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Betaferon Causes Less Injection Site Pain and Injection Site Reactions Than Rebif in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Presented at ECTRIMS: "MADRID, SPAIN -- October 4, 2006 -- Interferon beta-1b (Betaferon or Betaseron) 250 mcg treatment causes less injection site pain and fewer injection site reactions than interferon beta-1a (Rebif) 44 mcg, report researchers from the (Betaferon versus Rebif InvestigatinG Higher Tolerability (BRIGHT study). for multiple sclerosis

'This was the first large-scale comparison of these 2 agents for these 2 endpoints,' said lead investigator Karl Baum, MD, university lecturer, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 'We saw highly significant differences for pain and skin reactions between these 2 agents.'

The subjects self-injected the agents and self-assessed injection site pain for 15 consecutive injections of the same agent. After each injection, patients completed entries in a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) diary immediately after, at 30 minutes and at 60 minutes.

Study nurses checked for reported injection site reactions, and they were then confirmed by physicians.

The researchers questioned each subject about treatment satisfaction relative to pain at the injection site.

Investigators analysed evaluable data on 303 patients on Betaferon and 142 on Rebif. Baseline characteristics of both groups of subjects were comparable.

Significantly more patients were free from pain in the Betaferon arm compared with the Rebif arm at 30 minutes (42.6% vs 19.7%; P < .0001).

The mean proportion of pain-free injections at 30 minutes was greater with Betaferon than with Rebif (79.0% vs 53.3%; P < .0001).....

"

Betaferon Causes Less Injection Site Pain and Injection Site Reactions Than Rebif in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Presented at ECTRIMS: "MADRID, SPAIN -- October 4, 2006 -- Interferon beta-1b (Betaferon or Betaseron) 250 mcg treatment causes less injection site pain and fewer injection site reactions than interferon beta-1a (Rebif) 44 mcg, report researchers from the (Betaferon versus Rebif InvestigatinG Higher Tolerability (BRIGHT study). for multiple sclerosis

'This was the first large-scale comparison of these 2 agents for these 2 endpoints,' said lead investigator Karl Baum, MD, university lecturer, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 'We saw highly significant differences for pain and skin reactions between these 2 agents.'

The subjects self-injected the agents and self-assessed injection site pain for 15 consecutive injections of the same agent. After each injection, patients completed entries in a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) diary immediately after, at 30 minutes and at 60 minutes.

Study nurses checked for reported injection site reactions, and they were then confirmed by physicians.

The researchers questioned each subject about treatment satisfaction relative to pain at the injection site.

Investigators analysed evaluable data on 303 patients on Betaferon and 142 on Rebif. Baseline characteristics of both groups of subjects were comparable.

Significantly more patients were free from pain in the Betaferon arm compared with the Rebif arm at 30 minutes (42.6% vs 19.7%; P < .0001).

The mean proportion of pain-free injections at 30 minutes was greater with Betaferon than with Rebif (79.0% vs 53.3%; P < .0001).....

"

New Autoinjection Device Designed to Work With Betaseron(R) Now Available For Patients With MS

" Berlex, Inc. today announced the
availability of Betaject(R) 3, a new autoinjection device specifically
designed to work with Betaseron(R) (interferon beta-1b) as an optional
injection method for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis
(MS). The Betaject 3 autoinjection device is an easy-to-use, mechanical
device that automatically delivers subcutaneous injections and may help
make it easier for patients to inject their medication.
"With Betaject 3, we've simplified the process for patients by
eliminating an entire set-up step prior to each injection," said Dr. Ludger
Heeck, Vice President and General Manager of Specialized Therapeutics at
Berlex. "It complements the convenient, refrigeration free-formulation
Betaseron offers, and provides patients with an optional tool to help make
using Betaseron therapy quick and easy."
Ease of Use, Convenience and Support
The Betaject 3 autoinjection device is the latest innovation designed
to assist patients on Betaseron treatment. Eliminating a calibration step
prior to each injection, this optional injection device automatically
delivers subcutaneous injections of Betaseron at a standard preset needle
depth, allowing patients to more easily self-inject their medication than
with devices that require calibration.
Betaseron is the only available refrigeration-free MS therapy that can
be stored at room temperature for longer than 30 days(1). This unique
product attribute simplifies the injection process by eliminating waiting
time and allows patients more options for traveling with and storing their
medication in a discrete, safe manner.
Along with the availability of products designed to help simplify the
treatment process, Berlex offers personal support programs for people using
Betaseron through its MS Pathways and B.E.T.A. Nurse programs. The B.E.T.A.
Nurses assist people with MS beginning therapy with Betaseron by providing
in- person injection training. B.E.T.A. Nurses maintain ongoing
communication throughout the course of therapy to help them and their
caregivers adjust to treatment and ease some of the challenges often
associated with the disease. Research has shown that Betaseron patients who
participated in the B.E.T.A. Nurse program were more likely to maintain
their course of therapy with nearly 90 percent of people in the program
remaining on treatment after one year.
For more information about the optional Betaject 3 autoinjection
device, Betaseron or the B.E.T.A. Nurse program is available by calling MS
Pathways at 1.800.788.7467...."

New Autoinjection Device Designed to Work With Betaseron(R) Now Available For Patients With MS

" Berlex, Inc. today announced the
availability of Betaject(R) 3, a new autoinjection device specifically
designed to work with Betaseron(R) (interferon beta-1b) as an optional
injection method for patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis
(MS). The Betaject 3 autoinjection device is an easy-to-use, mechanical
device that automatically delivers subcutaneous injections and may help
make it easier for patients to inject their medication.
"With Betaject 3, we've simplified the process for patients by
eliminating an entire set-up step prior to each injection," said Dr. Ludger
Heeck, Vice President and General Manager of Specialized Therapeutics at
Berlex. "It complements the convenient, refrigeration free-formulation
Betaseron offers, and provides patients with an optional tool to help make
using Betaseron therapy quick and easy."
Ease of Use, Convenience and Support
The Betaject 3 autoinjection device is the latest innovation designed
to assist patients on Betaseron treatment. Eliminating a calibration step
prior to each injection, this optional injection device automatically
delivers subcutaneous injections of Betaseron at a standard preset needle
depth, allowing patients to more easily self-inject their medication than
with devices that require calibration.
Betaseron is the only available refrigeration-free MS therapy that can
be stored at room temperature for longer than 30 days(1). This unique
product attribute simplifies the injection process by eliminating waiting
time and allows patients more options for traveling with and storing their
medication in a discrete, safe manner.
Along with the availability of products designed to help simplify the
treatment process, Berlex offers personal support programs for people using
Betaseron through its MS Pathways and B.E.T.A. Nurse programs. The B.E.T.A.
Nurses assist people with MS beginning therapy with Betaseron by providing
in- person injection training. B.E.T.A. Nurses maintain ongoing
communication throughout the course of therapy to help them and their
caregivers adjust to treatment and ease some of the challenges often
associated with the disease. Research has shown that Betaseron patients who
participated in the B.E.T.A. Nurse program were more likely to maintain
their course of therapy with nearly 90 percent of people in the program
remaining on treatment after one year.
For more information about the optional Betaject 3 autoinjection
device, Betaseron or the B.E.T.A. Nurse program is available by calling MS
Pathways at 1.800.788.7467...."

Bayer Starts EU1.2 Billion Share Sale for Schering
: "July 6 (Bloomberg) -- Bayer AG is selling 1.2 billion euros
($1.53 billion) in new shares to help fund its takeover of rival
drugmaker Schering AG.

The sale of 34 million new shares to institutional
investors will probably be completed today, the company said in
a statement distributed by DGAP. At yesterday's closing price of
35.68 euros, the sale is worth 1.2 billion euros. Buyers will
get the full-year dividend, Bayer said.

Bayer wants to add Berlin-based Schering's best-selling
multiple sclerosis treatment and Yasmin contraceptive pills to
bolster its healthcare unit. The share sale is one of the final
steps in financing the 17 billion-euro purchase after Bayer sold
its medical diagnostics unit to Siemens AG and issued bonds
worth 2.3 billion euros over the past month.
``
Bayer is moving ahead with the financing,'' Silke
Stegemann, an analyst at Landesbank Rheinland-Pfalz in Mainz,
said in an interview today. ``Bayer is on the right path. A
capital increase always puts pressure on the stock.''

Bayer shares fell 63 cents, or 1.8 percent, to 35.05 euros
at 11:34 a.m. in Frankfurt. They've shed 1.2 percent this year.

The developer of aspirin said last week it expects net
proceeds of 3.6 billion euros from the sale of the diagnostics
division to Siemens. Bayer is also planning to sell its Wolff
Walsrode and HC Starck units.

Job Cuts

Schering will help bolster Bayer's health-care unit with
Betaseron and the world's biggest stable of birth-control pills.
Growth at the enlarged company will be led by new products and
demand for cancer drugs such as Bayer's Nexavar, Chief Executive
Officer Werner Wenning said last month. The drug was approved in
the U.S. last December to treat kidney cancer.

Bayer HealthCare suffered from the recall of the
cholesterol-lowering Baycol in August 2001 and the introduction
of generic rivals to its Cipro antibiotic two years later. While
first-quarter operating profit at Bayer's health care and
pharmaceutical units more than doubled, their operating margins
lag behind U.S. industry peers including Johnson & Johnson and
Pfizer Inc.

Leverkusen, Germany-based Bayer last month had to raise its
bid for Schering by 3 euros a share to 89 euros to persuade
rival Merck KGaA to tender its 21.8 percent stake. As many as
6,000 jobs may be cut in the integration, the company has said...."

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO: Bayer AG won a 17 billion euro ($21.5 billion) contest for Schering AG, the world's largest maker of birth-control pills, after German rival Merck KGaA accepted a sweetened offer for its stake.

"
Schering investors will get 89 euros a share, or 3 euros more than Bayer's original bid in March, after Darmstadt-based Merck agreed to sell its 21.8 percent holding. Investors who have tendered their shares or commit to doing so today will get that price, Leverkusen, Germany-based Bayer said in a statement.

Bayer shares had their biggest gain in three years. Merck's holding, built up since Bayer's March offer, threatened to derail Bayer's plan to become Germany's largest drugmaker. Bayer wants to add Berlin-based Schering's best-selling multiple sclerosis treatment and Yasmin birth control pills to help its lagging health unit. Merck and Bayer may cooperate on other projects.

``This is very good news,'' Boris Schakowski, a fund manager with Union Investment in Frankfurt said in a telephone interview. ``This is value enhancing for Bayer and this is the best fit in our eyes for Schering. It's a financial gain for Merck, and since they have shown themselves to be cooperative, they have laid a foundation for further cooperation.''

Bayer shares rose 2.28 euros, or 7.5 percent, to 32.84 euros at 4:49 p.m. in Frankfurt after gaining as much as 9.8 percent, the most since March 2003. Shares of Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck climbed 4.05 euros, or 5.9 percent, to 72.50 euros. Shares of Bayer had declined 12 percent between June 8, when Merck said it had a 6 percent stake in Schering, and yesterday.

The spread on Bayer bonds narrowed. The extra yield investors demand to hold Bayer's 6 percent euro-denominated bond due in 2012 instead of government bond narrowed to 71.5 basis points, according to RBC Capital. This is more than the 68 basis points the spread hit when Standard & Poor's put the company on credit watch for downgrade on March 24 of this year.

Earlier Bids

Bayer's bid of 86 euros a share was accepted by Schering's board in March, beating a 77 euro offer from Merck. Today's offer is 3.5 percent more than Bayer's first bid. Merck will have a one-time gain of 400 million euros in the second quarter.

``We're very pleased about Merck's decision, because a lengthy competitive bidding process would have greatly affected Schering's future,'' Bayer Chief Executive Officer Werner Wenning said in the statement.

Schering sells drugs, such as Betaseron for multiple sclerosis, as well as substances that help make organs visible on imaging such as X-rays. The company lost its U.S. operations around World War II, and the American unit grew into Kenilworth, New Jersey-based Schering-Plough Corp. The companies aren't now affiliated.

Deutsche Bank is advising Merck, while Morgan Stanley and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein are advising Schering. Bayer is being advised by Credit Suisse and Greenhill.

Merck bought 2.1 million Schering shares yesterday, the company said in a regulatory filing. Bayer filed a lawsuit in New York yesterday alleging that Merck violated U.S. law by failing to publicly disclose that it was acquiring shares of Schering. Bayer said today it will drop the lawsuit".

Bayer wins Schering with sweetened bid
: "Bayer AG won a 17 billion euro ($21.5 billion) contest for Schering AG, the world's largest maker of birth-control pills, after German rival Merck KGaA accepted a sweetened offer for its stake.Schering investors will get 89 euros a share, or 3 euros more than Bayer's original bid in March, after Darmstadt-based Merck agreed to sell its 21.8 percent holding.Bayer wants to add Berlin-based Schering's best-selling multiple sclerosis treatment and Yasmin contraceptive pills to help its lagging health unit.

o derail Bayer's plan to become Germany's largest drugmaker.

Bayer's bid of 86 euros a share was accepted by Schering's board in March, beating a 77 euro offer from Merck. Yesterday's offer is 3.5 percent more than Bayer's first bid. Merck will have a one-time gain of 400 million euros in the second quarter. Bayer and Merck said yesterday they will look at other ways to cooperate.

"We're very pleased about Merck's decision, because a lengthy competitive bidding process would have greatly affected Schering's future," Bayer Chief Executive Officer Werner Wenning said in a statement.

Schering sells drugs, such as Betaseron for multiple sclerosis, as well as substances that help make organs visible on imaging such as X-rays. The company lost its U.S. operations around World War II, and the American unit grew into Kenilworth, N.J.-based Schering-Plough Corp. The companies aren't now affiliated.

Betaferon sales rose 11 percent last year to 867 million euros, while sales of Yasmin rose 36 percent to 586 million euros..... "

"Schering's Betaseron drug has received approval in Europe as a first-line treatment for the earliest stages of MS:

Schering, which rival drugmaker Bayer (BAYG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) is trying to acquire, said that results of a trial using Betaseron showed that the drug taken in the early phase of the disease could cut risk of MS by 50 percent.

Betaseron is Schering's top drug and brought in 232 million euros ($299 million) in sales in the first quarter, an increase of 23 percent from a year earlier. It is currently used to treat relapsing remitting MS and secondary progressive MS....."