Thomson Reuters ONE/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 . Verarbeitet und übermittelt durch Thomson Reuters ONE. Für den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent verantwortlich.

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.

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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.

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Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG Hammerstrasse 49 Liestal Schweiz

ISIN: CH0027148649;

Mitteilung 2011 AAN: http://hugin.info/137261/R/1505935/440747.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: Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG via Thomson Reuters ONE

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http://www.santhera.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   April 13, 2011 11:34 ET (15:34 GMT)- - 11 34 AM EDT 04-13-11