Allerject™ - now we're talking! Canadians at risk of anaphylaxis and those who care for them are choosing Allerject™ as their emergency treatment option

MONTREAL, June 16, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Allerject™ – the 'talking' epinephrine auto-injector available from Sanofi Canada – has been well received by patients and caregivers since its launch last year.

Allerject™ now accounts for more than one-fifth of epinephrine auto-injector unit sales in Canada.¹ Based on industry data, it was one of the most successful new pharmaceutical product launches last year.²

Over 60,000 individuals have chosen Allerject™, and it now accounts for more than one-third of all epinephrine auto-injector prescriptions by Allergists.³

Market Responds Positively

Demand has been strong across all age groups and especially among moms with children at risk of anaphylaxis.

"The market's enthusiasm for Allerject™, and the genuine delight of our customers, clearly demonstrate that this latest option for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis is meeting a real need," says Tracey Ramsay, Vice President of Sanofi Canada's Consumer Unit.

Research has shown that many at-risk individuals are uncertain how to administer their auto-injector.⁴ Studies also indicate that a significant number (between 30% and 70%) do not always carry it with them as recommended by physicians.⁵

Addressing Care Gaps

Allerject™ was developed to address these care gaps. It is the first and only epinephrine auto-injector in the world that has voice instructions which guide people through the injection process. As well, it is designed to be compact and convenient to carry – the size of a credit card and the thickness of a cellphone.

Year-one milestones for Allerject™ have included:

• It is now available at all major pharmacy outlets, and is covered by all provincial drug formularies and the majority of private drug plans in Canada.
• Allerject™ has been introduced to and accepted by school boards across the country.  Training tools have been disseminated to educate principals, teachers, and school staff on the product.
• Sanofi Canada works closely with patient support groups such as Anaphylaxis Canada, Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires,  and Asthme et Allergies Québec to raise awareness for anaphylaxis.

Listening to People – A Grassroots Approach

To hear what people are saying about severe allergies and their experiences with Allerject™, Sanofi Canada is asking people to share their stories on video. The first of these can now be viewed at www.allerject.ca and on the Allerject YouTube page at www.youtube.com/user/AllerjectCA.

Jennifer Roberge of Montreal, one of the interview subjects, explains why she has switched to Allerject™. Her son Tristan, 5, has multiple food allergies, and she says the product's voice instructions are an important feature. "If I wasn't with him and he had a reaction, I feel someone else would be able to use it."

Dr. Susan Waserman, an Allergist in Hamilton, notes in another video interview that Allerject's™ compact size is also appealing, especially to teenagers. "So something that's portable, easily carried, is something they find particularly attractive."

Sanofi will continue to add to this video series. "Our most passionate advocates are Allerject users," says Ramsay. "So we have decided to leave the talking to them. Instead of television ads, we're asking real people to tell their stories."

About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi entities in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (cosmeceuticals, over-the-counter products and specialty care), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ close to 1,700 people across the country. In 2013 Sanofi companies invested $125 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.

Visit www.allerject.ca to learn more.

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¹ IMS GPM (Monthly GPM Delivery, Epinephrine, March 2014, IMS Health).
² IMS Brogan. Canadian Drug Stores and Hospital Purchases. MAT December 2013
³ IMS Exponent (Monthly Xponent Delivery, Epinephrine, Feb 2014, IMS Health).
⁴ Frew A.J. What are the 'ideal' features of an adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector in the treatment of anaphylaxis? Allergy 2010; DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02450.x.
⁵ Ibid.

SOURCE: Sanofi Canada

To arrange interviews, contact: Robert Stephens, office: 416-777-0368, cell: 416-569-1601, [email protected]; Niki Kerimova, office: 416-777-0368, cell: 647-278-3375, [email protected]; Joey Gill, office: 416-777-0368, cell: 416-556-0675, [email protected]