Fresenius Medical Care Announces Positive Results from PhosLo CARE-2 Study

Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA today announced positive results from the PhosLo (calcium acetate) CARE-2 (Calcium Acetate Renagel Evaluation) study. The study demonstrated that when lipid levels are kept constant in both treatment groups, there is no difference in cardiovascular calcification between patients treated with PhosLo and those treated with Renagel (sevelamer hydrochloride). The data refute the hypothesis that the calcium in PhosLo contributes to cardiovascular calcification. The findings were presented by Dr. Wajeh Qunibi, of the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio at the American Society of Nephrology's Renal Week 2006 Conference in San Diego, California.

The CARE-2 study was a randomized, controlled head-to-head comparison between PhosLo and Renagel with the addition of Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium), as appropriate, in both treatment groups to control LDL (Low Density Cholesterol) levels. The study found no statistically significant difference in the progression in cardiovascular calcification (CAC) between the two treatment groups after 12 months of treatment. Patients treated with PhosLo and Renagel achieved comparable reductions in Serum-Phosphorus and Calcium-Phosphorus product and even more importantly K/DOQI target levels were reached significantly faster with PhosLo.

PhosLo, Renagel and Lipitor are registered trademarks.

About PhosLo
PhosLo is administered orally, and when given with food, combines with dietary phosphate to form insoluble calcium phosphate complexes that are eliminated from the body, thereby reducing phosphorus absorption, helping to prevent excess blood phosphorus levels. Patients should have serum calcium levels closely monitored and their dose of PhosLo adjusted or terminated to bring levels to normal. PhosLo is contraindicated in patients with hypercalcemia. No other calcium supplements should be given concurrently with PhosLo. PhosLo is well tolerated and has an excellent safety profile. Nausea, hypercalcemia, and pruritus (itching) have occasionally been reported during PhosLo therapy.

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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 2,085 dialysis clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, Fresenius Medical Care provides dialysis treatment to 161,433 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 (FME, FME3) and the New York Stock Exchange (FMS, FMS-p).

For more information about Fresenius Medical Care visit the website: www.fmc-ag.com.  

For more information about the CARE-2 study visit the website: www.advancedrenaleducation.com.