Team Azep iNova pumps it up for Multiple Sclerosis Research

 Community spirit was in full swing at iNova Pharmaceuticals (“iNova”), Sydney, which today hosted a Morning Tea to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research. “Team Azep iNova” riders were introduced, having already exceeded the initial $10,000 fundraising goal leading up to the 2009 MS Sydney to Wollongong 90km Bike Ride, Sunday 1st November.

Team Azep iNova is now climbing towards a $15,000 sponsorship target for this debilitating and progressive disease which, as yet, has no cure. Today, their efforts have been boosted by a generous $2000 donation to MS Australia, presented by iNova CEO Andrew Howden, on behalf of the iNova Board. 



iNova will also donate $100 for every one of its employees who finish the ride, adding another $1300 to the iNova Board donation.

Team Azep iNova, captained by Product Manager Richard Horsburgh, aims to be the number one pharmaceutical company fund raiser, an ambitious goal for a small team of 26 employees and friends.

Mr Howden said, “The Gong Ride is an important event for helping people with MS and a healthy way of contributing to a worthy cause that brings people together. As a company committed to improving health and well being that passionately pursues initiatives adding value to patient and consumer lives, iNova welcomes the opportunity to participate.”

Acknowledging Team Azep iNova’s efforts he said, “I congratulate the Team for their energy and enthusiasm in taking up the challenge and also thank all sponsors for their donations, which have helped place the Team in a top position,” he said.

Joining Team Azep iNova and other company employees were MS Australia representatives and several major corporate sponsors including Princeton Publishing, Pharmaceutical and Medical Professionals, Extend Technologies and IMS.

MS Fundraising Coordinator Monique Allouche said “With around 18,000 Australians affected by MS, it takes a dedicated community approach such as the Bike Ride to raise funds that will go a long way towards making a difference to their lives. On behalf of MS Australia I want to thank the riders and donors for their strong support.”

The morning tea featured an array of sponsored activities to help raise funds, while promoting health and fitness. Among the many highlights was a painful yet satisfying leg wax for Team Azep iNova rider and Australasia General Manager Peter Mayrick by beautician Amy Hill! Guests enjoyed gourmet coffee at “Norbert’s Handle Bar”, expertly made by qualified barista and Chief Financial Officer Norbert Walther.

The MS Gong Ride takes place during the Spring allergy season. This was part of the inspiration for naming Team Azep iNova and promoting the company’s allergy product range, which includes Azep®, Eyezep®, ZepAllergy® and ZepClear®. It also follows the lead set by Australian world champion cyclist Cadel Evans and top Tour de France sprinter Robbie McEwen, who are both sponsored by a pharmaceutical company.

Since the company has been a major employer in the local community for over 40 years, where many of its consumer healthcare and prescription products are proudly manufactured on site at the iNova Technology Centre in Thornleigh, it was also important the iNova sponsorship effort include other Australian made and owned products relevant to a community effort in maintaining health and well being.

The rider shirts, designed by iNova Executive Assistant Toni Liddle, showed various brands and colours and also featured the major corporate sponsors and iNova owners.

Other brands displayed at the Morning Tea included topical Difflam® anti-inflammatory gel and Metsal® cream for muscular sprains and strains, especially after a challenging ride. The Cal-Sup™ range of calcium supplements to help strengthen bones also featured. The range now includes a new chocolate flavoured chewable tablet, which guests tasted at Marketing Coordinator Tim Small’s stand invitingly named “Tim’s Tasty Tabs and Tams”.

Managing obesity requires a holistic approach involving lifestyle, diet and exercise strategies, yet for some patients a prescription weight management product may be appropriate. As iNova proudly manufactures these types of products, another key activity at the Morning Tea was guests and employees having their weight, height and waist circumference measurements taken as part of responsible weight management.

More information about Team Azep iNova and its corporate sponsors is available at: http://register.gongride.org.au/?Team+Azep+iNova where a tax deductible donation of $2 or more can also be made.

Media contact: Athena Kolivos 0412 857 698

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iNova Pharmaceuticals:

iNova Pharmaceuticals (Australia) Pty Limited is an Australian owned and operated pharmaceutical company that is the corporate headquarters for iNova Pharmaceuticals (“iNova”) operations across Australasia, the Asia-Pacific and Southern Africa regions.

iNova is borne out of more than 50 years heritage from Riker Laboratories and 3M Pharmaceuticals following the November 2006 purchase of 3M’s Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical business by Australian private equity firms Archer Capital and Ironbridge Capital. Many products originally from these companies are an important part of iNova’s product range, as are new ones developed and manufactured at the iNova Technology Centre in Sydney.

In Australia iNova is among the top five fastest growing pharmaceutical companies, with market leading Australian owned and made consumer healthcare brands such as DuroTuss® and Difflam®, as well as a wide range of prescription medicines available in Australia and many other countries.

In order to make therapies available to the broader global community, iNova has dedicated business units, which also work in partnership with other companies. Consequently, iNova has consumer healthcare and prescription product brands in over 15 countries, with a current portfolio of in-licensed and in-house developed drugs that mainly include products in weight management, pain management, allergy, sexual health, dermatology, cardiology and respiratory health.

iNova is committed to supporting communities and in contributing to their health and well being. The company is particularly passionate about programs and initiatives that can improve people’s lives, delivering real benefits to where they are needed the most.

Further information is available at www.inovapharma.com


Multiple Sclerosis Australia:

MS Australia is an organisation that strives for a world without multiple sclerosis through quality research and for service excellence to people with multiple sclerosis, their families and carers. It is dedicated to:
• enhancing the quality of life of people with MS and reducing the impact of this condition on their families and carers
• maintaining and increasing its role as a leading not-for-profit organisation and a preferred charity in Australia for community and corporate support.

About MS:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting usually young adult Australians. While there are treatments to help manage the symptoms and modify the disease course, both cause and cure remain unknown. The progress, severity and type of symptoms are also unpredictable.

Further information is available at http://www.msaustralia.org.au

Acknowledgement:

iNova Pharmaceuticals wishes to thank beautician Amy Hill for her services at the Morning Tea's sponsored leg waxing and donating her fee for this activity to MS Australia.