Schering AG and Organon to Continue Research in Male Fertility Control Separately
19 Septembre 2006 - 9:58AM
PR Newswire (US)
BERLIN and OSS, The Netherlands, September 19
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Schering AG, Germany (FSE: SCH; NYSE:
SHR) and Organon announced today that they will continue research
in male fertility control separately. Their research collaboration
will therefore conclude at the end of the phase II clinical trial.
"For both Organon and Schering, as well as our clinical and
scientific colleagues worldwide, this has been a long and demanding
research program. However, we accept the challenge of developing
what we have learned so far into a convenient contraceptive method
for men. Male fertility control remains an important research area
for Schering," said Phil Smits, M.D., Head of
Gynecology&Andrology at Schering AG. Commenting on the
collaboration, David Nicholson, Executive Vice President, Global
Research and Development, Organon, said: "The phase II trial was
important as it showed that a progestogen combined with
testosterone can work as a male contraceptive. Our next step is to
find a way to make it easy to use and acceptable to the
population." Both companies described the collaboration as
constructive, but came to the conclusion that the administration
route investigated in the trial, which combined an annual implant
with three-monthly injections, would unlikely result in a product
that would be acceptable for widespread everyday use. Both
companies remain committed to research in male contraception and
will build on the knowledge gained from the collaboration to seek
improvements in how such a contraceptive can be better
administered. The collaboration started in November 2002. The phase
II trial which started in January 2004, was designed to test the
reliability and acceptability of two hormones in combination which
were known to have a suppressive effect on sperm production. The
trial medication and modes of administration were based on results
from earlier studies showing that sperm production could be
suppressed to contraceptive levels by the progestogen etonogestrel
given as a subcutaneous implant, which was developed by Organon.
While, at the same time, the resulting testosterone deficiency
could be minimized with an injection of long-acting testosterone
undecanoate, developed by Schering. Data from the trials will be
jointly published upon final analysis. About Schering AG Schering
AG is a research-based pharmaceutical company. Its activities are
focused on four business areas: Gynecology&Andrology, Oncology,
Diagnostic Imaging as well as Specialized Therapeutics for
disabling diseases. As a global player with innovative products,
Schering AG aims for leading positions in specialized markets
worldwide. With in-house R&D and supported by an excellent
global network of external partners, Schering AG is securing a
promising product pipeline. Using new ideas, Schering AG aims to
make a recognized contribution to medical progress and strives to
improve the quality of life: making medicine work. It is planned
that Schering AG will be renamed Bayer Schering Pharma
Aktiengesellschaft. A corresponding resolution was passed at the
Extraordinary General Meeting of Schering AG on September 13, 2006.
Until the name change has been registered in the commercial
register, the company will continue to operate under the name
Schering AG. According to the resolution of the General Meeting,
the Executive Board will not file an application for registration
before December 1, 2006. Find additional information at:
http://www.schering.de/eng About Organon Organon - with shared head
offices in Roseland, JN, USA and Oss, the Netherlands - creates,
manufactures and markets innovative prescription medicines that
improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination
of independent growth and business partnerships, Organon strives to
remain or become one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies in
each of its core therapeutic fields: fertility, gynecology,
anesthesia and neuroscience. Research areas also include immunology
and oncology. Organon products are sold in over 100 countries, of
which more than 60 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human
health care business unit of Akzo Nobel. Find additional
information at: http://www.organon.com/ Certain statements in this
press release that are neither reported financial results nor other
historical information are forward-looking statements, including
but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate
future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should
not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are
subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be
affected by other factors that could cause actual results and
Schering AG's plans and objectives to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Certain
factors that may cause such differences are discussed in our Form
20-F and Form 6-K reports filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission. Schering AG undertakes no obligation to update
publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether
to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or
otherwise. Safe Harbor Statement* This press release may contain
statements which address such key issues as Organon's growth
strategy, future financial results, market positions, product
development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product
approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it
should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and
actual results to differ from these statements. These factors
include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency
fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and
regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel
costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues,
and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated
competitive positions are based on management estimates supported
by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a
more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our
business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which
can be found on the Akzo Nobel corporate website
http://www.akzonobel.com/. The 2005 Annual Report on Form 20-F will
be available at the end of the second quarter of 2006. * Pursuant
to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. Your
contacts at Schering AG: Media Relations: Oliver Renner, T:
+49-30-468-124-31, Investor Relations: Dr. Jost Reinhard, T:
+49-30-468-150-62, Pharma Communication: Astrid Kranz, T:
+49-30-468-120-57, Your contacts at Organon : Monique Mols,
Director Media Relations, N.V. Organon, Tel: +31-412-665440, Fax:
+31-412-662568, E-mail: DATASOURCE: Schering AG CONTACT: Your
contacts at Schering AG: Media Relations: Oliver Renner, T:
+49-30-468-124-31, . Investor Relations: Dr. Jost Reinhard, T:
+49-30-468-150-62, . Pharma Communication: Astrid Kranz, T:
+49-30-468-120-57, . Your contacts at Organon: Monique Mols,
Director Media Relations, N.V. Organon, Tel: +31-412-665440, Fax:
+31-412-662568, E-mail:
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