Bayer to Expand Companion Animal Portfolio With Two New EU Product Approvals

Monheim, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) - Bayer today
announced that the European Commission has approved two new companion
animal products: Veraflox(R) (pradofloxacin) and Procox(R)
(emodepside and toltrazuril). Veraflox(R) is the first
next-generation veterinary fluoroquinolone antibiotic for the
treatment of bacterial infection in cats and dogs. Procox(R) is the
first and only licensed combination treatment for roundworm and
coccidia in dogs.

"Bayer Animal Health is proud to introduce these two innovative
treatments which will provide veterinarians with much needed,
effective new treatment options for a range of indications," said
Jean-Luc Lowinski, Managing Director of Bayer Animal Health. "As an
expert solution provider for animal health we have a strong and
ongoing commitment to researching and developing innovative ways to
address parasitic and bacterial infections in companion animals."

Veterinary antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones are an essential
weapon in the fight against infections in companion animals
worldwide. There have, however, been no major advances in the class
since the introduction of the first veterinary fluoroquinolone by
Bayer Animal Health over 20 years ago.

Veraflox(R) is the first next-generation veterinary
fluoroquinolone antibiotic for the treatment of bacterial infection
in cats and dogs and marks the first major advance in the
fluoroquinolone market in many years. Veraflox(R)'s mode of action
gives it enhanced antibacterial activity compared with existing
fluoroquinolones, including extended spectrum efficacy against
Gram-positive and anaerobic pathogens. The European Commission
granted approval for the treatment of the following infections caused
by specified and susceptible pathogens: wound infections, superficial
and deep pyoderma (bacterial skin infections), acute urinary tract
infections, and, as adjunctive treatment for severe gingival (gum)
and periodontal tissue infections in dogs, and against wound
infections, abscesses and acute upper respiratory tract infections in
cats (oral suspension). Veraflox is approved in 30 European countries
and will be launched in the first markets shortly.

Procox(R) is the first parasiticide of its kind for the
combination treatment of roundworm and coccidia gastrointestinal
parasitic infections in dogs, including puppies of at least two weeks
of age and weighing at least 0.4 kg. This is important as puppies are
extremely susceptible to parasitic infections in their early months.
Roundworms are often transmitted from the mother to the newborn, and
coccidia frequently occur during the first month of life. Due to its
single dose suspension formulation, which can be taken from two weeks
of age, Procox(R) offers an easy and convenient first time treatment
option for puppies.

Procox(R) is approved in 27 EU countries and the first launches
are planned for quarter 3, 2011.

About Veraflox(R)

Veraflox(R) has proven outstanding efficacy across a range of
infections in both cats and dogs. Veraflox(R) is safe and well
tolerated at the recommended therapeutic dose. In field studies of
over 700 dogs and cats, all adverse events with Veraflox(R) treatment
were mild and transient and comparable to the control group.
Extensive ocular safety testing has demonstrated that Veraflox(R) has
no adverse effects on feline retinas, even at ten times the recommend
therapeutic dose. Veraflox(R) is palatable with simple once daily
formulations - flavoured tablets for dogs and cats and a convenient
oral suspension for cats - helping facilitate compliance whilst
giving veterinarians optimal and flexible control over infections.
Unlike long-acting injectable antibiotics, veterinarians are able to
fully control treatment duration with Veraflox(R) as it is
administered daily.

About Procox(R)

Procox(R) is the first parasiticide of its kind for the
combination treatment of roundworm and coccidia gastrointestinal
parasitic infections in dogs. It treats infections with adult,
immature adult and larval stages of Toxocara canis and adult stages
of Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma caninum. In addition
Procox(R) is effective against the replication of coccidia and also
against the shedding of oocysts, thereby reducing the spread of
infection. Procox(R) is available in an easy and convenient oral
suspension. One administration is generally sufficient though it can
be given every two weeks, on up to five occasions if required.

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 subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 16.913
billion (2010), 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, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals
divisions. Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture
products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Bayer
HealthCare has a global workforce of 55,700 employees (Dec 31, 2010)
and is represented in more than 100 countries. Find more information
at http://www.bayerhealthcare.com.

With a turnover of EUR 1.120 million (2010) Bayer HealthCare's
Animal Health Division is one of the world's leading manufacturers of
veterinary drugs. The division manufactures and markets more than 100
different veterinary drugs and care products for livestock and
companion animals.

Find more information at
http://www.animalhealth.bayerhealthcare.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on
current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup
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 Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer
website at http://www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability
whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform
them to future events or developments.

ots Originaltext: Bayer Animal Health
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Contact: Kathrin Statz, Tel. +49-2173-38-4019,
E-Mail:kathrin.statz@bayer.com