PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that its hyaluronic acid therapy EUFLEXXA(TM) (1% sodium hyaluronate) will serve as a bronze medal sponsor of the 2007 Huntsman World Senior Games, to be held from October 8 -- October 20 in St. George, Utah.
“By sponsoring the Huntsman World Senior Games, we hope to increase public awareness of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and its treatment options, while supporting those who live with the condition every day,” said William Garbarini, Executive Director for Sales and Marketing, Orthopedic Business Unit at Ferring. “These Games send an important message about the priceless benefits of staying healthy and keeping active.”
EUFLEXXA(TM) spokesperson and 1976 Olympic Gold Medal winner Bruce Jenner is an inspiring example of this philosophy. Jenner, who suffers from the pain of knee OA, was the first person in the United States to be treated with EUFLEXXA(TM). He now travels the country speaking to physicians and patients about his experience with OA. “Osteoarthritis prevents so many people from being active,” said Jenner. “I’m lucky that I found pain relief through EUFLEXXA(TM) and can continue doing the things that I love. I encourage those who suffer from knee OA pain to talk to their doctors about their treatment options.”
“We are delighted to welcome EUFLEXXA(TM) to the Huntsman World Senior Games,” said Nancy Colarossi, Chief Financial Officer, Huntsman World Senior Games. “Ferring’s commitment to superior treatment options and healthy aging, represented so well by EUFLEXXA(TM), is a perfect complement to our deeply held philosophy of lifetime fitness.”
EUFLEXXA(TM), the first and only non-avian hyaluronic acid (HA) approved in the U.S. for the treatment of the pain caused by knee osteoarthritis (OA), received PMA approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 3, 2004, and became available to the public on November 8, 2005. For more information, visit www.EUFLEXXA.com.
Since its inception in 1987, the Huntsman World Senior Games has proudly welcomed thousands of serious athletes from across the globe to breathtaking St. George, Utah. Each year determined seniors, ages 50 and up, participate in 22 athletic events over two weeks. In 2007, the event is expected to draw approximately 10,000 athletes and 5,000 guests.
About EUFLEXXA(TM)
EUFLEXXA(TM) (1% sodium hyaluronate) is the first and only non-avian derived hyaluronic acid approved in the U.S. for the treatment of pain caused by knee osteoarthritis and is indicated for a three-injection treatment regimen for patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics. Since it is not derived from an avian source (chicken or rooster combs), the risk of related reactions is eliminated.(1,2) In addition, EUFLEXXA(TM) has properties similar to the HA in healthy human synovial fluid and is free of manufacturing chemicals which may minimize the risk of related reactions.(1-6)
EUFLEXXA(TM) received PMA approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 3, 2004, and became available to the public on November 8, 2005. For more information, visit www.EUFLEXXA.com.
About the Huntsman World Senior Games
The Huntsman World Senior Games began in 1987 thanks to the visionary perspective of Daisy and John H. Morgan, Jr., who believed the golden years are better when good health and physical fitness become a way of life, not an occasional hobby. In 1989 Jon M. Huntsman, Chairman of the Huntsman Corporation, became the Games’ principal sponsor after recognizing that the Games not only fostered lifetime fitness, but also expanded Utah’s economic vitality.
Since its inception, the Games have been open to all men and women meeting the age requirement (now age 50 and above). A small full-time staff works year round and is joined by more than 2,000 eager seasonal volunteers to host 22 athletic events over a two-week period each October. Headquartered in Southern Utah, HWSG has become a renowned event among serious athletes from Japan to Russia and from Alaska to Australia. Scores of foreign countries have participated in the Huntsman World Senior Games, where peace among nations is fostered through friendly competition.
In addition to athletic events, the Games promote health by providing life saving health screenings for serious health threats including breast cancer, prostate cancer, glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and decreased bone density.
Band concerts, dances, and awards socials for each sport are also part of the package, bringing athletes and guests together in a social atmosphere where they share in, and congratulate each other for, their achievements. This important aspect of the Games emphasizes the celebration of success for all participants, whether or not they win a medal.
As time marches on, the Huntsman World Senior Games will continue to promote worldwide Peace, Health, Friendship and FUN!
1 Schiavinato A, Finesso M, Cortivo R, & Abatangelo G (2002). Comparison of the effects of intra-articular injections of Hyaluronan and its chemically cross-linked derivative (Hylan G-F20) in normal rabbit knee joints. Clin Exp Rheumatol 20, 445-454.
2 Goomer RS, Leslie K, Maris T, & Amiel D (2005). Native hyaluronan produces less hypersensitivity than cross-linked hyaluronan. Clin Orthop Relat Res 239-245.
3 Leopold SS, Warme WJ, Pettis PD, & Shott S (2002). Increased frequency of acute local reaction to intra-articular hylan GF-20 (synvisc) in patients receiving more than one course of treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am 84-A, 1619- 1623.
4 Puttick MP, Wade JP, Chalmers A, Connell DG, & Rangno KK (1995). Acute local reactions after intraarticular hylan for osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol 22, 1311-1314.
5 Pullman-Mooar S, Mooar P, Sieck M, Clayburne G, & Schumacher HR (2002). Are there distinctive inflammatory flares after hylan g-f 20 intraarticular injections? J Rheumatol 29, 2611-2614.
6 Chen AL, Desai P, Adler EM, & Di Cesare PE (2002). Granulomatous inflammation after Hylan G-F 20 viscosupplementation of the knee : a report of six cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am 84-A, 1142-1147.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
CONTACT: Tara Fisher of Kovak-Likly Communications, +1-203-762-8833,tfisher@KLCpr.com, for Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Web site: http://www.EUFLEXXA.com/
