Pharming Group Confirms Safety Profile of Recombinant Human Lactoferrin in a Food Safety Study in Healthy Human Volunteers

LEIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - July 16, 2012) - Biotech company Pharming Group NV ("Pharming" or "the Company") (NYSE Euronext: PHARM) today announces that a randomized, cross-over double blind, placebo controlled study in healthy volunteers has shown that Pharming's recombinant human Lactoferrin (rhLF) is safe, based on the assessment of clinical data, gastro-intestinal tolerance and adverse event reporting.

Twenty-four healthy subjects with an age-range of 25 to 49 years participated in the study. These volunteers consumed recombinant human Lactoferrin at a daily dose of 0, 300 or 1000 mg, in combination with 10 grams of skimmed milk powder. Each treatment was consumed for a period of two weeks. There was no difference between treatment and placebo and it was concluded that consumption of rhLF is safe. The study was supported by a grant from the Dutch Food and Nutrition Delta (FND). These results are consistent with a previous clinical study, undertaken by Pharming in 2002 under a pharmaceutical development plan, in which intravenous use of rhLF was tested to a dose of 60 mg/kg in healthy volunteers. Pre-clinical safety studies showed that doses up to 2000 mg/kg/day were safe.

Human Lactoferrin is a natural protein that helps to fight and prevent infections. The protein is present in substantial quantities in mother's milk and plays an important role in the defense system of infants. The protein is also present in various body fluids and continues to play an important role against a wide range of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens in adults.

Out-licensing discussions aimed at finding partners interested in further developing the Lactoferrin franchise are ongoing.

Bruno Giannetti, COO of Pharming said: "With this study in human volunteers we now complete an extensive dossier of safety studies on Pharming's recombinant human Lactoferrin. We conclude that these latest results confirm previous findings and together provide a very good basis to use rhLF as a food ingredient and support for our ongoing discussions with potential partners and buyers for the project."

About Pharming Group NV

Pharming Group NV is developing innovative products for the treatment of unmet medical needs. RUCONEST® is a recombinant human C1 inhibitor approved for the treatment of angioedema attacks in patients with HAE in all 27 EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and is distributed in the EU by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (OMX: SOBI). RUCONEST® is partnered with Santarus, Inc (NASDAQ: SNTS) in North America where the drug is undergoing Phase III clinical development. The product is also being evaluated for follow-on indications in the areas of transplantation and reperfusion injury. The advanced technologies of the Company include innovative and validated platforms for the production of protein therapeutics, technology and processes for the purification and formulation of these products. A feasibility study, using the validated transgenic rabbit platform, aimed at the development of recombinant Factor VIII for the treatment of Haemophilia A is underway with partner, Renova Life, Inc. Additional information is available on the Pharming website, www.pharming.com. To download the Pharming Group Investor Relations App, http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pharming-ir/id515983241?ls=1&mt=8

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.

Press release (PDF): http://hugin.info/132866/R/1626847/520564.pdf

This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:

(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and

(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Pharming Group N.V. via Thomson Reuters ONE

[HUG#1626847]