Special Octapharma 25th Anniversary Program Will Support U.S. Research on Immunotherapy, Coagulation Disorders and intensive care and emergency medicine

LACHEN, SWITZERLAND and HOBOKEN, NJ (March 4, 2009) – Octapharma AG, one of the world’s largest plasma products manufacturers, is celebrating its 25th anniversary by demonstrating its commitment to cutting-edge clinical research with the launch of the Octapharma 25th Anniversary Grants Program. The company’s first ever grants program is only available to researchers based in the United States and will be administered exclusively by Octapharma USA, the Swiss company’s rapidly-growing U.S. subsidiary.

 “In recognition of Octapharma’s milestone 25th anniversary, we wanted to support research initiatives impacting the healthcare issues that are central to our mission while at the same time emphasizing how important the U.S. market is to our company,” said Octapharma Chairman Wolfgang Marguerre. “We have been committed to patient care and medical innovation since day one and our vision of providing patients with the safest, highest quality plasma products available is stronger than ever. Our goal continues to be to help people around the world live better lives.”

The Octapharma 25th Anniversary Grants Program will support clinical or pre-clinical research focusing on human protein therapies in coagulation disorders, immunotherapy, intensive care and emergency medicine. Grant applications will be accepted online only at www.octapharmagrants.com. All grant requests will be evaluated by the Octapharma 25th Anniversary Grants Committee. Please visit www.octapharmagrants.com for a complete description of the Octapharma Grants Program, including the application and review process.

“Octapharma is committed to supporting clinical and pre-clinical research projects that promote excellence in patient care and provide valuable information to the medical and patient community that may translate to better management of disease and improvement in patient safety,” said Octapharma USA President Flemming Nielsen. “We have seen that there are tremendous unmet medical needs throughout the U.S. and we hope the grants program will advance Octapharma’s primary objective – helping patients enjoy the best possible quality of life.”

Octapharma AG
Octapharma AG is one of the world’s largest plasma products manufacturers and has been committed to patient care and medical innovation for over 25 years. Octapharma’s core business is the development, production and sale of high quality human protein therapies, including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). In the U.S., Octapharma’s IVIG product, octagam® (immune globulin intravenous [human] 5%), is used to treat disorders of the immune system, and Octapharma’s Albumin (Human) is indicated for the restoration and maintenance of circulating blood volume. Based in Lachen, Switzerland, Octapharma employs over 2,500 people and has biopharmaceutical experience in 70 countries worldwide, including the United States, where Octapharma USA is headquartered in Hoboken, N.J. Octapharma is the only plasma products manufacturer with two state-of-the-art production sites licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, allowing the company to ensure unparalleled production flexibility and sustainable supply. For more information, please visit www.octapharma.com or call Octapharma USA at 201-604-1130.

CONTACT:
Fred Feiner, Yankee Public Relations
fred@yankeepr.com
908-894-3930

© Octapharma AG, 2009