Bayer Biological Products Launches Initiative to Aid Kogenate(R) FS Patients Multi-faceted patient assistance initiative developed in response to community needs RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer Biological Products (BP) has launched a patient assistance initiative in the United States for eligible patients receiving treatment with Kogenate(R) FS (Antihemophilic Factor [Recombinant], Formulated with Sucrose). The Bayer Kogenate(R) FS Assure Program (BKAP) is comprised of four components -- a coupon-based program, patient assistance program, insurance support program, and HELPline, (800) 288-8374, a service that will answer questions about BKAP, eligibility, enrollment, and general reimbursement issues. The Kogenate(R) FS Reliance Program is designed to help patients continue treatment with Kogenate(R) FS in the event of a lapse in private health insurance coverage. Beginning August 1, 2004, for every three months of continuous Kogenate(R) FS use, eligible patients can receive a coupon redeemable for one free month of Kogenate(R) FS to cover any gaps in their private health insurance coverage. Patients must enroll in the program prior to the insurance gap and must be on Kogenate(R) FS for a continuous year to redeem coupons. Up to six coupons from similar programs offered by other manufacturers of recombinant factor VIII will be accepted, provided a patient enrolls in the program before Dec. 31, 2004. Patients lacking private insurance may be eligible to obtain Kogenate(R) FS (Antihemophilic Factor [Recombinant], Formulated with Sucrose) through the Kogenate(R) FS Patient Assistance Program, a second component of BKAP. In this program, patients who are legal U.S. residents, without private insurance, and who meet household income criteria may receive short-term assistance to obtain Kogenate(R) FS. The Grant Insurance Support Program supports Patient Services Incorporated (PSI), a national non-profit organization. PSI offers a number of services, including helping patients locate and obtain various health insurance policies. PSI also offers eligible patients assistance with the cost of prohibitive insurance premium payments. By contacting the HELPline, a program analyst will refer callers to PSI. The final component of BKAP is the Bayer Biological Reimbursement HELPline. Program analysts specially trained to assist people living with hemophilia and their families will provide information and answer questions about Kogenate(R) FS, the BKAP program, or general reimbursement issues. The HELPline is available weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, and can be reached via the toll-free number, (800) 288-8374. Patients, caregivers, and treaters are encouraged to call for assistance concerning BKAP eligibility and enrollment. "Bayer BP continually strives to develop products, technologies, and programs to advance the state of care for people living with hemophilia and their caregivers," said Terry Tenbrunsel, vice president, U.S. Sales and Marketing, Bayer Biological Products Division. "However, we recognize our products may be inaccessible to some members of the community we serve. To address that concern, Bayer BP is proud to announce the Bayer Kogenate(R) FS Assure Program as a continuation of its industry-leading support for the hemophilia community." Bayer BP remains steadfast in its commitment to shaping the future of hemophilia care, particularly in the areas of safety and convenience that translate into demonstrable improvements in the lives of patients. Bayer BP expects to launch BIO-SET(R), a new needleless device that includes a prefilled syringe for the reconstitution and use of Kogenate(R) FS and KOGENATE(R) Bayer, in early 2005. Additionally, Bayer BP is introducing EZ- Log, a handheld electronic diary offering patients a new way to record home treatments and bleeding episodes, track product supply, and submit refill requests. BIO-SET(R) is a registered trademark of Biodome. About Kogenate(R) FS Kogenate(R) FS (Antihemophilic Factor [Recombinant], Formulated with Sucrose) is a recombinant factor VIII treatment for hemophilia A that offers a more convenient administration by utilizing a 2.5 mL diluent, the smallest among available factor VIII products. Kogenate(R) FS does not use albumin in its purification or formulation, and includes a solvent/detergent viral inactivation step, thereby further reducing the potential risk of viral transmission. Kogenate(R) FS is manufactured at Bayer BP's state-of-the-art biotechnology facility in Berkeley, Calif. About Bayer HealthCare AG Bayer HealthCare AG, a subgroup of Bayer AG with sales of approximately 8.9 billion Euro in 2003, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry. The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diagnostics Professional Testing Systems, and Diagnostics Self Testing Systems and Pharmaceuticals. 34,600 people are employed by Bayer HealthCare worldwide. Our aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Our products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing, and treating disease. Information about Bayer Biological Products Division can be found at http://www.bayerbiologicals.com/. Forward-looking statements This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. DATASOURCE: Bayer Biological Products CONTACT: Tricia McKernan of Bayer, +1-919-316-6316, fax, +1-919-316-6673,

Copyright