Bayer HealthCare Launches First iPhone Application with Personalized Tools to Assist People on Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b) in Managing Their Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

SAN ANTONIO, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals today launched a new tool using a technology that many people with multiple sclerosis (MS) already have in their pockets or purses – their iPhone.  The new iPhone application, myBETAapp™, provides tools that are customized for Betaseron® (interferon beta-1b) patients, making it the first application developed for use with a specific MS medication.  

myBETAapp is the newest offering in Bayer's comprehensive patient support program, BETAPLUS®.  The application provides patients with injection reminders, injection site rotation assistance and injection history.  Through the Internet, myBETAapp also gives patients access to the BETAPLUS Web page on Betaseron.com, including links to educational tools, peer support and contacts listed on the site.  With active phone service, patients enrolled in the BETAPLUS program can dial directly to speak to BETA Nurses, who are specially trained in MS.

According to Sally Jewell, Director, BETAPLUS/BETA Nurse Programs, "For many years, the assistance provided to Betaseron patients through BETAPLUS, including personalized nursing care, has been instrumental in helping patients stay committed to their treatment.  This newest addition allows patients to carry that support with them in their iPhone/iPod touch wherever they go, whether that's at home, at work or on vacation."

Starting today, Betaseron patients will have free, exclusive access to the application by visiting betaseron.com/app or betaseron.com, where they can also access more information on Betaseron and BETAPLUS.

"Bayer is committed to the care of MS.  BETAPLUS, our comprehensive support program for people taking Betaseron, helps to address the day-to-day needs of people living with this disease," said Paul Bedard, Vice President and General Manager, Neurology, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.  "MyBETAapp is an extension of our ongoing commitment to help improve the management of MS."

BETAPLUS offers a dependable support program for people who are taking Betaseron.  The wide range of resources includes one-on-one training and regular follow-up calls by an MS-trained BETA Nurse, access to the Peer Mentor Program, and Access Specialists who can work with a patient's insurance company.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

BETASERON® (interferon beta-1b) is indicated for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis to reduce the frequency of clinical exacerbations.  Patients with multiple sclerosis in whom efficacy has been demonstrated include patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have MRI features consistent with multiple sclerosis.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

The most commonly reported adverse reactions are lymphopenia, injection-site reaction, asthenia, flu-like symptom complex, headache and pain.  Gradual dose titration and use of analgesics during treatment initiation may help reduce flu-like symptoms.  BETASERON should be used with caution in patients with depression.  Injection-site necrosis has been reported in 4% of patients in controlled trials.  Patients should be advised of the importance of rotating injection sites.  Female patients should be warned about the potential risk to pregnancy.  Cases of anaphylaxis have been reported rarely.

See "Warnings," "Precautions," and "Adverse Reactions" sections of full Prescribing Information.  More information, including the full Prescribing Information, is available at www.betaseron.com.

About Multiple Sclerosis

MS is a chronic, progressive disease of the central nervous system and the likelihood of disability increases the longer someone has MS.  Symptoms of MS vary from person to person and can be unpredictable. They may include: fatigue or tiredness, dimness of vision in one or both eyes, weakness in one or more extremities, numbness and tingling in the face, arms, legs and trunk of the body, spasticity (muscle stiffness), dizziness, double vision, slurred speech and loss of bladder control.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals operation of Bayer HealthCare, an affiliate of Bayer AG.  One of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions.  In the United States, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals comprises the following business units: Women's Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging, General Medicine, Hematology/Neurology, and Oncology.  The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup 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 Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

The Bayer Cross, BETASERON and BETAPLUS are registered trademarks and myBETAapp is a trademark of Bayer.

iPhone and iPod touch are registered trademarks of Apple.

SOURCE Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals