Ferring Pharmaceuticals Announces Disco Icon Gloria Gaynor as National Spokesperson for EUFLEXXA(R)

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. announces that Grammy Award winner Gloria Gaynor will serve as the national spokesperson for the company's hyaluronic acid treatment therapy, EUFLEXXA® (1% sodium hyaluronate), for the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis (OA).  The announcement comes as Gaynor celebrates the 30th anniversary of her number one hit single, "I Will Survive."  Gaynor has been nicknamed the "Queen of Disco" and her songs and iconic voice define a generation.    

Gaynor was diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis in 1984, when she was 41 years old. She tried many options from ice packs to pain medications. In 2009, after her doctor recommended EUFLEXXA, Gloria began to feel relief.  

"I can walk up and down stairs with ease and stand with minimal pain -- even from a lower seat which was always very painful," said Gaynor.  "I am able to do more activities on stage now with less pain, which has always been my greatest passion."  In the last year, Gloria has also lost 55 pounds due to her increased activity and is still traveling and performing all over the world.

As the national spokesperson for EUFLEXXA, Gaynor hopes to increase awareness of knee OA and educate those who suffer from knee pain about the treatment options that are available to them.  "We are proud to have such an amazing entertainer as the face of our product," said Bill Garbarini, VP Orthopaedics/Urology Business Unit at Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.  "Gloria is as passionate as we are about providing education about osteoarthritis of the knee and possible treatment options for the associated pain."

About EUFLEXXA

EUFLEXXA® (1% sodium hyaluronate) is used to relieve knee pain due to osteoarthritis. It is used in people who do not get enough relief from simple pain medications such as acetaminophen or from exercise and physical therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

You should not receive this product if you have had any previous allergic reaction to EUFLEXXA® or hyaluronan products. You should not have an injection into the knee if you have a knee joint infection or if you have skin disease or infection around the injection site.

EUFLEXXA® is only for injection into the knee performed by a qualified doctor. After you receive this injection you may need to avoid activities such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing on your feet for a long time (more than one hour). The safety and effectiveness of repeat treatment cycles of EUFLEXXA® have not been established. The safety and effectiveness of EUFLEXXA® have not been shown in people under 18 years of age.

Side effects sometimes seen when EUFLEXXA® is injected into the knee joint were pain, swelling, skin irritation, and tenderness and these were generally mild and did not last long.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a subsidiary of Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company.  Ferring Pharmaceuticals offers a line of products in the U.S. market.  They include: BRAVELLE® (urofollitropin for injection, purified), MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection, USP) and REPRONEX® (menotropins for injection, USP), NOVAREL® (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP), ENDOMETRIN® (progesterone) Vaginal Insert, 100 mg, FIRMAGON® (degarelix for injection), PROSED® DS (methenamine, phenyl salicylate, methylene blue, benzoic acid, hyoscyamine sulfate), and EUFLEXXA® (1% sodium hyaluronate).

Ferring Pharmaceuticals specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, obstetrics/gynecology, and infertility.  For more information, call 1-888-FERRING (1-888-337-7464) or visit www.FerringUSA.com.

SOURCE Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.