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Pharming Strengthens Intellectual Property Position For Recombinant Human C1 Inhibitor


WEBWIRE

Leiden, The Netherlands, June 29, 2006. Biotech company Pharming Group NV (“Pharming”) (Euronext: PHARM) (PHARM.AS) announced today the issuance of US Patent No. 7,067,713 for its lead product recombinant human C1 inhibitor (rhC1INH) by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the allowance of equivalent patent applications by the European and Australian patent offices.

The patents include claims covering the production of rhC1INH in milk of transgenic mammals as well as its use in the treatment of patients suffering from or susceptible to C1 inhibitor deficiency. Additional methods in the patents describe the purification of the protein yielding extremely pure and functional rhC1INH.

Pharming’s position to commercialize rhC1INH for Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) and other indications is further strengthened by the combination of these patents with its existing intellectual property position in transgenic technology and by Orphan Drug Designations awarded in the US and Europe, which provide market exclusivity and development incentives.

“Pharming is building further commercial value for rhC1INH by obtaining patents in these major territories,” said Dr. Francis Pinto, CEO of Pharming. “We are excited by these developments as well as with the progress on rhC1INH and look forward to upcoming regulatory submissions for the treatment of HAE.”

The rhC1INH product is in clinical development for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE. Recently, Pharming obtained Orphan Drug Designation on rhC1INH from the US Food and Drug Administration for two separate disease indications - the prevention and/or the treatment of Delayed Graft Function after solid organ transplantation and the treatment of Capillary Leakage Syndrome.

Background on Pharming Group NV
Pharming Group NV is developing innovative protein products for unmet needs. The Company’s products include potential treatments for genetic disorders, specialty products for surgical indications, intermediates for various applications and food products. Pharming has two products in late stage development - recombinant human C1 inhibitor for Hereditary Angioedema (Phase III) and recombinant human lactoferrin for use in functional foods. 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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