Merz Pharma Canada Ltd.: New XEOMIN(R) is Now Available for the Treatment of Blepharospasm, Cervical Dystonia(i) and Post-Stroke Spasticity

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 22, 2009) - Merz Pharma Canada Ltd. announces new XEOMIN® (Botulinum neurotoxin type A) is now available for prescribing to patients with the following serious, debilitating neuromuscular conditions:

Blepharospasm: The involuntary forced closure of the eyelids. Blepharospasm symptoms may begin with uncontrollable blinking of only one eye, but often both eyes are eventually affected. The spasms may leave the eyelids completely closed causing functional blindness even though the eyes and vision are normal.(1)

Cervical Dystonia(i): Cervical dystonia, also called spasmodic torticollis, is a painful condition in which neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to twist to one side or uncontrollably tilt forward or back.

Cervical dystonia most often occurs in middle-aged women. Symptoms generally begin gradually but after a period of three to five years the condition will often stabilize and not progress beyond that point.(2)(3)

Post-Stroke Spasticity: One of the most physically debilitating effects of a stroke is uncontrolled muscle tightness, often accompanied by pain and reduced function. Patients frequently have difficulty walking or using their hands.

There is a distinction between focal and generalized spasticity. Focal spasticity affects a smaller part of the body, such as a hand or an extremity. Generalized spasticity affects greater areas of the body or the whole body. Because of these differences in severity, the approach to treatment will vary.(4)

For further information on any of these conditions contact your physician.

New XEOMIN®, free from complexing proteins, is now available in Canada. Merz Pharma Canada Ltd. is confident that physicians will find new XEOMIN® to be a neurotoxin option worth considering for many of their patients.

(i) Predominantly rotational form (spasmodic torticollis)

1. MedicineNet.com (www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=2481) 2. MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/spasmodic-torticollis/DS00836) 3. Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/faq_prognosis/106.php) 4. StrokeRecoveryCanada.com (http://www.strokerecoverycanada.com/srcEnglish/english/SpasticityMadeSimpleNewsletter.asp)