| Research Triangle Park, N.C (May 29, 2003)
Dear Bleeding Disorders Community:
I know that our Global Sales and Marketing organization has been in touch with
many representatives of the hemophilia community to personally address the
recent New York Times article. The May 22 article published in the Times is a
very biased account about events that took place long ago. We hope that it will
not jeopardize the significant progress Bayer has made in rebuilding our
relationship with the global hemophilia community, progress built upon our
dedication to producing safe and effective products and conducting our affairs
in an ethical and responsible manner.
The New York Times article is based largely on documents taken out of context by
the reporters. It fails to adequately explain the challenges faced nearly two
decades ago during a time of tremendous uncertainty about the HIV virus, its
transmission, and the potential negative impact heat-treatments could have on
the safety and efficacy of life-saving blood clotting concentrates.
Unfortunately, without the knowledge available today, Bayer and the other
industry members could only make decisions based on the best scientific
information of the time.
While I was not with Bayer Biological Products during that difficult time, as
the head of this company now, I wish to reiterate, for myself and all Bayer
employees, our deep sorrow over the devastating impact of HIV and AIDS on
thousands of persons with hemophilia and on their families. I personally have
worked very hard to establish an open and honest dialogue on any and all issues
affecting the global hemophilia community. Bayer's Global Supply Summits in 2001
and 2002, which addressed the global community's questions about our
manufacturing problems and supply issues and sought the benefits of the
community's insights and perspectives, are examples of this commitment to open
communications with your community. We have established numerous partnerships
and provided resources to help hemophilia organizations around the world meet
their objectives on behalf of patients. Our commitment to research and
development has achieved breakthrough progress in introducing products that are
of the highest purity and quality.
I can only hope that your recognition of what we have done -- working so hard to
achieve open and honest communications, establishing partnerships that help
people with hemophilia, producing innovative products, and learning from the
hard lessons of the past -- is not in any way undone by this unfair and biased
article.
Please know that my colleagues at Bayer and I are happy to address your
questions and receive your feedback on this issue. To this end, I have asked
our marketing and sales force to reach out to the community through local
chapters and affiliates to address your thoughts and questions.
I look forward to working with you to build a bright future and toward our
mutual goals of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for this devastating
illness.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gunnar Riemann
President, Bayer Biological Products Division
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions
and forecasts made by Bayer Group 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 our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F).
The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements
or to conform them to future events or developments.
Contact:
Tricia McKernan
Bayer Biological Products
+1-(0)919/316-6316
E-mail: tricia.mckernan.b@bayer.com
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