Content about Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals

WAYNE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new intrauterine device for preventing pregnancy made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker said.

Bayer announced the approval of Skyla (levonorgestrel-releasing uterine system), which can prevent pregnancy for up to three years. The IUD contains 13.5 mg of levonorgestrel.

Nearly 50% of pregnancies in the United States are unintended, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

PITTSBURGH — Bayer on Tuesday announced that on July 1, Philip Blake will become senior Bayer representative USA, following a common company practice of assigning this oversight role to a senior executive already holding a significant business role or roles within the region.

“Phil Blake is a highly valued and respected leader at Bayer,” stated Richard Pott, member of the management board of Bayer. “Having been with Bayer for more than 30 years, he brings a wealth of experience to this new role.”

WAYNE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new formulation of a drug for postmenopausal women.

Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals said the FDA approved a lower-dose formulation of Angeliq (drospirenone and estradiol) tablets, used to treat moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms due to menopause in women who have a uterus. The new formulation contains 0.25-mg drospirenone and 0.5-mg estradiol, while the previously approved formulation contained 0.5-mg drospirenone and 1-mg estradiol.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic oral contraceptive made by Sandoz, the company said Wednesday.

Sandoz, the generics arm of Swiss drug maker Novartis, announced the launch of Syeda (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) tablets in the 3-mg/0.03-mg strength.

The drug is a generic version of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals’ Yasmin. Yasmin and generic versions of the drug had sales of about $365 million during the 12-month period ended in April, according to IMS Health.

WAYNE, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration will expedite its review of an investigational drug made by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for treating tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, the company said Tuesday.

MONTVILLE, N.J. — Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals and the World Federation of Hemophilia announced Thursday a three-year extension of Bayer’s sponsorship agreement with the WFH.

The agreement calls for Bayer to serve as the sole sponsor of the WFH’s International Hemophilia Training Centre program and provide support for other activities of the organiztion, such as its website and Congress. The program trains healthcare professionals in developing countries in diagnosis and management of hemophilia and related bleeding disorders.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday announced it is working with the March of Dimes and television personality Vanessa Minnillo on a public health message to help educate all women of reproductive age about the importance of folate and folic acid through a national educational campaign called Girlfriends for Folate.

DailyCandy.com also has committed to engaging its extensive membership of women to help spread the word about daily folate supplementation, Bayer said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new oral contraceptive from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

The FDA announced Friday the approval of Beyaz (estrogen and progestin) tablets. The pills also contain a folate known as levomefolate calcium. Low folate levels in the body are associated with such conditions as spina bifida, and physicians recommend that women of childbearing age supplement their diets with folate.