Fresenius Medical Care to Acquire Phosphate Binder Business from Nabi Biopharmaceuticals.BAD HOMBURG, Germany -- Fresenius Medical Care Fresenius Medical Care is a German company specializing in the production of medical supplies, primarily to facilitate or aid renal dialysis. It is 37%-owned by the health care company Fresenius SE. AG & Co. KGaA today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the worldwide phosphate binder business (PhosLo) from Nabi Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (Nabi). PhosLo is a calcium acetate phosphate binder for oral application in end-stage renal disease End-stage renal disease (ESRD) Total kidney failure; chronic kidney failure is diagnosed as ESRD when kidney function falls to 5-10% of capacity. Mentioned in: Chronic Kidney Failure end-stage renal disease patients that has total product line revenues in the U.S. of approximately $40 million. The total consideration paid in the transaction will be $65 million cash at closing, royalties on a new potential product formulation plus milestone payments. The milestone payments consist of $10 million expected to be paid in 2007 and $10 million to be paid over the next two to three years, contingent upon the achievement of certain performance milestones. Excess phosphate consumed with food is normally removed by the kidneys in a process that can only partially be replaced by dialysis in patients with chronic kidney failure Chronic Kidney Failure Definition Chronic kidney failure occurs when disease or disorder damages the kidneys so that they are no longer capable of adequately removing fluids and wastes from the body or of maintaining the proper level of certain . Too much phosphate in the blood can result in a number of adverse events, including bone disease, thyroid problems and vascular calcification. The risk of such damage in end-stage renal disease patients can be lowered by regularly taking phosphate binders. Currently, the phosphate binder market exceeds $500 million worldwide. Dr. Ben Lipps, Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Executive Officer commented, "Our acquisition of the PhosLo product line represents an important strategic step. With PhosLo, we are able to expand our clinical therapy offerings using safe, effective and proven drugs. We plan to use PhosLo as part of our overall integrated "pharma-tech" therapy to better manage bone mineralization Mineralization The process by which the body uses minerals to build bone structure. Mentioned in: Rickets mineralization, n the bioprecipitation of an inorganic substance. during dialysis treatment. This acquisition enhances our growth opportunities in this important new initiative for Fresenius Medical Care." The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including the expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust Act. The Company anticipates closing this transaction in 2006. PhosLo is a trademark of Nabi Biopharmaceutical Inc. About Nabi Biopharmaceuticals Nabi Biopharmaceuticals leverages its experience and knowledge in powering the immune system to develop and market products that fight serious medical conditions. Nabi Biopharmaceuticals is focused on developing products that address unmet medical needs and offer commercial opportunities in its core business areas: hepatitis and transplant, kidney disease (nephrology), Gram-positive bacterial infections and nicotine addiction. The company is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida Boca Raton ("bōkə rə-tōn") is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida incorporated in May 1925. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 74,764; the 2006 population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 86,396. . Nabi Biopharmaceuticals is listed on the NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on (NABI). For more information about Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, visit the website: www.nabi.com. About Fresenius Medical Care Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest integrated provider of products and services for individuals undergoing dialysis because of chronic kidney failure, a condition that affects more than 1,400,000 individuals worldwide. Through its network of 2,078 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 161,675 patients around the globe. Fresenius Medical Care is also the world's leading provider of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products). Fresenius Medical Care is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange Frankfurt Stock Exchange The largest of Germany's eight securities exchanges, operated by Deutsche Borse AS. (FME FME Formal Methods Europe FME Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic) FME Feature Manipulation Engine FME Facultat de Matemà tiques I EstadÃstica , FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. (FMS FMS - Flexible Manufacturing System (factory automation). , FMS-p). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care visit the website: www.fmc-ag.com. This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release. |
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