"The provision of drugs for treating neglected diseases is an essential component of our social engagement," said Andreas Fibig, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer Schering Pharma AG. "Combination therapy is an important new approach in the fight against African sleeping sickness. The collaboration with the WHO makes sure that this treatment really reaches the people affected."

About African sleeping sickness
According to the World Health Organization, half a million people suffer from this disease in tropical Africa. It claims up to 70,000 lives every year. The pathogens are parasites called trypanosoma. They are transmitted in the saliva of the tsetse fly when it bites humans. The chronic form of the disease is widespread especially in central and west Africa. People who have been infected don't notice it until months or even years later, when the typical symptoms break out: confusion, sensory disturbances, coordination problems, disturbances of the sleep-waking rhythm, and apathy. By this time the cause of the disease has already infected the brain and central nervous system. By contrast, the acute form, which is prevalent mainly in eastern and southern Africa, develops much more quickly. The first symptoms already appear within a few weeks: fever attacks, headaches, pains in the joints, swelling of the lymph nodes, and itching. Both forms of the disease are lethal if left untreated.

Bayer Schering Pharma has already been collaborating with the WHO since 2002 by supplying a drug with the active ingredient suramin for the monotherapy of an earlier stage of sleeping sickness.

About Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Bayer Schering Pharma, Consumer Care and Medical Care divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Find more information at external link: www.bayerhealthcare.com.

Bayer Schering Pharma is a worldwide leading specialty pharmaceutical company. Its research and business activities are focused on the following areas: Diagnostic Imaging, General Medicine, Specialty Medicine and Women's Healthcare. With innovative products, Bayer Schering Pharma aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide. Using new ideas, Bayer Schering Pharma aims to make a contribution to medical progress and strives to improve the quality of life. Find more information at external link: www.bayerscheringpharma.de.


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