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Cypress Bioscience Announces Expansion of PROSORBA Column Pilot Program
SAN DIEGO, Aug 4, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cypress Bioscience Inc. (NASDAQ:
CYPB) today announced that Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), in
conjunction with its sister company Fresenius HemoCare (FHC), has agreed to
expand a critical pilot program with Cypress.
Earlier this year, Cypress announced a pilot program with FMCNA to facilitate
the delivery of apheresis treatments using the PROSORBA(R) column in the
rheumatologist's office. This approach offers many benefits to the patient,
including convenience and continued care by their rheumatologist throughout the
12-week treatment course.
Under this program, FMCNA purchased 1,000 PROSORBA columns in June 2000, and has
committed to purchase at least 1,000 additional PROSORBA columns in each of the
third quarter and fourth quarters of 2000. These columns will be used to support
the pilot program as well as existing contracts that FMCNA already has in place
with approximately 200 hospitals to provide therapeutic apheresis treatment in
the traditional hospital outpatient setting.
"Cypress is pleased by the significant commitment made by FMCNA. The size and
timing of these purchases are driven by Fresenius' internal assessment of their
needs, and Cypress is pleased to support their initiative. The focus on
expanding the availability of PROSORBA column treatments in both the physician
office and hospital outpatient setting, in combination with the recently
announced decision by Medicare to cover the procedure helps ensure that those
patients in need of this important RA therapy have access to the treatment,"
said Jay D. Kranzler, M.D., Ph.D., chief executive officer and chairman of the
board of Cypress Bioscience Inc. |
