Dnage Scientists Report Major Breakthroughs In Ageing Research

Novel scientific findings published in leading journals

Leiden, The Netherlands, December 21, 2006. Biotech company Pharming Group NV (“Pharming” or “the Company”) (Euronext: PHARM) (PHARM.AS) announced today the publication of two important scientific articles in the leading journals Nature and Public Library of Sciences (“PLOS”). These articles describe the work of DNage scientists in the field of aging in collaboration with the Erasmus Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh. DNage was recently acquired by Pharming and is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

In the articles the scientists show that accumulation of DNA damage is linked to the development of age-related diseases. While the link between DNA damage and ageing had been established before it has now been shown that the level of “repair-problems” is directly correlated to the severity of the resulting ageing-diseases. The findings indicate that inadequate DNA repair results in accelerated ageing that strongly resembles the processes of natural ageing in older organisms.

Importantly, it was demonstrated that the body activates various natural defence-mechanisms against the accumulation of DNA-damage in order to delay the development of ageing diseases. This indicates that DNA-damage and DNA-repair are very important targets for new products in the field of ageing diseases. Learning from the body’s own response as described by these scientists, the Company is now testing compounds that may eventually lead to products that delay the development of ageing diseases such as Osteoporosis and Neurodegeneration (diseases of the brain including Alzheimer’s and Dementia).

Professor Hoeijmakers, Chief Science Officer of DNage, and senior author of these articles commented: ”Ageing diseases are, apart from their economic and social consequences, amongst the most challenging medical problems in the developed world. The vast majority of the ageing population develops one or more of these diseases at old age which are often difficult to treat. The understanding of the mechanisms that are involved in the development of these diseases and the understanding of mechanisms that may delay the accumulation of DNA damage are a breakthrough step in the future development of innovative therapies in this field”.

DNage has filed several patent-applications based on the work performed in this field during the past few years. It has now active programs in the fields of Osteoporosis, Neurodegeneration, Metabolic diseases and Premature Ageing Syndromes. Its first product, Prodarsan®, a mixture of small molecules with a strong safety record, is currently in preclinical testing for use in premature ageing diseases such as Cockayne Syndrome. Potential new products for the other indications are currently in the Research phase.

For review of the full scientific articles the following websites can be visited: www.nature.com and biology.plosjournals.org.

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. Recently, Pharming acquired DNage BV, giving it access to new technology platforms in the areas of cancer and ageing diseases. Additional information is available on the Pharming website, http://www.pharming.com and on http://www.dnage.nl

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

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