Bayer HealthCare Launches the Next Generation of Aspirin for Pain Relief - Clinically Proven to Relieve Pain Twice as Fast as Before*

MORRISTOWN, N.J., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare's Consumer Care division announced today the introduction of Bayer® Advanced Aspirin, the next generation of aspirin for pain relief. Using the patent-pending Pro-Release™ Technology, Bayer Advanced Aspirin is clinically proven to relieve tough pain twice as fast as previous Bayer® Aspirin tablets*.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, go to: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/bayer/50414/

With the introduction of aspirin in 1899, Bayer offered one of the first widely accessible analgesics, or pain relievers, to consumers. Today, Bayer's overall global Aspirin business continues to grow, and had double-digit, year-on-year sales growth in Q1 2011. Yet, while Bayer continues to be a leader in the category, for many U.S. consumers, Bayer Aspirin is primarily synonymous with cardiovascular use. Now, through a combination of technological innovation and rich analgesic heritage, Bayer is introducing a new standard in aspirin for tough pain relief with Bayer Advanced Aspirin.

"With Bayer Advanced Aspirin, Bayer is introducing the greatest innovation in aspirin since the discovery of aspirin," said Barton Warner, VP, Marketing and New Business, Bayer HealthCare. "We have applied our new Pro-Release Technology, which was invented right here at Bayer, to a tried-and-true molecule, to make an aspirin that provides pain relief twice as fast as before*."

Bayer Advanced Aspirin employs breakthrough Pro-Release Technology that reduces the aspirin particles into micro-particles that are on average 10 percent of the particle size of previous Bayer Aspirin tablets. The technology combines a smaller particle size with a rapidly disintegrating tablet that results in Bayer Advanced Aspirin being quickly available in the stomach and readily absorbed. This combination helps Bayer Advanced Aspirin dissolve six times more quickly, enter the bloodstream four times as fast and rush relief right to the site of pain, providing pain relief twice as fast as before*.

"When it comes to effective pain management, speed of relief is as critical as the product's strength. The Pro-Release Technology helps to speed up disintegration of the tablet, absorption into the bloodstream and, most importantly, time to pain relief," said Wes E. Cetnarowski, M.D., Senior Vice President, Bayer Global Research and Development, Bayer HealthCare. "With new, faster-acting Bayer Advanced Aspirin, millions of Americans can return to – or keep up with – their daily activities by managing pain quickly."  

A national survey of American consumers found that 44 percent of respondents suffered from acute pain in the previous two weeks(1). If extrapolated to the U.S. population, this would equate to approximately 45 million adults(2). Active men and women can't afford to be sidelined with pain. Faster pain relief can help get them back to their busy lives. Bayer Advanced Aspirin was developed with the objective of providing a faster onset of pain relief than previous Bayer Aspirin tablets giving consumers a new and better aspirin for tough pain.

Bayer Advanced Aspirin is now available at major retailers nationwide in Regular and Extra Strength doses at 325 mg and 500 mg.

For more information about Bayer Advanced Aspirin and to obtain a coupon, please visit BayerAdvancedAspirin.com.

About the Survey

A 2005 survey was conducted by ABC News, USA Today and the Stanford University Medical Center. This poll was conducted by telephone April 13-19, 2005, among a random national sample of 1,204 adults. The results have a three-point error margin.

About Bayer Advanced Aspirin

Bayer® Advanced Aspirin temporarily relieves headache, menstrual pain, minor pain of arthritis, muscle pain, pain and fever of colds, and toothache. Adults and children, 12 and over, should carefully read complete directions and follow the recommended dose on the product label. Children under 12 years should consult a doctor prior to using Bayer Advanced Aspirin.

About Bayer HealthCare

The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 16.913 billion (2010), is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Bayer HealthCare has a global workforce of 55,700 employees (Dec 31, 2010) and is represented in more than 100 countries. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.

About Bayer Consumer Care

The Consumer Care division of Bayer HealthCare, is headquartered in Morristown, N.J. Bayer's Consumer Care division is among the largest marketers of over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements in the world. Some of the most trusted and recognizable brands in the world today come from the Bayer portfolio of products. These include Bayer® Aspirin, ALEVE®, Alka-Seltzer Plus®, Bactine®, RID®, Phillips'® Milk of Magnesia, Midol®, Alka-Seltzer®, One A Day® vitamins, and Flintstones™ vitamins in the United States, and, globally, Flanax®/Apronax®, Talcid®, Rennie®, Canesten®, Bepanthen®, Bepanthol®, Supradyn®, Redoxon®, Berocca®, Cal-D-Vita/Elevit®, Vital 50 Plus®, and CardioAspirin®.

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.

1. ABC News Poll: Americans Searching for Pain Relief. 2005. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/PainManagement/story?id=732395.

2. U.S. Census Bureau. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics. 2000. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_DP1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-_lang=en&-_sse=on

SOURCE Bayer HealthCare