ViroPharma Launches 'Ryze Above(TM)', A Personalized Patient Resources Program For Patients With Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

EXTON, Pa., March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq: VPHM) today announced the launch of 'Ryze Above' (www.ryzeabove.com), an exclusive patient resources program within the company's patient support program, CINRYZESolutions®.  The Ryze Above program was created for HAE patients prescribed Cinryze, the first and only drug specifically approved to help prevent swelling and/or painful attacks in teenagers and adults with HAE.  

'Ryze Above' is designed to meet the individual needs of patients with HAE enrolled in the CINRYZESolutions support program and are either receiving Cinryze as prophylaxis against their disease or awaiting initiation of therapy.  The program provides educational information about HAE, patient support services, information about Cinryze and the importance of disease prevention, and information on CINRYZESolutions.  Through 'Ryze Above', important resources, interactive tools, and services are available throughout therapy with Cinryze, and can help patients in managing the challenges of living with HAE.

Patients are automatically enrolled in the 'Ryze Above' patient resources program when they enroll in CINRYZESolutions.  Patients will have access to starter kits, travel kits, exclusive online educational materials, resources, and will receive personalized program communications from their 'Ryze Above' program administrators.

Patients in 'Ryze Above' will receive a starter kit, including:

• Patient brochure for Cinryze
• Brochure for CINRYZESolutions
• HAE disease state brochure
• 'Ryze Above'  Wallet Card

"We recognize that living with hereditary angioedema is challenging, and in many cases can be overwhelming," commented Daniel Soland, ViroPharma's vice president and chief operating officer. "Because HAE is a rare condition, those affected by it can feel alone and isolated.  That's why ViroPharma developed this essential patient program to extend well beyond product access and provide enhanced levels of support and education for these patients."

Added Therese Heimbold, ViroPharma's senior product manager of CINRYZE, "As a new part of our comprehensive patient support program CINRYZESolutions, 'Ryze Above' provides customized resources and education for patients seeking and experiencing prevention of their disease with Cinryze.  Now, as we work with physicians and insurance providers on making prophylaxis with Cinryze available to patients, we can also provide novel tools and new lines of direct and personalized communication to assist those who suffer with HAE."

Important Information About Cinryze™ (C1 esterase inhibitor [human])

Before starting Cinryze, please read the Patient Labeling, located at http://www.cinryze.com/PDF/Cinryze_PI.pdf, carefully and each time you get a refill.  This information does not include all of the important information about Cinryze.  If you have questions after reading this, ask your healthcare provider.

Important Risk Information About Cinryze™

You should not use Cinryze if you have had life-threatening immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis to the product.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.  It is not known if Cinryze can harm your unborn baby.
• Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.  It is not known if Cinryze passes into your milk and if it can harm your baby.
• Or have a history of blood clotting problems. Very high doses of C1 esterase inhibitor could increase the risk of blood clots.

Tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all of the medicines you take, including all prescription and non-prescription medicines such as over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies.

Allergic reactions may occur with Cinryze. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency support services right away if you have: wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, turning blue (look at lips and gums), fast heartbeat, swelling of the face, faintness, rash, or hives.

Because Cinryze is made from human blood, it may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g. viruses, and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. In clinical studies, the most common side effects seen with Cinryze were upper respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, rash and headache.  These are not all the possible side effects of Cinryze.  Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.  You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not use Cinryze for a condition for which it is not prescribed.  Do not share Cinryze with other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have.

About Hereditary Angioedema (HAE)

HAE is a rare, severely debilitating, life-threatening genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of C1 inhibitor, a human plasma protein. This condition is the result of a defect in the gene controlling the synthesis of C1 inhibitor. C1 inhibitor maintains the natural regulation of the contact, complement, and fibrinolytic systems, that when left unregulated, can initiate or perpetuate an attack by consuming the already low levels of endogenous C1 inhibitor in HAE patients. Patients with C1 inhibitor deficiency experience recurrent, unpredictable, debilitating, and potentially life threatening attacks of inflammation affecting the larynx, abdomen, face, extremities and urogenital tract. Patients with HAE experience approximately 20 to 100 days of incapacitation per year. There are estimated to be at least 6,500 people with HAE in the United States.

For more information on HAE, visit the U.S. HAE Association's website at: www.haea.org.

About ViroPharma Incorporated

ViroPharma Incorporated is an international biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing innovative products for physician specialists to enable the support of patients with serious diseases for which there is an unmet medical need, and providing rewarding careers to employees.  ViroPharma commercializes Cinryze™ (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]) for routine prophylaxis against angioedema attacks in adolescent and adult patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).  ViroPharma commercializes Vancocin®, approved for oral administration for treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant strains (for prescribing information on ViroPharma's commercial products, please download the package inserts at http://www.viropharma.com/Products.aspx).  ViroPharma currently focuses its drug development activities in diseases including C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency and C. difficile.

SOURCE ViroPharma Incorporated