Serono announces the availability of Saizen for adult growth hormone deficiency

Jan 10 2005

Serono announced today the availability of Saizen [somatropin (rDNA origin) for injection] for use in the treatment of patients with adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD), following its FDA approval.

"This new indication for Saizen represents the evolution of our growth hormone portfolio and further demonstrates our commitment to the metabolic franchise," said James Sapirstein, executive vice president of Metabolic Endocrinology at Serono, Inc. "Patients with AGHD who are treated with Saizen therapy can use our easy-to-use drug delivery devices such as cool.click, a needle-free device that is preferred by pediatric patients and is now available for use by adults taking Saizen."

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD) can be effectively treated with Saizen. With the U.S. approval, patients who were growth hormone deficient during childhood and have growth hormone deficiency as an adult, may continue to use Saizen. In addition, adult patients who have adult onset growth hormone deficiency either alone, or associated with multiple hormone deficiencies, now have access to Saizen and its line of devices.

Saizen can be administered using a needle-free device, cool.click, the only FDA approved needle-free device for the administration of growth hormone. It can also be administered with a recently launched autoinjector pen device, one.click, or by traditional needle and syringe. Serono's portfolio of innovative devices gives patients the choice they want in growth hormone delivery.

Patients can learn more about Saizen and Serono's growth hormone delivery devices by talking with their physician, or by calling Serono Connections for Growth toll-free at 1-800-582-7989. The full prescribing information for Saizen can be found online at www.seronousa.com.

About Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD)

Growth hormone deficiency can be a significant problem for adults even though they no longer get taller. AGHD is recognized as a specific clinical syndrome with numerous physiological consequences, with effects on:

• Changes in body composition, including central obesity;
• Lipids in the blood;
• Muscle strength;
• Bone composition;
• Exercise capacity and energy;
• Cardiovascular risk; and
• Psychological well-being (social isolation and depression).

There are also studies indicating that patients with AGHD have an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, possibly attributable to their growth hormone (GH) deficiency.

GH deficiency in adults can result from a pituitary or peri-pituitary tumor or as a direct result of the surgery/radiation used to manage these conditions. Less commonly, GH deficiency in adults arises from a deficiency acquired in childhood.