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WALTHAM, Mass., May 23, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the nation's leading network of dialysis facilities, announced today new educational resources to enhance RightStart(TM), its innovative program designed to educate and empower new dialysis patients.

The new RightStart materials are tailored for in-center and home patients beginning dialysis, and are intended for use during their first four months of treatment and as ongoing reference. The new resources were developed to:

-- Enhance the patient's quality of life

-- Minimize complications from renal failure and maximize the patient's health

-- Increase the patient's adherence to his or her treatment regimen

-- Increase the patient's knowledge, skill and confidence in managing health problems

-- Reduce hospitalizations and premature mortality

"These new RightStart resources are part of an ongoing effort to help newly-diagnosed dialysis patients feel more comfortable and informed as they begin treatment," said Carolyn Latham, Vice President of Clinical Quality and UltraCare(R) at Fresenius Medical Care. "The program provides personalized education combined with consistent follow-through to truly engage patients and help them live a better life on dialysis."

RightStart, the first program of its kind, pioneered strategies for improving outcomes for new dialysis patients by providing intensive education, encouragement and support to help them manage their own treatment and health. In designing the program, FMCNA sought to address some of the reversible risk factors contributing to early mortality, such as poor nutrition, anemia, poor mineral metabolism, cardiac issues, inadequate dialysis dose, and lack of patient empowerment. The program uses an interdisciplinary team approach to patient education involving physicians, nurses, social workers and dietitians who assess each patient's learning style and capabilities.

The new RightStart educational resources include information guides, videos and other tools to help patients understand how dialysis works, available treatment options, dietary restrictions and related materials that explain what to expect when they begin treatment. These resources are designed to help new patients get off to the best possible start on dialysis.

The new materials include a "We Care About Your Health" audio card and DVDs in English and Spanish entitled, "What to Expect When You Start In-Center Hemodialysis," "What to Expect When You Start Home Dialysis" and "Feeling Good Starts With a Great Access."

RightStart demonstrates FMCNA's UltraCare(R) mission of delivering excellent, patient-centered care through innovative programs, the latest technology, continuous quality improvement and a focus on superior customer service.

Dialysis is a life-sustaining process that cleans waste products from the blood, removes extra fluids and controls the body's chemistry when a person's kidneys fail. Dialysis patients typically require treatment on an ongoing basis unless they receive a kidney transplant.

About Fresenius Medical Care

Fresenius Medical Care /quotes/zigman/167711/quotes/nls/fms FMS -0.93% is the world's leading company devoted to patient-centered renal therapy. Through more than 2,890 clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, we provide kidney dialysis treatments to approximately 233,000 patients worldwide. We are also the world's leading maker of dialysis products, such as dialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Chronic kidney failure is a condition that affects more than 2.1 million individuals worldwide.

For more information about the company's more than 1,850 U.S. dialysis facilities, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com (in English and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, visit www.fmc-ag.com or www.fmcna.com .

SOURCE: Fresenius Medical Care North America

        
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Zytoprotec, a company developing drugs based on active cytoprotection, today announced the completion of a Phase I/II clinical trial with its lead product, PD-protec™. The product is developed to improve the treatment of patients with kidney failure.

“This randomized cross-over trial has shown that PD-protec™ is safe and well-tolerated”, said Dr. Christoph Aufricht, Chief Scientific Officer of Zytoprotec. “The trial was also designed to provide biological material to be analyzed for indicators of efficacy. While we are currently processing the samples, we see first hints that PD-protec™ may improve survival of abdominal cells in peritoneal dialysis.”

“I am very pleased that Zytoprotec has reached this important clinical milestone for its lead product”, said Peter C. Weilguni, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. “Our development team has demonstrated great discipline and I am confident that we will be able to initiate the Phase II trial with PD-protec™ in autumn this year. We are currently preparing for the financing of this trial, and are in advanced negotiations with a venture fund closely linked to a global pharmaceutical company. “

Karl Altenhuber, co-founder of Zytoprotec and Chairman of its Advisory Board, commented: “I am proud that Zytoprotec advanced from start-up to clinical stage in just five years and built a strong IP-position for its cytoprotective dialysates. It is particularly encouraging to see the substantial interest in the Company and its promising drug programs shown by global pharmaceutical leaders.”

About PD-protec™ and Peritoneal Dialysis
PD-protec™ is a novel dialysate used in peritoneal dialysis (PD), an established treatment for patients suffering from renal failure. Currently the use of PD is limited as PD fluids inevitably damage the cells in the patient’s abdomen. PD-protec™ includes a compound that is designed to actively protect abdominal cells, improving treatment outcomes. The compound is patent-protected by Zytoprotec.

Out of 2 mio patients depending on dialysis, 200,000 are treated with PD. Due to the ageing of the population and a “western” life-style, the number of dialysis patients (including PD) is growing. Improved PD fluids have the potential to significantly expand the proportion of PD within this growing market.

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EXTON, Pa., May 23, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BioTrends Research Group, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, announces the release of its 2012 ChartTrends(R): Bone and Mineral Metabolism in Dialysis (U.S.) report, the seventh in an ongoing annual series. The study was conducted with 226 U.S. nephrologists who completed detailed chart reviews for 1,061 dialysis patients. This is also the second ChartTrends report published since the dialysis bundle legislation was implemented in January 2011.

The study found that nephrologists tend to overestimate the percent of dialysis patients being treated with phosphate binders and that, compared to just one year ago, dialysis-audited prevalence of binders has declined. This binder treatment prevalence level is approaching that of Europe, which historically has been lower than the United States.

Dialysis patients with known or suspected arterial calcification are directionally more likely to be treated with phosphate binders compared to those without calcification; yet the use of calcium-based binders does not differ between the two groups. Nephrologists appear to be initiating binder type (e.g., non-calcium vs. calcium) based on calcium levels with patients with higher calcium levels typically receiving non-calcium based binders such as Sanofi's sevelamer (Renagel, Renvela) or Shire's Fosrenol.

The study also found sevelamer is the market share leader in the dialysis patient population, with little change in share amongst the other binder brands compared to last year. Patients on non-calcium based binders (particularly Fosrenol) are more likely to be on Amgen's Sensipar compared to those on calcium-based binders (particularly calcium acetate).

Sensipar, excluded from the bundle until 2014, appears to be little impacted by bundling to date. Although some expected Sensipar to benefit from its bundle exclusion, the percent of hemodialysis patients treated with Sensipar has not changed compared to the prior year. This may be due in part to the liberalization of parathyroid hormone (PTH) goals implemented by a number of dialysis units. Compared to last year, more patients are started on Sensipar at PTH levels greater than 600 pg/mL and the overall mean PTH level at Sensipar initiation is significantly higher.

The study also evaluated referral patterns, co-morbidities, concomitant medications, hospitalizations and a host of other patient demographics and laboratory data. BioTrends is publishing ChartTrends: CKD (non-dialysis) reports later this year in both the United States and Europe. Additional ChartTrends: Dialysis reports have been published in Europe (2012 publication scheduled for October 2012), China and Latin America (Brazil, Argentina and Mexico).

ChartTrends: Bone and Mineral Metabolism in Dialysis (U.S.) is a syndicated annual report series, in which over 200 U.S. nephrologists provide patient chart data on 1,000 dialysis patients in the United States to uncover the actual management related to bone and mineral metabolism. Through an in-depth review of patient charts, details such as product dosing and titration, switching, concomitant medications and a host of laboratory and patient demographic variables, help define patient types and identify therapy triggers.

About BioTrends Research Group

BioTrends Research Group provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please contact us at (610) 321-9400 or www.bio-trends.com .

About Decision Resources Group

Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com .

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE: BioTrends Research Group

        
        BioTrends Research Group, LLC 
        Rob Dubman, 781-993-2592 
        
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        Decision Resources Group 
        Lisa Osgood, 781-993-2606 
        
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Copyright Business Wire 2012

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