Organon And Schering AG To Continue Research In Male Fertility Control Separately

Main Category: Fertility
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry;  Men's health
Article Date: 23 Sep 2006 - 16:00 PDT

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Organon and Schering AG have announced that their research collaboration into a male hormonal contraceptive will conclude at the end of the phase II clinical trial.

Both companies described the collaboration as constructive, but came to the conclusion that the administration route investigated in the trial, which combined an annual implant with three-monthly injections, would unlikely result in a product that would be acceptable for widespread everyday use. Both companies remain committed to research in male contraception and will build on the knowledge gained from the collaboration to seek improvements in how such a contraceptive can be better administered.

The collaboration was announced in November 2002. The phase II trial which started in January 2004, was designed to test the reliability and acceptability of two hormones in combination which were known to have a suppressive effect on sperm production.

Commenting on the collaboration, David Nicholson, executive vice president, Global Research and Development, Organon, said: "The phase II trial was important as it showed that a progestogen combined with testosterone can work as a male contraceptive. Our next step is to find a way to make it easy to use and acceptable to the population.

Phil Smits, senior vice president, Global Business Unit Gynecology and Andrology, Schering, added: "For both Organon and Schering - as well as our clinical and scientific colleagues worldwide - this has been a long and demanding research program. However, we accept the challenge of developing what we have learned so far into a convenient contraceptive method for men. Male fertility control remains an important research area for Schering."

The trial medication and modes of administration were based on results from earlier studies showing that sperm production could be suppressed to contraceptive levels by the progestogen etonogestrel given as a subcutaneous implant, which was developed by Organon. While, at the same time, the resulting testosterone deficiency could be minimized with an injection of long-acting testosterone undecanoate, developed by Schering. Data from the trials will be jointly published upon final analysis.

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About Organon
Organon- with shared head offices in Roseland, NJ, USA and Oss, The Netherlands - creates, manufactures and markets innovative prescription medicines that improve the health and quality of human life. Through a combination of independent growth and business partnerships, Organon strives to remain or become one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies in each of its core therapeutic fields: fertility, gynecology, anesthesia and neuroscience. Research areas also include immunology and oncology. Organon products are sold in over 100 countries, of which more than 60 have an Organon subsidiary. Organon is the human health care business unit of Akzo Nobel.

About Schering AG
Schering AG is a research-based pharmaceutical company. Its activities are focused on four business areas: Gynecology & Andrology, Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging as well as Specialized Therapeutics for disabling diseases. As a global player with innovative products Schering AG aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. With in-house R&D and supported by an excellent global network of external partners, Schering AG is securing a promising product pipeline. Using new ideas, Schering AG aims to make a recognized contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life: making medicine work
Find additional information at: http://www.schering.de/eng

Organon Safe Harbor Statement*
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* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.

Schering AG Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release that are neither reported financial results nor other historical information are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and Schering AG plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Certain factors that may cause such differences are discussed in our Form 20-F and Form 6-K reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Schering AG undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.

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