2006 News Archive

5th December 2006

“Merz Pharmaceuticals appoints Adventis Group plc’ healthcare specialist Roundhouse HealthAd to launch new products into the UK”

Adventis Group plc (“Adventis Group plc”), announces that its marketing, design and advertising subsidiary within the healthcare sector, Roundhouse Healthad (“Roundhouse”), acquired last May, has been appointed by German-based Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH (“Merz Pharma”), to provide Advertising and Promotional services on the launch of two new products into the UK market next year and to promote Merz Pharma’s corporate presence in the UK. A substantial contract encompasses direct to healthcare professional promotion.

Roundhouse won the contract in tender against four other agencies, with a brief to introduce Merz Pharma and its corporate credentials into the UK market, and to develop launch campaigns for two new products:
1. Xeomin (botulinum neurotoxin type A)
2. Belotero (a monophasic hyaluronic acid filler).

At the pitch, Roundhouse were required to demonstrate considerable versatility, familiarity and
insight into this marketplace, and to consider a variety of communications channels to address
the many different audiences targeted in both NHS and aesthetic dermatology/cosmetic settings. Merz Pharma, which produces ethical, consumer and dental products, acquired Denfleet Pharma, in June 2006, an established U.K. marketing and distribution company, as a conduit to distribute their products in the UK. This acquisition also forms part of their Europe-wide strategy for expansion.

Roundhouse has had a long association with Denfleet Pharma, and provided services to Denfleet in its successful launch of Denzapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Kevin McGetrick, Managing Director of Roundhouse, commented:
“Merz Pharma provided a particularly interesting and challenging brief and we are delighted to be appointed. As part of the Adventis Healthcare group, we now have greater resources to achieve market access to different audiences. Merz have a sound, research-based heritage and offer particularly innovative products. We will ensure these values and benefits are reflected with tailored communications to the targets Merz Pharma want to reach.”

Charles Phillpot, CEO of Adventis Group plc, added:
“I am delighted by this new win and the endorsement a large multinational group like Merz
Pharma gives to Adventis Group plc’ healthcare capabilities. The combination of our heathcare facing
subsidiaries, Roundhouse and Affiniti, gives us real critical mass and expertise in this sector and I look forward to their continuing excellent development”.