Bayer HealthCare to Sponsor World Federation of Hemophilia Global Training Program and Donate Kogenate® FS, Antihemophilic Factor (Recombinant), Commercially Valued At More Than $7 Million

MONTVILLE, N.J., and MONTREAL, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) are announcing a three-year extension of Bayer's sponsorship agreement with WFH.  The agreement calls for Bayer to serve as sole sponsor of WFH's International Hemophilia Training Centre (IHTC) program, in addition to providing support for other WFH activities, such as its Web site and Congress.  Established in 1969, the IHTC program gives health care professionals from developing countries training in the diagnosis and management of hemophilia and related bleeding disorders.  Additionally, Bayer has made a major donation to WFH of Kogenate® FS, antihemophilic factor (recombinant), a recombinant factor VIII treatment for hemophilia A, which will be used for humanitarian aid in countries where persons with hemophilia A have limited access to care.  The donated Kogenate FS is commercially valued at more than $7 million.

The IHTC program provides clinical, laboratory and paramedical training in 28 centers worldwide, located in the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Western Pacific and Europe.  Most recently, a new center was designated in Russia in 2010, and plans are underway to establish a center in Egypt.

"The International Hemophilia Training Centre program is critical to furthering the treatment of hemophilia and related disorders around the world," said Claudia Black, WFH CEO.  "We appreciate our long-standing partnership with Bayer, and commend the company on its commitment to the hemophilia community to help us achieve our vision of Treatment for All."

The centers provide training in all aspects of hemophilia management, with 35 fellowships awarded each year.  Fellowship candidates are chosen based on their level of commitment and potential to improve hemophilia treatment in their country, after the completion of their training period.  Fellowships have been awarded to hematologists, nurses, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists, orthopedic surgeons and dentists.  Since the program's founding, 400 fellows from 80 countries have received training.  Of note, more than 70% of fellows who have received training continue their career in hemophilia care.  

"More than 40 years after its founding, the IHTC program continues to improve the education of health care professionals who are dedicated to treating people with hemophilia," said Hansjoerg Duerr, Ph.D., Vice President, Specialty Medicine, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.  "It is Bayer's privilege to sponsor an initiative of such great importance and also to make such a significant donation of Kogenate FS."

About Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A, also known as factor VIII deficiency or classic hemophilia, is largely an inherited bleeding disorder in which one of the proteins needed to form blood clots in the body is missing or reduced. Hemophilia A is the most common type of hemophilia and is characterized by prolonged or spontaneous bleeding, especially into the muscles, joints, or internal organs. Approximately 400,000 people around the world have hemophilia.

About Kogenate® FS/KOGENATE® Bayer

Indications and Usage

Kogenate® FS, antihemophilic factor (recombinant) /KOGENATE® Bayer (recombinant coagulation Factor VIII [octocog alfa]) is a recombinant factor VIII treatment indicated for the control and prevention of bleeding episodes and perioperative management in adults and children (0-16 years) with hemophilia A. Kogenate® FS/KOGENATE® Bayer is also indicated for routine prophylaxis to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes and the risk of joint damage in children with hemophilia A with no preexisting joint damage.

Important Safety Information

The most serious adverse reactions are systemic hypersensitivity reactions and the development of high-titer inhibitors necessitating alternative treatments to AHF. The most common adverse events observed in clinical trials were inhibitor formation in previously untreated or minimally treated patients, skin-associated hypersensitivity reactions, infusion site reactions, and central venous access device (CVAD) line-associated infections.  Kogenate® FS/KOGENATE® Bayer is contraindicated in patients who have manifested life-threatening immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, to the product or its components, including mouse or hamster proteins.

For important risk and use information, please see the full Prescribing Information at www.kogenatefs.com/prescribing-information.jsp.

About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals business of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer HealthCare is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry, and combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions.  As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals provides products for Diagnostic Imaging, General Medicine, Hematology, Neurology, Oncology and Women's Healthcare.  The company's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.

About the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)

The World Federation of Hemophilia is an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders.  Established in 1963, it is a global network of patient organizations in 118 countries and has official recognition from the World Health Organization. Visit WFH online at www.wfh.org.

Forward-looking statements

This 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.

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SOURCE Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals