MONHEIM, Germany, September 26 /PRNewswire/ --
It is the most common cause of death(1) in older cats, but one so subtle it often remains undetected until the cat falls suddenly ill. Chronic Renal Disease (CRD) affects the kidney functions of one-third of cats over 15 years(2), with an estimated 10% of all cats over 7 years at risk. And once it strikes, up to 85% of kidney function may be permanently lost(3) compromising both the quality and duration of the cat's life.
Today Bayer HealthCare's Animal Health division unveils a new solution to aid the management of chronic feline renal disease. Renalzin(R) is an innovative, easy-to-administer feed additive proven to support kidney function in ageing cats.
The main ingredient of Renalzin(R) is Bayer-registered Lantharenol(R) (lanthanum carbonate)(4), a phosphate binder derived from the latest research in renal failure.
Dr. Dennis Chew, veterinary urology and nephrology specialist at the Ohio State University says: "CRD is difficult to identify in early stages -- early intervention with treatment can prevent progression of CRD. Restriction of dietary phosphorus intake is known to be pivotal in the stabilization of CRD. Renalzin(R) provides a well-tolerated, palatable liquid formulation of a dietary phosphate binder that prevents phosphorus absorption across the intestine -- a beneficial effect is gained when added to the cat's normal diet or to a veterinary renal diet."
The innovative product contains two additional ingredients -- kaolin and vitamin E. Kaolin is a toxin binder which helps to reduce the absorption of toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. Vitamin E is known to reduce free radicals, improving immunity and protecting the integrity of cell membranes.
Renalzin(R) is taken with meals and binds to dietary phosphate within the gastrointestinal tract, preventing absorption of phosphorous from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. In this way it reduces the burden of elevated phosphorus and helps to protect the cat's kidneys.
Clinical studies demonstrate that Renalzin(R) causes significant decreases in phosphate absorption in cats on high and lower phosphate diets(5). Veterinarians also revealed that feline CRD patients taking Renalzin(R) while on a normal diet(6) showed improvements in general clinical examination parameters over a two month period.
Margaret Fairhurst, Head of Global Marketing at Bayer Animal Health adds: "Due to better care and better veterinary treatment the lifespan of cats is increasing. With an 80-year track record, we at Bayer Animal Health have developed scientific excellence in the veterinary field second to none and have helped to create treatments and applications that have shaped the animal health industry. Renalzin(R) is the latest innovative solution, helping to maintain cat health."
Renalzin(R) comes in a pump applicator that is very easy to use: one pump meters out 1 ml, and 2 ml is the recommended daily dose applied to and/or mixed with the cat's food. It can be given once or twice daily depending on the cat's feeding regimen.
Renalzin(R) will be available in Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, Benelux and Austria starting October this year, with other European countries ready for launch over the coming months.
About Bayer HealthCare
Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry. The company combines the activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The company's pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma AG. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover, develop, manufacture and market products that will improve human and animal health worldwide.
With sales of EUR 956 million (2007), the Animal Health Division is one of the world's leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The division produces and markets more than 100 different veterinary drugs and care products for livestock and companion animals.
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 annual and interim reports to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and in our reports filed 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 confirm them to future events or developments.
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References
(1) Lulich JP, O'Brien TD, Osbourne CA, Polzin DJ. Feline renal failure:
questions, answers, questions. Cd Cont Ed Pract Vet 1992, 26 Sep. (2) - :
127 - 151.
(2) Polzin DJ, Osbourne CA, Adams LG, Lulich JP. Medical management of
feline chronic renal failure. In, Bonagura JD, Kirk RW (eds).
Current Veterinarian Therapy X1. Philadelphia, PA, Saunders, 1992:
848-853.
(3) Grauer GF. Early detection of renal damage and disease in dogs and
cats. Vet Clin Small Animal 2005, 35: 581-596.
(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanthanum_c....
(5) Schmidt B, Spiecker-Hauser U, Gropp J. Effecrt of Lantharenol(R) on
apparent phosphorus absorption from a conventional feline
maintenance diet and a renal diet for cats. Proc Soc Nutr Physiol
(2008) 17, in press.
(6) Data submitted for publication.
Web site: http://www.viva.vita.bayerhealthcare.com...
Kerstin Nacken, of Bayer HealthCare, +49(0)2173-38-4019, kerstin.nacken@bayerhealthcare.com
