Ferring Pharmaceuticals is a private, research-driven specialty biopharmaceutical company active in global markets. The company identifies, develops and markets innovative products in the fields of endocrinology, gastroenterology, infertility, obstetrics, urology and osteoarthritis. In recent years Ferring has expanded beyond its traditional European base, with over 3,200 employees worldwide, it operates subsidiaries in over 45 countries and makes its products available in more than 70 countries.

The company has emerged as a world leader in peptide research, with one of the largest peptide drug portfolios in the industry. Peptide drugs marketed by Ferring and/or licensees include: desmopressin (MINIRIN, DDAVP), a selective V2 receptor agonist for diabetes insipidus, primary nocturnal enuresis and nocturia; high dose desmopressin (OCTOSTIM, STIMATE) for hemoplylia A and type I von Willebrand disease; glypressin (TERLIPRESSIN), a vasopressin analog for bleeding esophageal varices and hepatorenal syndrome; carbetocin (DURATOCIN ) an oxytocin receptor agonist for post-partum bleeding; triptorelin (DECAPEPTYL), a GnRH receptor agonist for prostate cancer; atosiban (TRACTOCILE), a mixed vasopressin/oxytocin receptor antagonist for preterm labor. To learn more about Ferring or our products, please visit www.ferring.com.

The company's R&D centers are located in San Diego (USA), Parsippany (USA), Be’er Tuvia (Israel), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Saint-Prex (Switzerland). The fully integrated R&D organization focuses on discovering and developing innovative biologics, peptides and proteins, in three main core therapeutic areas: Gastroenterology, Infertility and Urology.

Ferring Research Institute, Inc. (FRI) is the company's center of excellence for peptide research. Established in San Diego in 1996, FRI now occupies a company-owned, state-of-the-art research facility in Sorrento Valley. Located in the heart of the Southern California biopharmaceutical community, the center has attracted a diverse group of highly skilled professionals representing over fifteen countries of origin.

Ferring believes in developing "Medicines on the Body's own Terms" and hence focuses its research on naturally-occurring peptides/hormones and receptors involved in the control of the body’s major biological functions and physio-pathological processes. FRI's peptide chemistry technology and expertise enables in-depth modification of virtually all peptide/hormone families, allowing the custom design of peptide therapeutics with improved pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and pharmaceutical properties. The resulting peptide drugs retain the core features and advantages of naturally-occurring peptides/hormones while overcoming their limitations.

FRI works in close collaboration with world leading academics to translate new ideas emerging from basic research into innovative medicines. This translational research model has resulted in the discovery of a number of new chemical entities (NCEs) now at various stages of regulatory review and clinical development, either in-house or through external partners.

Peptide NCEs discovered by FRI include: degarelix (FE 200486), a self-depoting GnRH receptor antagonist; barusiban (FE 200440), an oxytocin receptor antagonist; FE 202158, a selective V1a receptor agonist; FE 200665 (a.k.a. CR665), a first generation peripherally-selective kappa opioid receptor agonist; FE 202845 (a.k.a. CR845), a second generation, long-acting peripherally-selective kappa opioid receptor agonist; and FE 202767, a selective oxytocin receptor agonist.

The most advanced NCE, degarelix, was recently approved for the treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer by the FDA and the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended granting a marketing authorization for degarelix in Europe.

FRI is an active supporter of the peptide research community, dedicated to the promotion of peptide research and development in academia and industry. FRI is a founding sponsor of the Peptide Therapeutics Foundation and its Annual Peptide Therapeutics Symposium.