Asclera® Unites With Inspirational Women Who Stand and Deliver to Make a Real Difference in Their Communities

GREENSBORO, N.C., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Merz, Inc., through its aesthetics division Merz Aesthetics, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Asclera^® (polidocanol) Injection in the U.S., today announces the beginning of the STAND AND DELIVER program. STAND AND DELIVER was originally launched in 2011 to celebrate inspirational women who are making positive contributions to their communities. After a highly successful first year, Merz Inc. has decided to continue its dedication to inspirational women who make a real difference in their hometowns and beyond.

As part of this salute to inspirational women, Asclera^® has formed an advisory board with three women who showcase their significant contributions in their communities, including last year's winner Michelle Rubin! This advisory panel of inspiring women will help select this year's STAND AND DELIVER winner. The grand prize winner and her affiliated 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations will receive a trip to New York City to appear on a nationally-syndicated television show and a $10,000 donation to her charity.

"There are so many inspirational women across the country who STAND AND DELIVER for powerful change that impact our local communities.  Too often, though, these women are celebrated in silence," said Dennis Condon, president, Merz Aesthetics, Inc. "As we embark on the second year of STAND AND DELIVER, Merz, Inc. and Asclera^® are committed to celebrating these women by giving them the platform they need to help make their community and ours a better place. Merz, Inc. is pleased to be able to not only make a charitable donation, but to make a difference to their community."

Beginning today, November 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, log onto www.Asclera.com/standanddeliver and tell us how the woman in your life STANDs AND DELIVERs real change in your community. Nominees should be committed to transforming their communities for the better. After the December 31, 2012 submission deadline, the STAND AND DELIVER advisory panel will select three finalists whose stories will be featured on the contest website. The grand prize winner will be chosen by the public following a national online voting period from February 18, 2013 through April 19, 2013, and entrants can easily share their submission with friends and family through the online and social media channels like Facebook and Twitter to encourage them to vote.

"I am excited to be part of the STAND AND DELIVER program again this year to help find the next inspirational woman who is helping build a brighter future for her community," said last year's STAND AND DELIVER winner Michelle Rubin. "I am honored to have been chosen as last year's winner of the STAND AND DELIVER program, which was sponsored by Asclera^® and Merz, Inc. The $10,000 donation to my charity, Autism After 21, has helped provide much needed support to young adults with autism who need life-changing training. This helps them live more independent lives."

STAND AND DELIVER Contest Rules

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
Submit your nominations between 11/1/12 at 12:00:00 AM CT and 12/31/12 at 11:59:59 PM CT.
Nominate a person committed to family and community who takes a stand by working hard to make a difference. Nomination requires submission of a short mandatory paragraph (up to 200 words). Judging Criteria: degree of difference made by the Nominee in his/her community (25%); degree of commitment of Nominee to family and community (25%), ability of Nominee to inspire others (25 %), passion/enthusiasm of Nominee (25 %). Limit of one Nomination per person/per email address. Eligibility: legal residents of the 50 US & DC, 18 or older. Vote for your favorite Nominee for the chance to win 1 of 12 Annual subscriptions to MORE magazine (ARV: $50.00). The odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received corresponding to the applicable Weekly Sweepstakes Period. Contest Grand Prize (1): Nominee will receive one (1) professional beauty makeover (ARV: $1,500.00). Donation: a $10,000.00 donation will be made in the name of the Grand Prize Winner to a charity selected by the Grand Prize Winner. For full Contest details and prize details see Official Rules at www.Asclera.com/standanddeliver. Sponsor: Merz Aesthetics, Inc., 1875 South Grant St, Suite 200, San Mateo, California, 94402. Void where prohibited.

About Asclera^®

The FDA approved Asclera^® (polidocanol) Injection on March 30, 2010 to sclerose uncomplicated spider veins (varicose veins less than or equal to 1 mm in diameter) and uncomplicated reticular veins (varicose veins 1 to 3 mm in diameter) in the lower extremity, making it the first sclerosant to be approved by FDA in over 60 years. 

About Merz, Inc.

For more than 100 years, the development of our products has been based on our commitment to innovative medical approaches that earn trust among patients, physicians, customers, and partners worldwide. Merz, Inc. is a focused specialty healthcare company that is responsible for developing and commercializing innovative products and solutions in neurology, medical aesthetics, and dermatology in the U.S. Our ambition is to become a recognized leader in the treatment of movement disorders as well as aesthetic and dermatologic conditions. Our pipeline is promising, and with new therapeutic options we will continue our commitment to improving patients lives.

About Merz Pharma Group

Globally, the companies of Merz Pharma Group are focused on medications for treating neurological and psychiatric illnesses and thereby assume a leading role in the field of Alzheimer research. Another important area of competency of Merz Pharma Group is Clinical Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. Merz Pharma Group is also active in the Health sector outside of the pharmacy. In the field of consumer products, with its established brands of tetesept^® and Merz Spezial^®, Merz Consumer Care is a leading provider of products for self-medication, nutritional supplements, and skin care. Merz Pharma Group is a privately owned company, founded in 1908 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Indication:

Asclera^® (polidocanol) Injection is a prescription medicine that is used in a procedure called sclerotherapy to remove unwanted veins on your legs. It is administered by a healthcare provider to treat two types of veins:

• Uncomplicated spider veins (very small varicose veins ≤ 1 mm in diameter)
• Uncomplicated small varicose veins (1 to 3 mm in diameter) known as reticular veins

Asclera^® has not been studied in varicose veins more than 3 mm in diameter.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

For intravenous use only.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Asclera^® (polidocanol) Injection is contraindicated for patients with known allergy (anaphylaxis) to polidocanol and patients with acute vein and blood clotting diseases.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Anaphylaxis: Severe allergic reactions have been reported following polidocanol use, including anaphylactic reactions, some of them fatal. Severe reactions are most frequent with use of larger volumes (> 3 mL). The dose of polidocanol should therefore be minimized. Please notify your healthcare provider if you have a known history of severe allergies or allergy to polidocanol.

Accidental injection into an artery can cause severe necrosis, ischemia or gangrene. If this occurs, consult your healthcare provider or a vascular surgeon immediately.

Unintentional injection of Asclera outside of the vein can cause pain. If pain is severe, a local anesthetic (without adrenaline) may be injected by your healthcare provider.

Severe adverse local effects, including tissue necrosis, may occur following flow of the product outside of the vein; therefore, the smallest effective volume at each injection site should be used.

After the injection session is completed, apply compression with a stocking or bandage, and walk for 15- 20 minutes. Your healthcare provider will provide monitoring during this period to treat any possible anaphylactic or allergic reactions.

Maintain compression for 2 to 3 days after treatment of spider veins and for 5 to 7 days for reticular veins, or as directed by your Healthcare Provider. For extensive varicosities, longer compression treatment with compression bandages or a gradient compression stocking of a higher compression class is recommended. Post-treatment compression is necessary to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: In clinical studies, the following adverse reactions were observed after using Asclera^® and were more common with Asclera^® than placebo: injection site hematoma, injection site irritation, injection site discoloration, injection site pain, injection site itching, injection site warmth, neovascularization, injection site clotting.

You are encouraged to report any suspected adverse events. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact your Healthcare Provider, Merz Aesthetics at 1-866-862-1211, or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please talk to your healthcare provider should you have any questions about Asclera^®.

SOURCE Merz, Inc.