¡¡¡¡WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Twelve lucky families won Ferring Pharmaceuticals'' national 2007 My Little Miracle Essay Contest for their dramatic, heart-warming stories of the births of their ''little miracles,'' children born with the help of Ferring''s family of fertility treatments. The fourth annual contest celebrated the birth of children made possible through Ferring''s BRAVELLE? (urofollitropin for injection, purified) and/or MENOPUR? (menotropins for injection, USP). The winners were announced at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in Washington, D.C., October 13-17, 2007.

    The grand prize winner, Victoria Knapp of Pasadena, CA will receive $10,000 for an education fund for her seven-month-old son, Hendrick, conceived after enduring severe complications from fibroid tumors which ultimately caused her inability to maintain a pregnancy. Despite extensive surgeries and lengthy recovery time, the couple was determined to have a child in spite of medical barriers. Thanks to the wonder of fertility treatments, Victoria and her husband Christopher are the proud parents of a ''little miracle.''

    "Every story that we receive portrays the real life struggle that couples endure on their path to becoming parents, and each essay is just as heartwarming and inspirational as the next which makes it difficult for us to choose a winner," said Wayne Anderson, president, Ferring Pharmaceuticals. "But Victoria and Christopher''s story of overcoming major medical issues along with their intense desire to give birth had a profoundly happy ending, and we are delighted that our treatments played a role in their success. Stories like these fuel our ongoing commitment to providing the most effective and patient-friendly treatments for families struggling to achieve parenthood."

    "I can''t believe my story was chosen and I''m the grand prize winner," said Victoria. "My heart goes out to the many women who have endured the same struggles as me to conceive a child. I feel blessed to have had a child and now we have a head start on his education, thanks to this wonderful program from Ferring."

    Victoria Knapp''s Story

    Victoria''s story chronicles the defining moments of her life, starting with her adoption at birth that led to an understanding at an early age that families are created in different ways. The tragic death of her brother at age 15 was another such defining moment. A successful career meant that Victoria married later in life and delayed starting a family. After multiple pregnancy losses, Victoria''s dream of ever carrying a child was shattered when her doctor told her that fibroid tumors in her uterus were standing in the way of maintaining a pregnancy. Her doctor also said that she should consider a hysterectomy and a surrogate, but Victoria was unwavering in her commitment to have children. After two years of considering her options and many surgeries to remove the fibroids, Victoria consulted with Bradford Kolb, M.D. at Huntington Reproductive Center (HRC) in Pasadena, CA. With the help of Dr. Kolb, Victoria decided to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and was prescribed BRAVELLE and MENOPUR and responded beautifully to the medication. Two blastocysts were transferred into Victoria''s uterus and on March 6, 2007, after a challenging pregnancy, Victoria and Christopher welcomed their son Hendrick Thomas into their family. In her essay, Victoria speaks of the infinite joy that the birth of Hendrick has brought her:

    "On March 6, 2007, at 38 weeks and after five grueling months of bed rest, Hendrick Thomas (Thomas after my brother) was born weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz. and measuring 22 inches. It was defining moment number five - the greatest, most humbling, deeply fulfilling, and worth-the-wait moment of all."

    "I am so happy to have contributed to Victoria and Christopher''s dream of becoming parents," said Dr. Kolb. "Although there were some uncertainties along the way, the end result was well worth the wait - a beautiful baby boy and a substantial start to his college education. We at HRC are proud to be a part of Victoria''s ''little miracle''."

    Other Winners

    Sarah Cherovsky, of Kewaunee, MI, will receive $2,500 for an education fund for her 10-month-old daughter, Erin. Ten honorable mention winners from around the country will each receive a $500 education fund.

    About BRAVELLE and MENOPUR

    BRAVELLE and MENOPUR, like all gonadotropins, are potent substances capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including OHSS (incidence of 6.0% and 3.8% respectively), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, in women undergoing therapy for infertility.

    The treatments are marketed by Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc., a world leader in naturally occurring protein hormones. Only physicians thoroughly familiar with infertility treatment, including the risk of multiple births and adverse reactions, should prescribe these medications. Like other products for ovarian stimulation, treatment with BRAVELLE and/or MENOPUR may result in multiple gestations.

    About Ferring Pharmaceuticals

    Ferring Pharmaceuticals, part of the Ferring Group, a privately owned, international pharmaceutical company, manufactures and markets the largest family of fertility treatments of any manufacturer in the U.S. The Company markets BRAVELLE, MENOPUR, REPRONEX? (menotropins for injection, USP), NOVAREL? (chorionic gonadotropin for injection, USP) and ENDOMETRIN? (progesterone) Vaginal Insert, 100 mg in the U.S. to infertility specialists and their patients. Ferring also offers the Q.CAP(TM), the first and only needle-free reconstitution device, for use with its fertility treatments.

    Ferring''s line of orthopaedic and urology products includes EUFLEXXA(TM), hyaluronic acid for pain from osteoarthritis in the knee. Other products include ACTHREL? (corticorelin ovine triflutate for injection) for the differential diagnosis of Cushing''s syndrome and DESMOPRESSIN ACETATE in injectable and rhinal tube forms for the treatment of diabetes insipidus and primary nocturnal enuresis.

    The Ferring Group specializes in the research, development and commercialization of compounds in general and pediatric endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics/ gynecology and infertility. For more information, call 888-337-7464 or visit www.ferringusa.com or www.ferringfertility.com.

    For full prescribing information for BRAVELLE? and MENOPUR?, please contact Andrea Preston.

    CONTACT: Andrea Preston

    Kovak-Likly Communications (203) 762-8833 or apreston@KLCpr.com

    Source: Ferring Pharmaceuticals
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