"We are very excited about the award and honoured by the recognition of this globally renowned Committee. Being awarded the International Prix Galien for Best Pharmaceutical Agent underscores the drive for innovation that characterizes the focus of our company, and our continuing ambition to improve the quality of life of patients," commented Dr. Marijn Dekkers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG, "Xarelto has consistently demonstrated superior efficacy compared to current standard therapy for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement surgery and has become the market leader among the new oral anticoagulants."

About Rivaroxaban
Rivaroxaban is a novel oral anticoagulant that was invented in Bayer Schering Pharma's Wuppertal laboratories in Germany, and is being jointly developed by Bayer HealthCare and Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. In clinical studies, rivaroxaban has consistently shown superior efficacy to enoxaparin in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adult patients following elective hip or knee replacement surgery. It has a rapid onset of action with a predictable dose response and high bioavailability, no requirement for coagulation monitoring, as well as a limited potential for food and drug interactions. Rivaroxaban is marketed under the brand name Xarelto® for VTE prevention in adult patients following elective hip or knee replacement surgery, and it is the only new oral anticoagulant that has consistently demonstrated superior efficacy over enoxaparin for this indication. Xarelto® is approved in more than 100 countries worldwide and has been successfully launched in more than 75 countries by Bayer Schering Pharma achieving the market leader position amongst the new oral anticoagulants.

The extensive clinical trial program supporting rivaroxaban makes it the most studied oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor in the world today. More than 65,000 patients are involved in the rivaroxaban clinical development program, which is evaluating the product in the prevention and treatment of a broad range of acute and chronic blood-clotting disorders, including stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation, secondary prevention of acute coronary syndrome, and VTE prevention in hospitalized, medically ill patients.

To learn more about thrombosis, please visit http://www.thrombosisadviser.com.

Bayer: Science For A Better Life
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. The company's products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time Bayer creates value through innovation, growth and high earning power. The Group is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its role as a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen. Economy, ecology and social responsibility are corporate policy objectives of equal rank. In fiscal 2009, Bayer employed 108,400 people and had sales of €31.2 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to €1.7 billion, R&D expenses to €2.7 billion. For more information, go to http://www.bayer.com.