Bayer acquires two prescription dermatology product lines from SkinMedica in the US

Intendis GmbH, part of Bayer HealthCare, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire two prescription dermatology product lines from SkinMedica, Inc, a dermatology company based in Carlsbad, CA, USA.

Both Desonate and NeoBenz Micro are currently marketed in the US by SkinMedica, Inc. Under the transaction, which is still subject to the necessary regulatory approvals, Intendis will acquire all commercial rights, including assigned contracts and intellectual property related to the two product lines. The deal is expected to close in the Fall of 2009.

''We are currently seeing solid growth of our existing portfolio of prescription dermatologicals in the US. With the addition of these two high-quality product lines we expect to build on this dynamic and to substantially strengthen our presence in this key strategic business,'' stated Marc Lafeuille, president and CEO of the Intendis Group. In 2008, the company grew by 18.7 per cent on a currency-adjusted basis in the US.

Desonate is a low-potency topical corticosteroid for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin disease. Formulated in a waterbased Hydrogel vehicle, it is indicated for patients as young as three months. NeoBenz Micro is a benzoyl peroxide medication for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Its special formulation allows for a gradual release of the active ingredient which allows for an effective treatment with only low irritation.

''We are pleased that this agreement with Intendis will allow us to devote investments to continued growth of our remaining dermatology business,'' said Mary Fisher, president and CEO of SkinMedica. ''We look forward to expanding our pipeline of innovative products for the improvement of skin appearance and the treatment of dermatologic conditions.''

Intendis is a pharmaceutical company based in Berlin, Germany. As part of Bayer HealthCare, Intendis is dedicated to dermatology and focuses on the development, manufacturing and marketing of topical therapies, targeted to treat skin disorders.

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 based in Leverkusen, Germany.