Fertinex Improves Quality of Patient Care By Reducing Stress
NORWELL, Mass., Nov. 4, 1996 -- Fertinex(TM) (urofollitropin for injection,
purified), the latest development in infertility therapy, is the first
highly purified follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that can be administered
via subcutaneous injection (just under the skin). This represents a major
advance in patient comfort and, importantly, the ability for patients to
self-administer their therapy, allowing for greater independence and
convenience.
Because of its high purity (containing equal to or greater than 95% FSH),
Fertinex can be administered via subcutaneous injection. Conventional
hormone preparations used in the treatment of infertility must be administered
deep into muscle tissue, requiring a needle that can be up to five times
larger than a subcutaneous needle. In addition, intramuscular injection
usually is given with the aid of the patient's partner or healthcare
provider. Subcutaneous injection uses a very small needle and can be easily
self-administered with little discomfort. Easy self-administration can
help to reduce patient stress by providing greater independence and
convenience.
"Fertinex offers patients and reproductive specialists unmatched advantages
Fear of Intramuscular Injection
In a recent, national survey conducted by the independent polling firm of
Louis Harris and Associates, 79% of patients and partners found intramuscular
injection stressful and 68% found it difficult to administer. In addition,
even though 70% of patients reported they are more fearful of self-
administering an intramuscular injection than being injected by their
partner, 57% of patients said their partners were not always available to
administer all the necessary injections, causing 43% of patients to self-
administer their injections.
More than half (54%) of the partners polled were concerned about performing
the intramuscular injections incorrectly, thereby hurting their chances of
success. In fact, nearly one-third (31%) of the 165 infertility patients
Convenience of Self-Administration
The clear majority of survey respondents, 97% of medical professionals and
75% of patients and their partners, believe that subcutaneous injections
would be beneficial to patients undergoing infertility therapy. Self-
administered, subcutaneous injection offered by Fertinex will reduce the
level of stress and inconvenience previously experienced with intramuscular
preparations. In fact, 64% of patients and their partners reported that
subcutaneous delivery would have reduced the stress they experienced while
undergoing infertility therapy. Fertinex may also provide patients with a
new sense of independence and control over their therapy.
Serono Laboratories, Inc., is the United States member of The Ares-Serono
Group of companies. The Ares-Serono Group is a leading Swiss developer
and marketer of pharmaceutical products with executive headquarters in
Geneva, Switzerland. Ares-Serono operates subsidiaries and manufacturing
facilities in more than 25 countries. World leader in the treatment of
infertility, Ares-Serono is also active in the fields of growth, metabolism
and immunology/oncology. With seven recombinant products under development
, Ares-Serono is one of today's biotechnology leaders. Three of these
products are already marketed for various indications. Products of The
Ares-Serono Group are sold under the trademark Serono in over 90 countries
. Shares of Ares-Serono S.A., the parent company of Ares-Serono, are traded
on the Swiss stock exchanges.
