Wednesday November 19, 8:31 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Biomatrix, Inc.
BIOMATRIX Announces Completion of Synvisc(R) Product Launch in US
Through Marketing Partner, Wyeth-Ayerst
Dr. Balazs' Research Highlighted in Symposium at American College of Rheumatology
Conference
RIDGEFIELD, N.J., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- BIOMATRIX, INC. (Nasdaq: BIOX - news) today reported that marketing
partner, Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories (a division of American Home Products Corporation, NYSE: AHP), has completed the
US product launch of Synvisc(R), the Company's breakthrough viscosupplementation treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee.
Synvisc was exhibited at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Conference from November 8th -12th in Washington,
DC.
Dr. Endre A. Balazs, MD, co-founder, chief executive officer and chief scientific officer of Biomatrix, Inc. and emeritus
research professor at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, addressed rheumatologists at a
post-conference symposium sponsored and accredited by Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons for
Continuing Medical Education credits. Dr. Balazs, a pioneer and worldwide leader in the research and development of
viscosupplementation, lectured on ''The Elastoviscosity of Synovial Fluid and Pain.''
Utilizing Biomatrix' advanced viscosupplementation technology, Synvisc has been clinically proven to relieve knee pain and thus
improve mobility in osteoarthritic patients who do not get adequate relief from simple painkillers (e.g., acetaminophen) or from
exercise and physical therapy. The company received market clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to
market Synvisc in the United States in August 1997.
Synvisc is now available for sale in the United States by or on the order of a physician (or properly licensed practitioner) and is
administered as three intra-articular injections into the knee joint during a two-week period. A treatment course of three
intra-articular injections is priced at $495 to the patient. Biomatrix and Wyeth-Ayerst are currently working with local
Medicare carriers for medical reimbursement consideration. For general information about Synvisc, individuals should call
Wyeth-Ayerst at 1-800-934-5556, and for specific information regarding Synvisc reimbursement, 1-800-982-8292.
''The product launch of Synvisc throughout the United States is a major milestone for Biomatrix,'' commented Dr. Balazs.
''The US market is an important one not only because of its size and prominence, but also because viscosupplementation, a
new therapeutic modality for the treatment of arthritis, was conceived and developed by US scientists under my leadership. It is
satisfying to see that this new therapy is now available for patients in this country. Wyeth-Ayerst, the recognized leader in
marketing therapeutics for the treatment of arthritis, is implementing a sound strategy to educate and motivate its sizeable sales
force to introduce Synvisc to doctors and their patients.''
Bernard Poussot, president of Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, stated, ''We are encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive
response Synvisc received from doctors at the ACR. We expect this interest to continue and gain momentum now that the
product is available throughout the United States. Wyeth-Ayerst is the number one company among the opinion leaders and
key specialists who treat arthritis (rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons), and, consequently, is well positioned to effectively
market Synvisc throughout the United States. In keeping with our commitment to the field of arthritis, our well-trained sales
team is enthusiastic about promoting this innovative treatment and expects Synvisc to become a leading treatment for those
afflicted with osteoarthritis of the knee.''
Synvisc is manufactured by Biomatrix and sold in Europe and in Canada through marketing and distribution agreements with a
number of large multi- national pharmaceutical companies including Boehringer Ingelheim, Hoffmann La Roche, Rhone-Poulenc
Rorer and Wyeth-Ayerst. In addition, Biomatrix sells Synvisc through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Biomatrix UK, in Great
Britain. Biomatrix also has a marketing agreement with Bayer AG [OTC BB:BAYZY - news] to market Synvisc in Israel,
Australia, New Zealand, and certain countries in Asia.
Wyeth-Ayerst is a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading products in the areas of women's health care,
cardiovascular and metabolic disease therapies, central nervous system drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, vaccines and generic
pharmaceuticals. American Home Products Corporation is one the world's largest research-based pharmaceutical and health
care products companies and is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of prescription drugs and over-the-counter
medications. It is also a leader in vaccines, biotechnology, agricultural products, animal health care and medical devices. For
more information on Wyeth-Ayerst, contact Doug Petkus at 1-610-971-4980.
Biomatrix, Inc., headquartered in Ridgefield, New Jersey is an international biomedical company that develops, manufactures
and commercializes viscoelastic products made from proprietary biological polymers called hylans, used in therapeutic medical
applications and in skin care products.
In addition to Synvisc, Biomatrix manufactures, and sells abroad through distributors, four other elastoviscous therapeutic
products: Hylaform(R) for the correction of facial wrinkles and depressed scars, two Hylashield(R) products for the protection
of the surface of the eye from noxious environmental conditions, and Gelvisc(R) Vet for the treatment of arthritis in animals.
For more information on Biomatrix, please visit the Company's web site at www.biomatrix.com.
In clinical trials, mild to moderate transient local pain, swelling, and/or effusion occurred in 2.2% of intra-articular injections of
Synvisc. Systemic adverse effects were reported rarely and did not recur with repeat Synvisc injection. During intra-articular
administration, strict adherence to aseptic technique must be followed to avoid joint infection. For further information, see
Prescribing Information.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not
limited to, the regulatory approval process, obtaining and enforcing patents, product liability, manufacturing, and other risks
detailed in Biomatrix' reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act, including Forms 10-Q and Biomatrix' annual report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. |
