New once daily tablet for Parkinson's disease launched

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mirapexin (pramipexole), the world’s most widely prescribed dopamine agonist for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is now available as a single 24-hour dose.

Bracknell, 20th October 2009 - Today sees the launch of a new once daily tablet of Mirapexin (pramipexole) prolonged release for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD).  For patients, this means added convenience in dosing. Research shows health professionals believe that one daily formulations may help people to take the right amount of their PD medicine each day as they only have to remember to take it once.

Many patients already taking Mirapexin in a three times a day form should be able to switch to the once daily prolonged release formulation overnight and studies support this with almost 85% of patients successfully switched to the once daily overnight.^{1 In clinical trials, once daily Mirapexin prolonged release was as effective as the three times a day formulation at the same daily dose.^2}

PD is a progressive, degenerative disease that affects walking, talking and writing.  One of the symptoms of PD is an inability to control movement, which leads to slowness, stiffness and involuntary shaking of hands, legs and head. Mirapexin prolonged release has been proven to be an effective treatment in the control of motor symptoms at all stages of PD.^{2-4}

Up to two fifths of people who suffer from PD also suffer from low mood. Mirapexin can significantly reduce depressive symptoms associated with PD. ^{5-7}

Patients with PD are likely to be elderly and suffering from other conditions, such as back problems, arthritis and high blood pressure. Such conditions often require medication, which means that many patients will be taking several tablets at the same time and that may lead to confusion and missed doses.^{8 Studies have shown that the more complex the dosing regimens, the more likely it is that patients will not take their medication as instructed by their doctor.^9}

Professor Andrew Lees, University College London, comments, “Learning to accept and live with PD is crucially important to the long-term wellbeing of patients.  Having different treatment and dosing options so that patients can choose which best fits their lifestyle helps with this.”

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For more information please contact:
Jon Hearson
Communications
Boehringer Ingelheim
01344 74 2779

Note to editors

Mirapexin (pramipexole) is manufactured by the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer-Ingelheim.  Once daily Mirapexin is licensed for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic PD, used alone or in combination with levodopa.^10

About Boehringer-Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 138 affiliates in 47 countries and 41,300 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the independent, family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

In 2008, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 11.6 billion euro while spending one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.

For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk

References 
1. Rascol O et al. AAN 2009, 25 April – 2 May 2009; WA, USA. Abstract P06.152.
2. Salin et al. AAN 2009, 25 April-2 May 2009: Seattle, WA, USA Abstract P06.150.
3. Hauser R et al. AAN 2209, 25 April-2 May 2009: Seattle, WA, USA. Abstract S43.003. 4. Schapira A et al. MDS 13th International Congress 2009; Poster WE- 199.
5. Barone P et al. J Neurol 2006; 253:601-607.
6. Lemke MR et al. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2005; 17(2):214-220.
7. Barone P et al. AAN 2009, 25 April-2 May 2009: Seattle, WA, USA. Abstract S43.004. 8. Pohar SL, Allyson JC. The burden of Parkinson’s disease and concomitant comorbidities. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2009
9. Grosset D et al. Mov Disord 2009; 24:826-32
10. Mirapexin Prolonged Release Tablets SPC.

 

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Enters into Agreement to Acquire Certain Assets of Fort Dodge Animal Health from Pfizer

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Acquisition will strengthen Boehringer Ingelheim’s position as a vaccine supplier among the world’s top animal health companies

Ingelheim, Germany and St. Joseph, MO (September 22, 2009) –
Boehringer Ingelheim, a global pharmaceutical group of companies, together with its U.S. animal health business Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Pfizer to acquire certain assets of Wyeth Pharmaceutical’s Fort Dodge Animal Health business upon the closing of the global Pfizer-Wyeth merger, which is expected to occur early in the fourth quarter. The deal, which is subject to anti-trust clearance, significantly increases the size of Boehringer Ingelheim’s companion animal and cattle portfolios.

If approved, the deal would clear the way for Boehringer Ingelheim to acquire a significant portion of the Fort Dodge product portfolio in several countries, as well as manufacturing and research facilities located in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In the U.S. and Canada Boehringer Ingelheim will own and market the pet and cattle vaccine lines as well as a wide range of pharmaceuticals for pets, cattle and other species. In Canada, several swine vaccines are also part of the package. In Australia, Boehringer Ingelheim will own and market the Fort Dodge pet vaccines and in some European countries and in South Africa certain cattle vaccines.

“Fort Dodge Animal Health is a global industry leader recognized for its commitment to cutting-edge research and development with a product portfolio that is an excellent strategic fit with our existing product lines,” said Hubertus von Baumbach, Member of the Board of Managing Directors of Boehringer Ingelheim responsible for Finance and Animal Health. “This acquisition gives us further opportunity to focus on the development of innovative animal health products through internal research and external collaboration to bring even greater benefit to veterinarians and animal owners.”

Prof. Andreas Barner, Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of Boehringer Ingelheim added that, “The widening of our Animal Health business and our product portfolio is not a sales-driven decision, but rather is driven by the opportunity to add momentum to our strategy for organic growth since we will build more capabilities in the core vaccine segment and expand our already strong product lines. We look forward to applying our innovative culture to the products included in this acquisition.”

About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 138 affiliates in 47 countries and approximately 41,300 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

In 2008, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 11.6 billion euro (US $17 billion) while spending approximately one-fifth of net sales in its largest business segment, Prescription Medicines, on research and development.

www.boehringer-ingelheim.com</a>

Please be advised
This release is from Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Headquarters in Germany. Please be aware that there may be national differences between countries regarding specific medical information, including licensed uses. Please take account of this when referring to the information provided in this document. This press release is not intended for distribution within the U.S.A.

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Contact
Julia Meyer-Kleinmann
Corporate Division Communications
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
55216 Ingelheim/Germany
Phone: + 49 - 6132 – 77 8271
Fax: + 49 - 6132 – 77 6601
press@boehringer-ingelheim.com</a>

Boehringer Ingelheim - Press Release

New once daily tablet for Parkinson's disease launched

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Enters into Agreement to Acquire Certain Assets of Fort Dodge Animal Health from Pfizer