Healthcare Industry News: Aranesp
News Release - October 19, 2006
Fresenius Medical Care Announces New Sourcing and Supply Agreement with Amgen
BAD HOMBURG, Germany--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA (or "Company") (NYSE:FMS ; FWB:FME) today announced that its subsidiary, Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Inc. (FMC-NA) has entered into a new sourcing and supply agreement with Amgen USA, Inc. (Amgen) under which Amgen will supply FMC-NA's commercial requirements in the United States and Puerto Rico for erythropoiesis stimulating proteins for dialysis patients, inclusive of EPOGEN (Epoetin alfa) and Aranesp (Darbepoetin alfa). Amgen is the sole supplier of these products for use with dialysis patients in the U.S. The new sourcing and supply agreement runs from October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011, and replaces the previous product purchase agreement between the parties. In addition, the companies will explore collaborations to develop new product formulations to further enhance standards of care.EPOGEN and Aranesp contain artificially produced hormone which stimulate the production of red blood cells. Dialysis patients cannot produce this hormone on their own; therefore, artificial erythropoietin is administered during dialysis treatments to regulate anemia.
Dr. Ben Lipps, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company commented, "We selected Amgen as our sole supplier based on more than ten years of demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety with Epogen which has led to significant clinical outcome improvements in anemic dialysis patients. Amgen and Fresenius Medical Care are well known for their commitment to developing and establishing new therapies for the benefit of patients with end-stage renal disease worldwide. Fresenius Medical Care and Amgen will also explore opportunities to collaborate to further improve patient outcomes."
Aranesp and Epogen are trademarks of Amgen Inc.
About Fresenius Medical Care
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1,400,000 individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,078 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 161,675 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products). Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FME, FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS-p). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care visit the Company's website at www.fmc-ag.com.
About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. For more information about Amgen visit the Company's website at www.amgen.com.
About EPOGEN®
EPOGEN® (Epoetin alfa) is a recombinant protein with the same mechanism of action as endogenous human erythropoietin, a protein produced by the kidneys to stimulate the production of oxygen-transporting red blood cells. Patients with end-stage renal disease do not produce adequate amounts of erythropoietin and consequently suffer from the energy-draining signs and symptoms of chronic anemia. Epogen is indicated for patients with chronic kidney disease and anemia receiving dialysis.
About Aranesp®
Introduced in 2001, Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) is a recombinant erythropoietic protein that stimulates production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, with greater biological activity and a longer half-life than Epoetin alfa. Aranesp is indicated for patients with chronic kidney disease and anemia receiving dialysis and not on dialysis and chemotherapy-induced anemia.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
Source: Fresenius Medical Care AG
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