NPS Pharmaceuticals Joins the Hypoparathyroidism Association in Recognition of World Hypoparathyroid

NPS Pharmaceuticals Joins the Hypoparathyroidism Association in Recognition of World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day

Company Launches Interactive Awareness Campaign at Hypoparathyroidism.com

BEDMINSTER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NAS: NPSP) , a biopharmaceutical company pioneering and delivering therapies that transform the lives of patients with rare diseases worldwide, today announced its support for World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day, which encourages patients, physicians, and caregivers to increase awareness of the disorder and the need for more education, improved diagnosis, and new, long-term treatment options. Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disorder in which the body produces insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone, the principal regulator of calcium and phosphorus.

"We are proud to support World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day and the ongoing efforts of the Hypoparathyroidism Association as we aim to raise awareness of this rare endocrine disorder," said Francois Nader, MD, president and chief executive officer of NPS Pharmaceuticals. "The physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms of hypoparathyroidism can have a significant impact on the personal and professional lives of these patients who remain without an FDA-approved treatment option."

In support of the observance, NPS has launched an interactive awareness campaign on its educational website about the disorder, Hypoparathyroidism Answers (http://www.hypoparathyroidism.com/). Visitors can show their commitment to the community, take a pledge to share the facts about hypoparathyroidism, and advocate for the needs of patients. The interactive awareness campaign webpage can be accessed directly at http://www.hypoparathyroidism.com/hypoparathyroidism-awareness-ambassadors.php.

World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day was initiated in 2011 by the Hypoparathyroidism Association, the first non-profit group in the U.S. that advocates exclusively for patients living with hypoparathyroidism. The 2013 edition of World Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day coincides with the organization's upcoming patient conference being held from June 6 - 8 in Rockville, Maryland.

For the seventh year, the patient conference will bring together the hypoparathyroidism community to discuss scientific advances in the field and offer guidance on patient concerns. A notable list of international experts from esteemed institutions and officials from the National Institutes of Health will speak alongside patients and their caregivers. For more information and to register for the conference, please visit http://www.hypopara.org.

About Hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disorder in which the body produces insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone, the principal regulator of calcium and phosphorus. When the body has too little parathyroid hormone, blood calcium levels drop and phosphorus levels increase, which can cause muscular and neurological symptoms, as well as bone impairments. There is no approved hormone replacement for hypoparathyroidism. It is one of the few remaining hormone deficiency syndromes in which replacement therapy using the native hormone is not clinically available. Hypoparathyroidism is currently managed with large doses of calcium supplementation and active vitamin D therapy to raise the calcium levels in the blood and reduce the severity of symptoms. Over time, calcium may build up in the body and result in serious health risks, including calcifications in the kidneys, heart or brain.

About NPS Pharmaceuticals

NPS Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company pioneering and delivering therapies that transform the lives of patients with rare diseases worldwide. The company's lead product, Gattex® (teduglutide [rDNA origin]) for injection (Revestive® (EU)) is approved in the U.S. for adult Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) patients who are dependent on parenteral support. NPS is also developing Natpara® (rhPTH[1-84]) for the treatment of adult hypoparathyroidism and, subject to the resolution of certain manufacturing issues, expects to submit its Biologic License Application (BLA) to the FDA in 2013.

NPS's earlier stage pipeline includes two calcilytic compounds, NPSP790 and NPSP795, with potential application in rare disorders involving increased calcium receptor activity, such as autosomal dominant hypocalcemia with hypercalciuria (ADHH). NPS complements its proprietary programs with a royalty-based portfolio of products and product candidates that includes agreements with Amgen, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Kyowa Hakko Kirin. Additional information about NPS is available through its corporate website, http://www.npsp.com.

"NPS," "NPS Pharmaceuticals," "Gattex," "Natpara", "Preotact", and "Revestive" are the company's trademarks.

Disclosure notice

Statements made in this press release, which are not historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the company's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our future financial performance. Risks associated to the company's business include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with any failure by the company to successfully commercialize Gattex, including the risk that physicians and patients may not see the advantages of Gattex and may therefore be reluctant to utilize the product, the risk that private and public payers may be reluctant to cover or provide reimbursement for Gattex, the risk that the company may be unable to resolve the manufacturing issue in order to submit its BLA for Natpara, the risks associated with the company's strategy, global macroeconomic conditions, the impact of changes in management or staff levels, the effect of legislation effecting healthcare reform in the United States, as well as other risk factors described in the company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs. All information in this press release is as of the date of this release and NPS undertakes no duty to update this information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Susan M. Mesco, 908-450-5516
smesco@npsp.com

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