Novathera And Pharming Progress Novel Bioactive Material Studies And Product Development

Cambridge, UK and Leiden, The Netherlands, October 11, 2006. NovaThera Limited (“NovaThera”) and biotech company Pharming Group NV (“Pharming”) (Euronext: PHARM) (PHARM.AS) today announce the successful completion of their proof of concept studies designed to develop a new generation of bioactive materials. These materials are based on a fusion of the two companies’ technologies - TheraGlass™ (a non-ceramic glass) and recombinant human proteins. The novel properties of such materials provide a new intellectual property portfolio for commercial exploitation.

TheraGlass-rH™ (TheraGlass™ with recombinant human proteins) has the potential to extend the therapeutic potential from transgenic technologies into the arena of medical devices and materials technologies. The new materials can be used for the localized delivery of therapeutic proteins and for developing devices such as stents and catheters.

The initial focus is on stents containing materials able to release recombinant human proteins such as collagen, fibrinogen, lactoferrin and C1 inhibitor. “The first transgenic protein products are now moving towards regulatory approval,” said Dr. Francis Pinto, CEO of Pharming. “Novel bioactive materials enable the development of a new generation of medical devices.”

“NovaThera is pleased with the progress made in developing these exciting new bioactive materials,” said Dr. Gareth Roberts, CEO of NovaThera. “We look forward to exploring their potential for the development of new therapeutically enabled medical devices.”

Background on NovaThera Ltd
NovaThera Ltd is an Imperial College spin out company. NovaThera specialises in pioneering applications of biomaterials and stem cell biology for regenerative medicines to provide innovative therapeutic solutions, like wound management, bone repair and lung repair. For more information about NovaThera, please visit http://www.novathera.com.

Background on Pharming Group NV
Pharming Group NV is developing innovative protein products for the treatment of genetic disorders, specialty products for surgical indications, intermediates for various applications and food products. Pharming has two products in late stage development - Rhucin® (recombinant human C1 inhibitor) for hereditary angioedema (under review by EMEA) and human lactoferrin for use in functional foods (GRAS notification under review by US FDA). 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.

Contact Information

Samir Singh

Pharming Group NV

Contact via E-mail