Dear colleagues,
We proudly present the first APRIL issue of our international newsletter. Enjoy reading it!

Spain
We would like to announce that on March 1st 2009, a new allergy business unit was founded within Merck- Serono Spain, situated in  Madrid, headed by Dr. Rosario Vivancos. We are now prepared to launch Allergovit and Acaroid with the help of a new small team: a product manager (Javier Garcia Santos), an administrative assistant (Alejandra Mas Calvo) and 5 sales representatives. A medical manager (Dr. Jenaro Hernandez) will join the team on April 1st. On May 8-9, a launch symposium with approximate 100 doctors will take place in Segovia, close to Madrid. Congratulations and good luck!

People 
- Italy: On March the 1st, Allergopharma S.p.A. has reinforced its Field Force in Lombardy (23,6% of SIT Market in Italy). The new colleague, Dr. Valter Virag, has a deep knowledge of the territory and a long expertise in respiratory field. Good luck.
- Reinbek: on April 1st, Dr. André Tomaszewska (International Sales Manager) celebrates his 10th company anniversary. Congratulations. 
On April 1st, a new product manager will join Allergopharma Reinbek: Dr. Anne-Marie Egert-Schmidt. Welcome.

Allergopharma: again Leadership in Germany
In 1996, Allergopharma lost its leadership in Germany because of the international merger of ALK and Abelló. As a result of this, the business of the German ALK-Scherax and Abelló Germany was also consolidated. So the new ALK-Scherax became market leader in Germany. Until the end of 2008, there was a “race” between Allergopharma and ALK. But now we are ahead! The reason for this is the strong focus of Allergopharma on high dose, hypoallergenic preparations. Our Allergovit and Acaroid are the gold standards in pollens and mites. In Germany, almost 50 % of hypoallergenic SIT prescriptions for allergic patients are carried out with Allergovit and Acaroid.

Happy Birthday Allergopharma. 
In September this year, we will be celebrating our 40th company anniversary (1969-2009). As you know, we take this opportunity to organise an international symposium on Mallorca (IAS) where we invite approx. 100 doctors and sales partners. A final announcement will follow. Also, we developed a logo “40 years Allergopharma” for brochures, ads, writing papers etc. You are free to use it wherever you will find it appropriate. Please find it attached.

EAMG
Allergopharma is a founder member of the European Allergen Manufacturers Group (EAMG).  We have a fixed seat in the board of EAMG. After several years of successful contribution, Mr Edgar Flock has resigned this position, handing over the responsibility to Lars Ingemann. If you have issues or questions that would be relevant for the Group, please contact Lars Ingemann directly.

EAACI Founder sponsorship 
As already announced, Allergopharma has become Founder Sponsor to the European Association of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). We believe it is a logical step in our strategy to become a strong partner to the allergist and to communicate our engagement in the future of the speciality. So far, we have been invited to three meetings, discussing shared interest between the EAACI and the manufacturers. The first official appearance will be at the EAACI Congress in Warsaw in June this year. 

We recently took the opportunity to invite the President of the EAACI, Professor Roi Gerth van Wijk from the Netherlands, to visit Allergopharma in Reinbek for a full day introduction to our company, research and philosophy.  Professor Gerth van Wijk gave a presentation to the EAACI, its goals, activities and structure. The presentation is available from Gerd Eschholz if you have further interests.  

ALK and Stallergenes have published their 2008 annual reports on their websites. You will find interesting reading, although it may appear a bit too optimistic and positive, knowing the true situation for the two market leaders in the markets. Especially the launch of Grazax seems to be far below expectations. In parallel to the announcements, the stock market has decreased significantly the value of especially ALK. It is now less than 50% of the value when Grazax was introduced.

We look forward to seeing you at the AMC meeting in Warsaw on June 6. The agenda will be forwarded to you in a week.