Team Azep iNova trumps MS Fundraising target

Perfect spring weather, cheering onlookers and cool shirts were the order of the day as 26 Team Azep iNova cyclists, in true community spirit, finished the 2009 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 90km Gong Ride.

Starting at 6.00am, with the first team member sprinting to the finish by 08.38am, the team waited for the final rider, who came in 8hrs after the start, having battled three punctures and a blown tyre. How’s that for determination and grit?! The valiant efforts of the team helped raise over $18,700 for MS research.

Coinciding with the spring Gong Ride is hay fever and allergy season and a great opportunity to show off iNova’s allergy product Azep, which works fast within 15 minutes. The riders’ aches and pains were relieved with iNova’s proudly Australian made Metsal cream and Difflam gel, and there were plenty of tired bodies the next day!

The Team shirts also displayed generous corporate sponsors as well as iNova’s owners, Australian private equity companies, Archer Capital and Ironbridge Capital.

Team Captain and iNova Senior Product Manager Richard Horsburgh said, “iNova is a company that supports healthy lifestyle initiatives, teamwork as well as work-life balance. We are delighted to have participated in the Gong Ride to raise funds for MS research, albeit following several weeks of fun training and a few punctures on the day!”

The Team’s riding efforts followed a Morning Tea fundraiser held in October, which included sponsored leg waxing and gourmet coffee, through to taste testing the company’s new chocolate flavoured chewable calcium supplement, Cal-Sup™. With over 100 guests and staff attending, more than $3000 was raised on the day.

“Although it was described as a challenge and not a race, it’s pleasing that Team Azep iNova was the number one pharmaceutical company fundraiser by a country mile!” Richard Horsburgh proudly claimed.



Media contact: Richard Horsburgh 0402 104 976

Further information is available at www.inovapharma.com

# # #

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.


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