Bayer & Intendis to co-promote YAZ for acne treatment

Acne :: Bayer & Intendis to co-promote YAZ for acne treatment

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc, a U.S.-based pharmaceuticals unit of Bayer HealthCare., and Intendis Inc., a U.S.-based affiliate of Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, announced today that they will jointly promote YAZ? (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol) as a treatment for moderate acne in women who desire an oral contraceptive for birth control. The agreement came into effect on May 1, as part of an overall strategy to introduce dermatologists to the anti-acne benefits of YAZ.

Investigators will present new clinical data demonstrating the efficacy of YAZ in the treatment of moderate acne at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Clinical Meeting (ACOG) in San Diego. YAZ is the only oral contraceptive approved for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women who desire an oral contraceptive for birth control. PMDD is a condition in which women?s premenstrual symptoms are severe enough to impact activities, work or relationships. In January, 2007, YAZ received FDA approval as a treatment for moderate acne in women who desire an oral contraceptive for birth control.

Ob/gyns and now, dermatologists and their patients, are looking for contraceptive methods that go beyond birth control. YAZ is an ideal example of a treatment offering multiple benefits to more effectively meet patients needs, said Stefan Oelrich, Vice President of Womens Healthcare, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. This alliance combines the strengths of two Bayer businesses --- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceutical's leadership in women's health and Intendis established dermatology franchise -- to support an important milestone in the lifecycle of YAZ.

Through this alliance, we hope to effectively engage dermatologists so that they can, in turn, have more informed conversations with their patients looking for a reduction of their acne and the benefits of a reliable contraceptive, said Bernhard Schefter, President and CEO of Intendis Inc. Our proven track record in successfully marketing dermatologic products through a dedicated dermatology sales team, paired with the innovation that YAZ brings to the market, make this a win-win for both organizations.

New Data Reinforce Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety of Yaz for Acne

At this weeks ACOG Annual Clinical Meeting, lead study investigator J. Michael Maloney, M.D., FAAD, will present, for the first time, results of two six-month trials examining the use of YAZ in treating moderate acne. The multicenter, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trials involve more than 1,000 women.

The unique antiandrogenic property of drospirenone, found in YAZ, creates a functional blockage of male sex hormones that can be a cause of acne, said Dr. Maloney. This factor, combined with a longer 24-day active pill cycle, which allows for continuous presence of drospirenone throughout the cycle, thereby effectively treating moderate acne that often occurs just prior to or during, a womans menstrual cycle.