Helsinn Group invests in Thorne Research and will jointly pursue the development of nutritional products, information and support services in cancer care

Lugano, Switzerland/Sandpoint, Idaho (ots) - Helsinn Group makes
an equity investment for a minority interest in Thorne Research, Inc.
and plans to jointly commercialize nutritional supplement products
with initial focus on meeting the needs of people living with cancer

Helsinn Group a rapidly growing pharmaceutical group based in
Lugano, Switzerland, announced today the completion of a minority
investment in Thorne Research, Inc., a leader in developing and
manufacturing pure, high quality nutritional supplements marketed
through licensed healthcare practitioners. In this partnership, both
companies will develop, acquire and market a range of dietary
supplements and other products specifically formulated to meet the
unique requirements of cancer patients.

In addition to nutritional supplement products, Helsinn and Thorne
will jointly pursue the development of medical information and
supportive services for healthcare professionals and their patients.
The venture will initially be directed at cancer supportive care,
cancer pain management, and other areas of oncology, and may
ultimately be broadened to other disease areas.

"Helsinn is a fast-growing privately owned pharmaceutical
business. A few years ago our company decided to concentrate R&D
efforts and investments on cancer supportive care, a medical area
with many unmet needs. Helsinn's strategic decision is based on the
values of our family company; we at Helsinn work not only for the
health of the patient, but also for overall quality of life of the
patient. We believe that there is a clear need for high-quality,
clinically specific nutrition products for conditions related to
cancer. Patients need products to improve their quality of life
through modern and innovative medical treatments," said Dr. Riccardo
Braglia, CEO of the Helsinn Group.

"The scope of the deal is to create a dedicated natural products
division in cancer supportive care within Thorne Research. The
partnership with Thorne Research will bring prolonged experience and
expertise in scientifically-validated products and the best
manufacturing practices in the dietary supplement industry as a
complementary component to Helsinn's business in the cancer
supportive care drug market. We expect to introduce innovative
nutritional products specific to the oncology market soon," said
Giorgio Calderari, General Manager of the Helsinn Group.

Helsinn and Thorne have agreed to jointly create, fund, and manage
an integrative care entity, which will initially operate as a
division of Thorne Research. Integrative healthcare includes complete
patient management through diet, exercise, nutrition and nutritional
supplementation, and counseling on pharmaceutical and biological
products and wellness.

"Our relationship with Helsinn, together with our joint venture to
create Health Elements to support integrative medicine practices and
their patients, positions us as a leader in expanding the products
and services in integrative medicine in the years ahead. Our goal is
to join together the expertise of both the pharmaceutical and natural
product industries to help improve the quality of people's lives, and
to continue our focus on supporting physician practices," said Paul
Jacobson, CEO of Thorne Research.

About the Helsinn Group

Helsinn is a privately owned pharmaceutical group with
headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland, and operating subsidiaries in
Ireland and USA. Helsinn's business model is focused on the licensing
of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in therapeutic niche areas.
The Group in-licenses early to late stage new chemical entities and
completes their development from the performance of pre-
clinical/clinical studies and Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control
(CMC) development to the filing for and attainment of their market
approval worldwide. Helsinn's products are out-licensed to its
network of local marketing and commercial partners, selected for
their deep in-market knowledge and know-how, and assisted and
supported with a full range of product and scientific management
services, including commercial, regulatory, financial, legal and
medical marketing advice. The active pharmaceutical ingredients and
the finished dosage forms are manufactured at Helsinn's cGMP
facilities in Switzerland and Ireland, and supplied worldwide to its
customers. Helsinn was advised by Partnership Capital Growth
Advisors, a San Francisco-based investment bank focused on the
healthy, active and sustainable living industries. For more
information about Helsinn Group, please visit the website:
www.helsinn.com .

About Thorne Research

Since 1984, Thorne Research has set the standard for exceptional
quality manufacturing and formulation of premium hypoallergenic
dietary supplements available through licensed healthcare
practitioners. With more than 280 products, Thorne Research is
recognized by healthcare practitioners as a global leader in
providing dietary supplements of the highest quality and purity. With
locations in Sandpoint, ID, and Greenwich, CT, Thorne Research
operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and employs more
than 170 people. Further information on Thorne is available at
www.thorne.com .

Media Contact:

Helsinn Healthcare SA:
Paola Bonvicini
Head of Communication & Press Office
Ph: +41 91-985-21-21
info-hhc@helsinn.com

Thorne Research:
Andrea Coan
Berry & Company Public Relations
Ph. +1 212-253-8881
acoan@berrypr.com