Synvisc-One® ambassador, Bruny Surin, and Sanofi Canada employees step it up for World Arthritis Day
Employees and ex-track and field athlete highlight importance of physical activity in managing osteoarthritis of the knee

Montreal, October 14, 2014 – Olympic sprinter and Synvisc-One ® ambassador, Bruny Surin, paid a visit to the Sanofi Canada head office today and led employees on a walk to spotlight the positive impact that being active can have in preventing and managing osteoarthritis of the knee.

The walk was organized in support of World Arthritis Day, an international health recognition day whose aim it is to raise awareness for rheumatoid and musculoskeletal diseases. Sanofi Canada employees were encouraged to wear their sneakers to work and learn more about osteoarthritis of the knee - its signs, symptoms and treatments, such as Synvisc-One®.

Surin is no stranger to knee pain, being an osteoarthritis sufferer himself. “Three years ago, I developed very sharp pain in my left knee, which made it very difficult run or even walk. It was very painful and I could not believe how much the pain slowed me down,” says Surin. “Until you experience the pain of osteoarthritis, you just don’t understand how hard it is to cope with. Now that I know what it is and how to manage it, I have a plan that works and I want to help other people get off the sidelines and back to living their lives.”

Surin manages his osteoarthritis knee pain with a combination of a healthy diet, low-impact exercise and twice annual Synvisc-One® injections to cushion and lubricate the knee joint providing pain relief over 6 months. “Staying healthy and fit is important to me and I like to manage my health in the simplest ways possible. Synvisc-One® really works for me and it allows me to get back to doing the day-to-day activities that I love best.”

Experts estimate that three million Canadians suffer from osteoarthritis(1). Osteoarthritis of the knee occurs when the cartilage (the tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones) begins to wear away in the knee(1). The pain and loss of mobility can have an impact on daily activities.

“We are thrilled to involve Sanofi Canada employees in this exciting initiative”, says Marie-Pierre Lalande, Human Resources Director, Montreal Hub, Sanofi Canada. “Health and wellness is a key component to the kind of environment we want to have for our employees, but also what our employees strive to deliver to patients of all needs, every day.”

Visit the Synvisc-One® website at www.synviscone.ca to learn more about osteoarthritis of the knee, Synvisc-One® and to find a doctor near you.

 

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About Sanofi

Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients’ needs. Sanofi has core strengths in the field of healthcare with seven growth platforms: diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and the new Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi entities in Canada include Sanofi Canada (pharmaceuticals), Sanofi Pasteur (vaccines), Sanofi Consumer Health (cosmeceuticals, over-the-counter products and specialty care), Genzyme (rare diseases) and Merial (animal health). Together they employ close to 1,700 people across the country. In 2013 Sanofi companies invested $129.1 million in R&D in Canada, creating jobs, business and opportunity throughout the country.

Follow Sanofi Canada on Twitter @SanofiCanada and on YouTube youtube.com/user/sanoficanada

About Synvisc-One®(2)

Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20) is a visco-supplement injection for osteoarthritis of the knee.  Made from a substance that lubricates and cushions your joint, Synvisc-One® can provide knee pain relief and improved mobility over 6 months, with just one simple injection.  Synvisc-One® is only intended for intra-articular use by a physician to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee(2).  Visit www.synviscone.ca to learn more, take an online knee pain assessment test and find a sports medicine clinic near you.

Synvisc®/Synvisc-One® (hylan G-F 20) is for intra-articular injection to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. Synvisc®/Synvisc-One® contains small amounts of avian protein and should not be used in patients with related hypersensitivities. Adverse events involving the injected knee after intra-articular injections of Synvisc®/Synvisc-One® may include: transient pain and/or swelling and/or effusion. The post marketing experience has identified the following systemic events to occur rarely with Synvisc®/Synvisc-One® administration: rash, hives, itching, fever, nausea, headache, dizziness, chills, muscle cramps, paresthesia, peripheral oedema, malaise, respiratory difficulties, flushing and facial swelling. If venous or lymphatic stasis is present, Synvisc®/Synvisc-One® should not be injected into the knee. Synvisc®/Synvisc-One® should not be used in infected or inflamed knees or in patients having skin diseases or infections in the area of the injection site.

Media contacts:

Catherine R. Cunningham
Corporate and Brand Communications, Sanofi Canada
514-956-6120
catherine.cunningham@sanofi.com

Nadia Rahman
Brand Communications, Sanofi Canada
514-856-8754
nadia.rahman@sanofi.com

(1) The Arthritis Society. Osteoarthritis – Know Your Options. 11. Brochure accessed online at www.arthritis.ca [03/12/2013].

(2) SYNVISC®/Synvisc-One® Instructions For Use, Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc., July 18, 2008/March 2, 2009