US Food and Drug Administration Approves RECOTHROM

Bayer HealthCare announced today that its partner, ZymoGenetics Inc., received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of RECOTHROM™ Thrombin, topical (recombinant) for use as a topical hemostatic product. Bayer acquired the product rights for all markets outside the US in 2007 and will provide US sales support for a three-year period as part of a co-promotion agreement.
“The first regulatory approval of RECOTHROM is a significant signal of the product’s strong clinical data,” said Hans Bishop, Head of Bayer’s global Hematology/Cardiology Business Unit. “RECOTHROM is an attractive addition to our specialty pharmaceutical portfolio. Our partnership with ZymoGenetics demonstrates Bayer’s continued focus on working collaboratively with innovative biotechnology companies to develop and commercialize novel protein therapeutics.”

RECOTHROM, previously referred to as rThrombin, is the first and only recombinant, plasma-free thrombin approved for use as a topical hemostatic product. The FDA has approved RECOTHROM as an aid to hemostasis whenever oozing blood and minor bleeding from capillaries and small venules is accessible and control of bleeding by standard surgical techniques is ineffective or impractical.

The FDA approval of RECOTHROM triggers a US-Dollar 40 million milestone payment from Bayer to ZymoGenetics. ZymoGenetics will compensate Bayer HealthCare for its US sales efforts by paying a tiered commission of up to 20% on US sales and up to US-Dollar 20 million in sales bonus payments upon achievement of certain US sales levels during a three-year co-promotion period.

About RECOTHROM™
RECOTHROM is a recombinant form of human thrombin that is structurally and functionally similar to human thrombin. It is not derived from animal or human blood. With thrombin being used in more than 1 million surgeries each year in the United States, RECOTHROM gives surgeons the opportunity to provide their patients with a plasma-free thrombin alternative for surgical hemostasis. The production of recombinant proteins is not dependent on the availability of blood from animals or human donors and can be scaled-up to meet market demand.

About Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of healthcare, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.

Bayer Schering Pharma is a worldwide leading specialty pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging, Hematology/Cardiology, Oncology, Primary Care, Specialized Therapeutics and Women's Healthcare. With innovative products, Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life. Find more information at www.bayerscheringpharma.de.