Pharming Group N.V. ("Pharming" or "the Company") (Euronext: PHARM) (PHAR.AS), a biotechnology company, announced today that it has been granted a patent on recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) from the Japanese Patent Office.

The Japanese patent granted covers the production and purification of recombinant human lactoferrin with Pharming technology as well as its use in food formulations. In Japan, bovine lactoferrin is currently used as an additive in food products as well as a nutritional supplement and Japan represents a significant geographic market for recombinant human lactoferrin.

"The granting of the Japanese patent is an important element of Pharming’s commercialization strategy for recombinant human lactoferrin in Asia," said Francis Pinto, CEO of Pharming. "The Company’s upcoming filing for rhLF and the partnership with AgResearch further strengthen the commercial potential of the product."

Pharming completed a key study with recombinant human lactoferrin that demonstrates that the oral application of rhLF is safe. The publication of the study results and the opinion of an expert committee on rhLF are key milestones for a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) filing with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Pharming has submitted the study results with rhLF for publication and is convening an expert committee to provide an opinion on the results obtained with rhLF.

In addition, the Company announced the publication of a paper confirming the virtually identical structure of Pharming’s recombinant human lactoferrin and lactoferrin found in the human body. The paper has been published in the scientific journal Transgenic Research and will support the GRAS filing for rhLF with the FDA.

Recombinant Human Lactoferrin

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.

Pharming is developing recombinant human lactoferrin as a nutraceutical and intermediate while evaluating applications of the product for the pharmaceutical market. The Company has a partnership with AgResearch Limited, New Zealand on the manufacturing of rhLF.

Pharming has demonstrated that rhLF is safe, effective and comparable to lactoferrin found in the human body. Pharming is preparing a filing for Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status for rhLF with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and plans to commercialize the product for nutritional applications.