Press release issued on 07.10.2005

Rome, 7 October 2005 - Helsinn Healthcare SA organised a commemorative event held in Rome from 5th to 7th October, to mark the 20th anniversary from the first commercialisation of nimesulide, which saw the launch of Aulin in Italy in 1985. 20 years later, nimesulide is present in more than 50 countries and among the top 5 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.



Different activities took place over the 3 days, including a consensus meeting held on 5th October in the presence of most of the expert scientists who have worked on nimesulide which led to the conclusion that Original Nimesulide remains a first choice NSAID for the approved indications with a confirmed favourable benefit/risk profile.

The high spot of this event was the celebration day on 6th October, which was moderated by Alain Friedman and saw the participation of leading scientific experts, representatives of Helsinn’s partner companies and their guest doctors, for a total of approximately 330 participants.

Special attention was paid to the presentation of the new book, “Nimesulide Actions and Uses”, edited by Prof. Kim Rainsford, Biomedical Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, UK and with the contribution of 26 prominent scientists with different expertise.


 

This also included a contribution by Dr. George Moore, the American inventor of the molecule.
 

George Moore (second from the right), the “father” of the Original Nimesulide

Kim Rainsford (second form the left), editor of the book, “Nimesulide Actions and Uses”

Riccardo Braglia (first form the left), Helsinn’s Managing Director

Alain Friedman (first from the right), moderator of the celebration day

 

The interview to Helsinn’s President and Founder, Dr. Gabriele Braglia, which outlined how nimesulide became a part of Helsinn’s history, prompted an afternoon session dedicated to the commercialization and successful performance of the drug over the years.

Gabriele Braglia, Founder and President of the Helsinn Group, between Enrico Braglia, Helsinn’s Managing Director
and Giuliana Villa, Director, Medical Affairs
 

Special prominence was given to the activities and the commitment of those companies and people who, alongside Helsinn, made nimesulide a winning NSAID throughout the world, with more than 530 million packs sold in 20 years, which means that more than 450 million patients have been treated with the drug. In order to put stronger emphasis on the commercial side, some of the key persons who have contributed to nimesulide's success were personally involved in this session.

Various Helsinn partners received an award. From left, Maurizio De Cicco,
General Manager of Roche, Italy and Francesco De Santis, President and
Chairman of Italfarmaco, Italy

Furthermore, Helsinn proudly awarded some of the leading scientists and companies that, for different reasons, have strongly contributed to the success of nimesulide.

Riccardo Braglia awards
Maurizio Bevilacqua, one of Helsinn’s long-standing, leading scientists
 

As a perfect conclusion of this celebration event, an International Marketing Meeting was held on 7th October with all of Helsinn's world-wide licensees with the aim of outlining Helsinn's present and future strategy and exchanging global views on activities carried out on nimesulide across the world focusing on the product's points of strength. The outcome of the meeting will represent a powerful basis for the life-cycle management of nimesulide, backed by Helsinn's constant and significant scientific support and development.

Andrea Meoli, Director of Commercial Operations
together with Daniela Guerriero,
Manager in the Marketing Services, Commercial Operations

Massimo Tosi, Senior Manager in the
Marketing Services, Commercial Operations