Santhera Pharmaceuticals to Present at the 2011 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting

Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG /
Santhera Pharmaceuticals to Present at the 2011 American Academy of Neurology
Annual Meeting
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Liestal, Switzerland, April 13, 2011 – Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN)
today announced that it will present results from a clinical study evaluating
the efficacy of Catena(®) in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) at the
American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting (AAN) in Honolulu, Hawaii. The
presentation entitled Efficacy and Safety of Idebenone in Patients with Leber
Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON): Results of a 6-Month Randomized, Placebo-
Controlled Trial (RHODOS) will be given on April 14, 2011 at 1:00 pm. On behalf
of the RHODOS investigators, Dr. William Andrews, VP of Medical Affairs-North
America will present data from this first-ever placebo-controlled intervention
study in LHON. The abstract can be accessed at the AAN website at www.aan.com.

In addition, Santhera will present a poster on Demographics of Friedreich–s
Ataxia (FRDA) Patients With Idebenone Prescriptions In Canadian FRDA Patient
Support Program and Results of a Patient Survey, which will be on display from
2:00-6:30 pm on April 13, 2011. Dr. Andrews will be present from 5:00-6:30 pm.

About Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) is an inherited mitochondrial disease
which leads to progressive vision loss and irreversible blindness, with a
dramatic impact on quality of life. Over 90% of patients harbor one of three
pathogenic mutations of mitochondrial DNA. These mutations lead to the reduction
of cellular energy production which in turn results in cell damage and death of
optic nerve cells. In the acute phase, patients describe a loss of color vision
in one eye followed by a decrease in central visual acuity. The second eye
usually follows a similar course within few months. In the chronic phase,
patients usually have a bilateral visual deficit which is symmetric and
lifelong. Most remain legally blind, and are unable to find employement.

Catena(®) is the first drug that has ever been clinically investigated in a
randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study in LHON. Given the drug–s
principal mode of action, Catena(®) may protect the retinal and optic nerve
cells and thereby delay, lessen or prevent vision loss. LHON is found in all
ethnic groups; an estimated 20,000 patients live in Europe and in the United
States.

The results from the RHODOS study show that Catena(®) can protect the vision of
patients, who are at highest risk of vision loss, and enhance the recovery of
visual acuity in severely affected patients. These data are supported by
secondary, clinically meaningful efficacy variables such as clinical benefit,
color contrast sensitivity and changes in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness.
In the study, Catena(®) showed consistent clinically relevant superiority over
placebo. Santhera will file a Marketing Authorization Application with the
European Medicines Agency in the first half of 2011.

* * *

About Santhera

Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company
focused on the development and commercialization of innovative pharmaceutical
products for the treatment of severe neuromuscular and neurodegenerative
diseases, an area of high unmet medical need which includes many orphan and
niche indications with no current therapy. Santhera–s first product, Catena(®),
to treat Friedreich–s Ataxia is marketed in Canada. For further information,
please visit www.santhera.com.

Catena(®) is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals.

For further information, contact
Thomas Meier, Chief Scientific Officer
Phone: +41 (0)61 906 89 64
thomas.meier@santhera.com

Thomas Staffelbach, Head Public & Investor Relations
Phone: +41 (0)61 906 89 47
thomas.staffelbach@santhera.com

Disclaimer/Forward-looking statements

This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for
or purchase any secu­rities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This
publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the
Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, un­certainties
and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place
undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any
contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update
these forward-looking statements.

— Ende der Mitteilung —

Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG
Hammerstrasse 49 Liestal Schweiz

ISIN: CH0027148649;

Mitteilung 2011 AAN:
http://hugin.info/137261/R/1505935/440747.pdf

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