Bayer Biological Products Introduces Free Product Trial For Kogenate® FS
Individuals with hemophilia A in the United States now can experience the benefits of treatment with Kogenate® FS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Berkeley, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2005) - The Biological Products Division of Bayer HealthCare, LLC., (Bayer BP) announced today the launch of The Kogenate® FS Experience Program: Free Product Trial. The program gives individuals with hemophilia A in the United States an opportunity to experience treatment with Kogenate® FS (Antihemophilic Factor [Recombinant], Formulated with Sucrose) and the support programs and services to help them lead full, active, and productive lives.
The Kogenate® FS Experience Program is a special one-time-only offer for individuals with hemophilia A in the United States. The program will provide enrollees with six free infusions of Kogenate® FS or a program maximum of 20,000 IU delivered to their home. It also includes a free Kogenate® FS EZ-Log electronic patient diary and a free Kogenate® FS Experience Kit, which introduces all of the support programs and services available with Kogenate® FS treatment.
Kogenate® FS offers more than just a recombinant factor VIII replacement therapy. It has many other benefits. These include the 2.5 mL small volume diluent for fast and convenient infusions and the EZ-Log electronic patient diary which simplifies record-keeping and communications. Another significant element of The Kogenate® FS Experience Program is Parents Empowering Parents (PEP), a peer-to-peer counseling program for families dealing with a bleeding disorder. Through the Bayer Kogenate® FS Assure Program (BKAP), Bayer also provides reimbursement assistance during insurance lapses and other times of need.
Bayer's commitment to its customers goes beyond providing a safe and effective treatment," said Terry Tenbrunsel, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Bayer Biological Products Division (BP). "People living with hemophilia face a variety of challenges as a result of their condition. We constantly are striving to develop product features, services, and programs that will help them cope with some of these challenges."
Kelly Hoots, mother of a 16-year-old boy with hemophilia from North Carolina, commented on her experience with the treatment. "Kogenate® FS has fit well into my son's active lifestyle. With the low volume 2.5 mL diluent, my son's infusions take less time and are more convenient. Kogenate® FS has given him more time to do the things he likes doing, like playing golf and spending time with family and friends."
Enrolling in the program is simple. People living with hemophilia who are interested in learning more about the program and The Kogenate® FS Experience are encouraged to visit www.kogenatefs.com and download an enrollment form to give to their physician. They also can call 1-800-288-8374, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Please note that patients currently receiving Kogenate® FS therapy, or patients covered in whole or in part by federal or state health care programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, are not eligible for the trial prescription program.
About Kogenate® FS
Kogenate® FS (Antihemophilic Factor [Recombinant], Formulated with Sucrose), is a recombinant factor VIII treatment for hemophilia A that offers a more convenient administration by utilizing a 2.5 mL volume diluent, one of the smallest among available factor VIII products. Kogenate® FS does not use albumin in its purification or formulation and includes a solvent/detergent viral inactivation step, thereby further reducing potential risk of viral transmission. Kogenate® FS is manufactured at Bayer BPs state of the-art biotechnology facility in Berkeley, Calif. The most frequently reported adverse event was local injection site reactions. Known hypersensitivity to mouse or hamster protein may be a contraindication to the use of Kogenate® FS.
About Hemophilia
Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding, especially into the muscles, joints, or internal organs. About 17,000 Americans have hemophilia. The disease is caused by deficient or defective blood coagulation proteins, known as factor VIII or IX. The most common form of the disease is hemophilia A, or classic hemophilia, in which the clotting factor VIII is either deficient or defective. Hemophilia B is characterized by deficient or defective factor IX.
Contact for Bayer BP: Tricia McKernan
Tel.: +1 866.683.1126, Fax: 973.254.4860
E-mail: tricia.mckernan.b@bayer.com
About Bayer HealthCare AG
Bayer HealthCare AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry. In 2004, the Bayer HealthCare subgroup generated sales amounting to some 8.5 billion Euro.
The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics, and Pharmaceuticals. Bayer HealthCare employed 35,300 people worldwide in 2004.
Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing, and treating disease.
Information about Bayer Biological Products Division can be found at www.bayerbiologicals.com.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.