agonist (daily or depot)
• HP-hMG (MENOPUR) vs rFSH (GONAL F), subcutaneous route
• IVF/ICSI and embryo transfer procedures according to center practice. Transfer of 1-3 developed embryos
• Luteal support according to center practice

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, 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
Corporate Communication Manager, Ferring International Center
+45 28 78 72 09
sharmi.albrechtsen@ferring.com

References

1. The European and Israeli Study Group on Highly Purified menotropin versus Recombinant Follicle-Stimulating Hormone. Fertility and Sterility. 2004 May, 81(5)1401.
2. Filicori M et al. Human Reprod Update 2002 Nov-Dec; 8(6): 543-57.
3. Licht P. et al. Semin Reprod Med. 2001; 19(1): 37-47.

Ferring building receives award

Copenhagen, Denmark – April 11, 2004 –

In the beginning of 2003 the Danish magazine “Byggeri” granted Ferring International Center an award for “Building of the Year 2002”.

The committee unanimously agreed that Ferring’s building is a wonderful addition to the Copenhagen skyline. “The building is visionary and unique by Danish standards – the highest building erected in Denmark using steel as its bearing construction.

Ferring International Center is designed by the internationally renowned Danish architect Henning Larsen. The twenty storey building is built mainly of steel and glass and houses approximately 350 people of numerous nationalities working side by side.

Each day at least 100 Swedes cross the bridge between Sweden and Denmark to go to work at Ferring International Center in Ørestad. The Ferring building has an excellent position situated close to the Copenhagen Airport and the Øresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark.

Ferring appoints President of the Ferring Research Institute

Lausanne, Switzerland – April 2, 2004 –

Ferring, a biopharmaceutical company with its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland announced today that Dr. John L. McGuire has been appointed as the President of the Ferring Research Institute.

Dr. McGuire joins Ferring after 25 years with Johnson & Johnson. His most recent position was Corporate Vice President of Business Development in Johnson & Johnson’s Pharmaceutical Group.

Dr. McGuire is an adjunct professor at the department of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick. He has published more than 200 scientific articles and edited several books.

Prior to his position as Corporate VP of Business Development, he held a variety of executive positions in R&D at Johnson & Johnson including Senior Vice President of Worldwide R&D at R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute. In addition to his R&D responsibilities, he was also responsible for identifying and in-licensing a number of important pharmaceutical products, notably erythropoietin.

Dr. McGuire has also held the position of Executive Director of Research at Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation, a division of Johnson & Johnson. In this position he had responsibility for both drug discovery research as well as two independent clinical research and regulatory affairs units.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. McGuire to the Ferring group” said Mr. Frederik Paulsen, Chairman of Ferring Group. “His experience and skills will ensure Ferring´s continued success in discovering interesting new compounds and bringing in new in-licensing opportunities, especially in the women’s health care area.”

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.

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