LEIDEN, Netherlands, Sept. 29, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Biotech companyPharming Group N.V. ("Pharming" or "the Company") (Euronext:PHARM) (PHARM.AS) announced today that it will commence clinical development of recombinant human C1 inhibitor (rhC1INH) for new indications beyond hereditary angioedema (HAE).
The decision to expand the clinical development of rhC1INH is based on results from pre-clinical studies as well as pioneering work being done on the complement system by key opinion leaders.
The excessive activation of the complement and contact systems can lead to lower levels of C1 inhibitor in the body and may exacerbate reperfusion injury as well as vascular leak in various cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. The control of the complement and contact systems with rhC1INH could provide significant therapeutic benefit for these diseases.
"The expansion of rhC1INH clinical development for new indications is an important milestone for Pharming," said Dr. Francis Pinto, CEO of Pharming.
The rhC1INH product has demonstrated a good safety profile in pre-clinical and clinical studies to date. The additional studies in progress with rhC1INH will help the Company select further indications for clinical development.
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, medical and specialty products for surgical indications, and intermediates for various applications. Pharming has two products in late stage development - recombinant human C1 inhibitor for hereditary angioedema (Phase III) and recombinant human lactoferrin for nutritional use. 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 website, 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. The press release also appears in Dutch. In the event of any inconsistency, the English version will prevail over the Dutch version.
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