LEIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - August 01, 2012) - Biotech company Pharming Group NV ("Pharming" or "the Company") (NYSE Euronext: PHARM) today announces that it has secured an equity working capital facility of up to EUR10 million for a two year term, with Kingsbrook Opportunities Master Fund LP as lead investor and other institutional investors ("the Investors").

The working capital facility should enable Pharming's cash runway to reach the anticipated read out of Study 1310 for Ruconest in the US and the associated US$10 million milestone payment (upon successful read out of the study) and a further US$5 million upon acceptance of the BLA by the FDA from US partner, Santarus, Inc.

Pharming will have the option to draw from the working capital facility in tranches in exchange for ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. Pharming will retain control of the timing and amount of any funds draw down. Pharming must give notice to the Investors (a "Draw Down Notice") prior to drawing down funds. Each Draw Down Notice will state the number of ordinary shares Pharming wishes to sell to the Investors ("the Draw Down Amount"). The Investors have the option to purchase up to 600% of the Draw Down Amount.

On signing, the Investors will receive warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 16,500,000 ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. When draw downs have exceeded a total of EUR2,500,000 and for every subsequent EUR2,500,000 drawn, the Investors will receive additional warrants to purchase up to an additional 16,500,000 ordinary shares. The warrants have an exercise period of five years and are exercisable at a strike price equal to 110% of the average of the volume weighted average price of the ordinary shares on the market for the 10 trading days prior to the signing of this agreement.

Sijmen de Vries, CEO, said "Pharming is very pleased to have secured this facility against a backdrop of extremely difficult conditions in the capital markets. The facility can be used at Pharming's option and should enable Pharming to reach the unblinding of Study 1310. This financing has been achieved as part of the ongoing strategic review and is a key component of strengthening the Company's cash position".

Roth Capital Partners LLC acted as sole placement agent in this transaction.

RUCONEST® Phase III Study Pharming is conducting a Phase III clinical study with RUCONEST® under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) that is intended to support the submission of a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). RUCONEST is being evaluated for the treatment of acute attacks of angioedema in patients with HAE in an international, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase III study at a dosage strength of 50 U/kg with a primary endpoint of time to beginning of relief of symptoms. Santarus has licensed certain exclusive rights from Pharming to commercialize RUCONEST in North America for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE and other future indications. Under the terms of the license agreement, a $10 million milestone is payable to Pharming upon successful achievement of the primary endpoint of the Phase III clinical study. The study is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2012.

About RUCONEST® and Hereditary Angioedema

RUCONEST® (INN conestat alfa) is a recombinant version of the human protein C1 inhibitor (C1INH). RUCONEST is produced through Pharming's proprietary technology in milk of transgenic rabbits and is approved in Europe for treatment of acute angioedema attacks in patients with HAE. RUCONEST® is an investigational drug in the U.S. and has been granted orphan drug designation for the treatment of acute attacks of HAE, a genetic disorder in which the patient is deficient in or lacks a functional plasma protein C1 inhibitor, resulting in unpredictable and debilitating episodes of intense swelling of the extremities, face, trunk, genitals, abdomen and upper airway. The frequency and severity of HAE attacks vary and are most serious when they involve laryngeal edema, which can close the upper airway and cause death by asphyxiation. According to the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association, epidemiological estimates for HAE range from one in 10,000 to one in 50,000 individuals.

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, click here.

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/1631005/522787.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#1631005]