Pharming granted U.S. patent on C1 inhibitor use in ischemia reperfusion injury indications

12 december 2011 Leiden, The Netherlands, December 12, 2011.  Biotech company Pharming Group NV ("Pharming" or "the Company") (NYSE Euronext: PHARM) announces that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted the Company U.S. Patent 8,071,532, covering a method of preventing, reducing or treating an ischemia and/or reperfusion injury by administering recombinant C1 inhibitor (Ruconest(®)/ Rhucin(®)). The broad claims in the patent provide protection until 2028. This is Pharming's first patent granted on ischemia/reperfusion injury in the U.S., and represents a significant milestone in the continuing development of the Company's C1 inhibitor franchise in additional indications associated with reperfusion injury such as Delayed Graft Function (DGF) and Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). The patent relates to a novel method of using recombinant C1 inhibitor (rhC1 INH), being produced either in cell cultures or in transgenic animals, wherein rhC1 INH is administered after the onset of ischemia or the start of reperfusion. Recombinant C1 inhibitor showed - in contrast to plasma-derived C1 inhibitor - to be still therapeutically active in a time span of 6 hours and therefore particularly useful for unforeseen occurrences of ischemic reperfusion such as stroke and myocardial infarction, whereas other claims are directed to treatment during organ transplantations. Sijmen de Vries, Pharming's CEO said: "We are very pleased with this new patent which further enhances the IP portfolio surrounding our proprietary transgenic platform. In addition, it provides Pharming with an even stronger IP foundation for the potential expansion of our C1 inhibitor franchise into additional clinical indications associated with reperfusion injury, such as DGF and AMI which are significant, commercially attractive markets associated with high unmet clinical needs." Pharming's intellectual property portfolio includes a number of issued patents, both in the United States and in various other countries, related to the Company's proprietary rabbit based platform, unique to Pharming. The successful industrialization of this platform by Pharming has been validated by the EU approval of the rhC1 INH, Ruconest(®,) and provides unique properties enabling the development of complex proteins that to date have not been produced in an economically viable way. Furthermore the industrial application of Pharming's rabbit platform features certain know-how elements specific to Pharming which contribute to significantly lower capital risk and manufacturing expenditures as well as delivering a more flexible supply chain than with any other biologicals production platforms, including larger transgenic animals. It is from this rabbit based platform that Pharming plans to create new development assets to further broaden its pipeline. This patent can be viewed by going to the U.S. Patent Office Web site,http://patents.uspto.gov, selecting the search patents screen, and typing in the patent number 8,071,532. About Pharming Group NV Pharming Group NV is developing innovative products for the treatment of unmet medical needs. RUCONEST® (RHUCIN® in non-European territories) is a recombinant human C1 inhibitor approved for the treatment of angioedema attacks in patients with HAE in all 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and is distributed in the EU by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum. Rhucin® is partnered with Santarus Inc (NASDAQ: SNTS) in North America where the drug is undergoing Phase III clinical development. The product is also being evaluated for follow-on indications in the areas of transplantation and reperfusion injury. The advanced technologies of the Company include innovative platforms for the production of protein therapeutics, technology and processes for the purification and formulation of these products. Additional information is available on the Pharming website,www.pharming.com. This press release contains forward looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. Contact Sijmen de Vries, CEO: T: +31 524 7400 Karl Keegan, CFO: T: +31 6 3168 0465 Press release (PDF) : http://hugin.info/132866/R/1570475/488360.pdf This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Pharming Group N.V. via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1570475]