LEIDEN, Netherlands, June 24, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Pharming Group N.V. ("Pharming" or "the Company") (Euronext:PHARM) announced key appointments to further strengthen its organization in preparation for upcoming filings on recombinant human C1 inhibitor, lactoferrin and to accelerate partnership and licensing agreements.
Pharming has appointed Mr. John Pieters to the position of Chief Operating Officer effective July 1, 2005. Mr. Pieters has a strong operational track record in biotechnology, medical device and pharmaceutical businesses. He previously served at Amgen, Inc. as Directeur General France, where he was instrumental in launching and managing Neupogen(R). Prior to Amgen, Mr. Pieters was President of Sterling Winthrop Europe and President of ConvaTec Europe, a subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb and a leader in ostomy and advanced wound care products.
"We are pleased to announce the addition of John Pieters to our management team," said Dr. Francis Pinto, CEO of Pharming. "Given his unique background, John will be instrumental in getting our flagship product, recombinant human C1 inhibitor, launched as quickly as possible."
Pharming has appointed Ms. Sabine Hoekstra as Legal Counsel. Previously, Ms. Hoekstra was employed in the legal department of Coca-Cola Enterprises Nederland B.V. Mr. Erik Doevendans has joined the Company in the position of Director Regulatory Affairs. Mr. Doevendans previously held QA and QC positions at several companies and governmental institutions and has been assessor of biological and medicinal products for EMEA.
In addition, Pharming has strengthened its investor relations program through the appointment of Financial Dynamics in the United Kingdom, Commerz Bank in Germany, Montridge LLC in the United States, and Investor Voice in the Netherlands.
Background on Pharming Group N.V.
Pharming Group N.V. is developing innovative protein therapeutics for unmet medical needs. The Company's products include potential treatments for genetic disorders, specialty products for surgical indications, and intermediates for various applications. Pharming's lead product (recombinant human C1 inhibitor) for hereditary angioedema is in Phase III of clinical development. The advanced technologies of the Company include innovative platforms for the production of protein therapeutics, as well as technology and processes for the purification and formulation of these products. Additional information is available on the Pharming Web site, http://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.
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