Leiden, The Netherlands, August 13, 2012. Biotech company Pharming Group NV ("Pharming" or "the Company") (NYSE Euronext: PHARM) today announces that the investors have increased the first call under the facility by 13,000,000 shares from 32,808,442 to 45,808,442.

Under the first call of 15,088,368 shares made by the Company as announced on August 8, 2012, the individual investors have an option to purchase that is limited to up to 600% of these 15,088,368 shares during the 15 trading days of this call. The investors have now called for another 13,000,000 shares in addition to 17,720,074 shares previously issued under their option. Following the issue of these 13,000,000 shares as per August 13, 2012, the number of outstanding shares increases from currently 757,057,118 shares to 770,057,118 shares.

Pharming's CEO, Sijmen de Vries commented: "We are very pleased about the development of this call as it supports our ongoing discussions with potential partners and investors as part of our strategic review. At the same time, we are moving closer to the conclusion of our US pivotal Phase III study (Study 1310); as of today, 62 of the 75 patients were either treated for a subsequent attack of HAE or reached the Day 90 endpoint of the study."


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:
http://www.pharming.com/. To download the Pharming Group Investor Relations App, click here:
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.

Contact
Sijmen de Vries, CEO: T: +31 (0)71 524 7400
Karl Keegan, CFO: T: +31 (0)71 524 7400

FTI Consulting
Julia Phillips/ John Dineen, T: +44 (0)207 269 7193

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Press release (PDF):
http://hugin.info/132866/R/1633420/524195.pdf


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Source: Pharming Group N.V. via Thomson Reuters ONE
HUG#1633420