Helsinn and Riemser Extend Relationship in Germany / License Agreement for Germany on New Therapy in Development for the Prevention of Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)

Lugano, Switzerland/ Greifswald, Germany (ots) - Helsinn
Healthcare SA, Switzerland and Riemser Arzneimittel AG, German
licensee of Helsinn's second generation 5-HT3 receptor antagonist
palonosetron, announce today the signing of a licensing agreement
granting Riemser the commercialization rights for a next-generation
treatment in development by Helsinn for the prevention of
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in Germany. The new
product is a fixed-dose combination (in both oral and IV forms)
containing netupitant, a neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, and
palonosetron.

Under the terms of the agreement, Helsinn will be responsible for
all development activities (CMC, preclinical and clinical), obtaining
regulatory approvals, and holding the New Drug Application. Helsinn
will also be responsible for the supply of the product for commercial
use in Germany. "Since Helsinn decided to concentrate R&D efforts in
the oncology field, and in particular in the cancer supportive care
arena an important yet underserved area, we have always been very
attentive to choose partners which shared our same vision: building
pharmaceuticals and shaping alliances dedicated to the quality of
life of the patient," Riccardo Braglia, CEO of Helsinn group, said.
"We are very proud of having further reinforced this successful
collaboration with our German partner Riemser", he concluded.

"We are very pleased that we can expand our excellent partnership
with Helsinn for this promising new fixed-combination product which
will further strengthen our franchise in the area of supportive
oncology. This is a key milestone for us in executing our strategy as
a growing specialty pharmaceutical company", said Michael Mehler, CEO
of Riemser Arzneimittel AG. "We are very grateful to collaborate with
an outstanding partner such as Helsinn to bring an innovative
medicine to the market that will help to alleviate the tremendous
burden of cancer patients", he added.

About Netupitant

Netupitant is a highly selective NK1 receptor antagonist, an
antiemetic that works by blocking the action of Substance P, an
endogenous neurotransmitter contained in high concentrations in the
vomiting center of the brainstem that can stimulate the vomiting
reflex. The fixed-dose combination of netupitant and palonosetron is
entering Phase III for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and
vomiting following both highly and moderately emetogenic
chemotherapy.

About Palonosetron (Aloxi®, Onicit®, Paloxi®)

Palonosetron (palonosetron hydrochloride) is a second generation
5-HT3 Receptor Antagonist, developed for the prevention of
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients with
cancer, with a long half-life of 40 hours and at least 30 times
higher receptor binding affinity than currently available compounds.
Palonosetron demonstrates, in clinical trials and clinical practice,
a unique long-lasting action in the prevention of CINV. A single
intravenous dose of palonosetron provides better protection from CINV
than first-generation 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.

Palonosetron is contraindicated in patients known to have
hypersensitivity to the drug or any of its components. The most
commonly reported adverse reactions (incidence ? 2 percent) in CINV
trials with palonosetron were headache (9 percent) and constipation
(5 percent), and they were similar to the comparators. Palonosetron
has been developed by the Helsinn Group in Switzerland and today it
is marketed as Aloxi®, Onicit®, and Paloxi® in more than 60 countries
world-wide. Palonosetron, marketed as Aloxi®, is the leading brand in
the USA within the CINV Day of Chemo segment, and it is steadily
growing in the European markets. For more information about
palonosetron, please visit the website: www.aloxi.com

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,
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 sold directly
through the Group's subsidiaries or 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. For more
information about Helsinn Group, please visit the website:
www.helsinn.com

About Riemser Arzneimittel AG: A company with a tradition and a
future

Riemser Arzneimittel AG with headquarters in Greifswald, Germany,
is a mid-sized specialty pharmaceutical company which markets and
distributes its products in Germany and 72 countries worldwide.
Riemser focuses mainly on human prescription-only medicines in
selected therapeutic niches with high medical need.

Core therapeutic areas cover supportive oncology, anti-infectives
and dermatology. In its dental group Riemser provides solutions for
oral regenerative, oral implant and oral healing medicine.

For further information please contact: www.riemser.com

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

Contact person at Riemser Arzneimittel AG:
Claudia Kerber
Communicator
Riemser Arzneimittel AG
An der Wiek 7
17493 Greifswald - Isle of Riems, Germany
Tel.: +49 38351-76-129
Fax: +49 38351-7648
presse@RIEMSER.de
www.RIEMSER.com