Rockwell Medical Technologies Announces Final Patient Dosed in PRIME Clinical Study

WIXOM, MI--(Marketwire - January 07, 2013) - Rockwell Medical (NASDAQ: RMTI), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis, announced today that patient dosing has completed in its PRIME clinical study, which is designed to investigate the reduction in the need for erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) in hemodialysis patients receiving Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP) via dialysate. SFP is Rockwell’s late-stage investigational drug currently in Phase 3 clinical study.

Robert L. Chioini, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell, stated, “We are excited to achieve another important milestone in our SFP clinical development program. We look forward to the upcoming PRIME study results this quarter, followed by the results from our two pivotal Phase 3 CRUISE studies later this year.”

The PRIME study is a nine-month, multi-center study in the U.S. that randomized 100 patients equally to dialysate containing SFP-iron versus conventional dialysate. The primary objective of the study is to determine whether regular administration of SFP-iron via dialysate reduces the requirement for ESA’s by maintaining iron balance and optimizing iron delivery. Important markers of inflammation and oxidative stress will also be measured.

About Rockwell Medical:
Rockwell Medical is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis.

Rockwell’s late-stage investigational drug for iron therapy treatment is called Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP). SFP delivers iron to the bone marrow of dialysis patients in a non-invasive, physiologic manner via dialysate during their regular dialysis treatment. In order to prevent or treat anemia, sufficient availability of iron and erythropoietin must be present in the bone marrow to generate healthy red blood cells. SFP is currently in ongoing Phase 3 clinical studies (CRUISE-1 and CRUISE-2) to address an estimated $600M U.S. and $1B global market. Rockwell’s Calcitriol (generic Active Vitamin D) injection for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism is FDA approved and expected to launch in 2013, addressing an estimated $350M U.S. market.

Rockwell is also an established manufacturer and leader in delivering high-quality hemodialysis concentrates/dialysates to dialysis providers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad. These products are used to maintain human life by removing toxins and replacing critical nutrients in the dialysis patient’s bloodstream. Rockwell’s operating infrastructure is a ready-made sales and distribution channel to provide seamless integration into the commercial market for its drug products, Calcitriol and SFP upon FDA market approval.

Rockwell’s exclusive renal drug therapies support disease management initiatives to improve the quality of life and care of dialysis patients and are intended to deliver safe and effective therapy, while decreasing drug administration costs and improving patient convenience. Rockwell Medical is developing a pipeline of drug therapies, including extensions of SFP for indications outside of hemodialysis. Please visit www.rockwellmed.com for more information. For a demonstration of SFP’s unique mechanism of action in delivering iron via dialysate, please view the animation video at http://www.rockwellmed.com/collateral/documents/english-us/mode-of-action.html.

Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Rockwell’s intention to launch Calcitriol and SFP following FDA approval. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Rockwell Medical believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in Rockwell Medical’s SEC filings. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.