Ferring Research Infertility and Gynaecology GrAnt (FRIGGA) 2008 Winners Announced

Barcelona (ots/PRNewswire) - The winners of the Ferring
Research Infertility and Gynaecology GrAnt (FRIGGA) are announced
today at the European Society for Human Reproduction & Embryology
Congress. The two winners of this new prize are the University
Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands and the Universitair
Ziekenhuis (UZ) Brussel, Centre for Reproductive Medicine,Belgium.

The winning research institutions were selected for their
outstanding proposals for fundamental research to help gain an
increased understanding of the role of human chorionic gonadotrophin
(hCG) in assisted reproduction.

"We received a high standard of entries with seven considered in
the final judging stage. The judging panel found that the two winning
proposals were both innovative and feasible and could help deepen our
understanding of an important factor in successful fertility
treatment," comments Professor Paul Devroey, Chairman of the FRIGGA
judging panel and Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the Centre
for Reproductive Medicine, Brussels Free University, Belgium.

The grant is named after Frigga, the goddess of fertility,
motherhood, love, family and home from Scandinavian mythology. FRIGGA
is a biennial, global grant for fundamental fertility and gynaecology
research that was launched by Ferring in January 2008. It received
global interest, with 53 entries from 22 countries across the globe.
The entries were reviewed anonymously by an independent judging panel
composed of experts from around the world. The winning research must
be completed and presented by 2010.

"We at Ferring are strongly committed to this area of medicine
which we believe benefits not just those who wish to become parents,
but society as a whole. The Ferring Research Infertility and
Gynaecology Grant - The FRIGGA Award - underlines our continuing
commitment to take the lead in ART," says Dr. Pascal Danglas,
Executive Vice President, Clinical R&D and Product Development,
Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Ziekenhuis University, Brussel,
Belgium.

Research title: Among ICSI patients who undergo antagonist
protocols with recombinant FSH, what is the influence on the gene
expression profile of the endometrium when recombinant FSH is
replaced by 200 IU of hCG in the late follicular phase?

Dr Christophe Blockeel, the principal applicant awarded the prize
of 50,000 Euros, is a Fellow in Reproductive Medicine and Clinical
Tutor at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussels, Belgium.
Since its creation in 1983, the Centre for Reproductive Medicine has
played a pioneering role in the development and enhancement of
reproductive techniques. For decades the Centre has been a major
player on the international scene in its discipline.

"We are very excited and proud to win this award. Research is
exciting but to win such an award brings even greater motivation to
continue our work. Appreciation from our team and staff is so
important but to get appreciation from a company like Ferring is
really something." Dr Christophe Blockeel.

University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Research title: Assessment of oocyte quality by embryo aneuploidy
rates and cumulus cell gene expression: effect of late follicular
phase hCG administration.

Dr Esther Baart, principal applicant of the second winning
institution also awarded 50,000 Euros is a Clinical Embryologist and
researcher in the Department of Reproduction and Gynaecology,
University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMC Utrecht). UMC Utrecht is one
of the largest public healthcare institutions in The Netherlands and
is renowned for the quantity and quality of their international
scientific publications. This high position can be attributed to a
number of both clinical and pre-clinical research groups and national
and international collaboration is an important positive factor in
this.

"Receiving the award gives an enormous boost for our research. We
feel looking at gene expression in cumulus cells will help understand
the mechanism behind different ovarian stimulation protocols and how
they influence oocyte quality. It is an honour for the value of our
research to be recognised." Dr Esther Baart.

Infertility

Infertility is generally defined as the inability to conceive
naturally after one year of trying to become pregnant by unprotected
intercourse. Infertility does not mean sterility, but it does signify
a reduction in the chances of conceiving a child spontaneously.
According to the World Health Organisation, between 60 and 80 million
couples in the world are Infertile(1), and one in six couples have to
seek help to conceive(2). The problem is found to lie with the male
in nearly half of cases, although many attribute the rise of
infertility to women opting to postpone motherhood until later in
life, which often results in age-related infertility.

About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a research-driven, specialty
biopharmaceutical group active in global markets. The company
identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the areas of
fertility, obstetrics, urology, gastroenterology and endocrinology.
Ferring's fertility portfolio of treatments gives infertile couples
the chance to have babies and includes its flagship brand MENOPUR(R),
a recognised high quality treatment for infertility. Ferring has
operating subsidiaries in over 50 countries. To learn more about
Ferring or our products please visit http://www.ferring.com.

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(1) http://www.who.int/en/

(2) Hull, MG et al. Population study of causes, treatment, and
outcome of infertility. British Medical Journal. 1985 Dec
14;291(6510):1693-7

ots Originaltext: Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For further information or to arrange an interview with the award
winners, please contact: Amy Sharples, Greenhouse Communications,
Tel: +44(0)7905-665-112, E-mail:
amy.sharples@greenhouse-communications.com