April 26, 2010: Santhera Shareholders Approve all Board Proposals at Annual Shareholders' Meeting
Liestal, Switzerland, April 26, 2009 - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) announced that its shareholders approved today the 2009 Annual Report, Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements as well as the proposed appropriation of the results. The shareholders also granted discharge to the members of the Board of Directors and the management. Martin Gertsch, Hans Peter Hasler, Michael Lytton, Klaus Schollmeier and Bernd Seizinger were re-elected as Board members. Santhera's shareholders also voted in favor of changes to the Articles of Incorporation effecting increases in authorized and conditional share capital to maximize the Company's strategic flexibility. Further approved amendments reflect the new Swiss Federal Intermediated Securities Act and changes to the Swiss Code of Obligations. The shareholders also re-elected Ernst & Young as auditors. All motions passed with a vast majority. A total of 2,204,066 shares or 60.3% of the share capital was represented at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting.
In his presentation to shareholders, Klaus Schollmeier, Chief Executive Officer, reported on important achievements in 2009: "Santhera continues to evolve as a product player for orphan neuromuscular diseases and motor dysfunctions. Last year, we generated significant income from product sales and license fees and established fipamezole as a second pillar in our portfolio." Looking into 2010 he said: "The high demand and medical acceptance of Catenaź are reflected by first quarter net sales of CHF 0.8m in Canada. With plenty of short-term news flow we intend to create tangible and long-term value for our stakeholders."
The agenda and motions of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting are available from the Company's Web site www.santhera.com/downloads/ASM_2010_Invitation.pdf.
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About Santhera
Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of small-molecule pharmaceutical products for the treatment of severe neuromuscular diseases, an area of high unmet medical need which includes many orphan indications with no current therapy. Santhera's first product, Catenaź to treat Friedreich's Ataxia, is marketed in Canada and is in a well-advanced Phase III development program. The drug is also being investigated in a Phase III study in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Commercial rights in Europe for Friedreich's Ataxia and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are licensed to Takeda Pharmaceutical. Santhera's second compound fipamezole recently showed efficacy in reducing levodopa-induced Dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease. Phase III development and commercialization rights in the United States and Canada are partnered with Biovail. For further information, please visit the Company's web site www.santhera.com.
Catenaź is a trademark of Santhera Pharmaceuticals.
For further information, contact
Klaus Schollmeier, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: +41 (0)61 906 89 52
klaus.schollmeier@santhera.com
Barbara Heller, Chief Financial Officer
Phone: +41 (0)61 906 89 54
barbara.heller@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.