FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


Contact: 
Robert C. Barrett 
AlphaNet, Inc. 
(305) 648-9540 


Coconut Grove, Florida, December 13, 2004 - AlphaNet, Inc., a not-for-profit organization founded to improve the health of individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1), has followed the proposed divestiture of Bayer AG's plasma products business with great interest. Today it was announced that an agreement has been signed between NPS BioTherapeutics, Inc. and Bayer AG. AlphaNet believes that the Alpha-1 community will continue to receive the high level of commitment that has been the hallmark of its relationship with Bayer over the past five years. 

Alpha-1 is a relatively common inherited condition that can lead to emphysema in some individuals. As many as 3% of individuals diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have Alpha-1 and not know it. Seventeen years ago, Bayer pioneered the development of Prolastin® for the treatment of Alpha-1. Prolastin is purified alpha-1 antitrypsin from pooled human plasma. Until 2003 this was the only product available for the treatment of the lung disease associated with Alpha-1. Prolastin is administered intravenously every week to thousands of individuals with emphysema caused by Alpha-1 and remains the mainstay of therapy for this condition. Since 1999, Bayer and AlphaNet have participated in a unique community-industry partnership combining direct-to-consumer distribution of this important therapy with a patient-run self-management program. Thanks to this program, known as Bayer Direct®, the patient community has been able to weather several product shortages and AlphaNet has embarked on a major program to improve the health of all individuals with Alpha-1, known as Alpha-1 Disease Management and Prevention, or ADMAP. 

AlphaNet plans to continue and expand this unique relationship with NPS BioTherapeutics. "Over the past five years, AlphaNet's unique patient-centered programs have brought significant health benefits to the Alpha-1 community and great value to Bayer HealthCare. We foresee a strong working relationship with NPS." said Robert C. Barrett, CEO of AlphaNet. Dr. Robert Sandhaus, executive vice president and medical director of AlphaNet added, "We remain committed to improving the health of all individuals with Alpha-1 and look forward to moving ahead with NPS BioTherapeutics." 

AlphaNet will continue its work within the Alpha-1 community without interruption during the transition to the new ownership of Prolastin. We encourage AlphaNet participants to contact their AlphaNet Coordinators if they have any additional questions or concerns about these changes. 

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is one of the most prevalent, potentially lethal hereditary disorders. Discovered in 1963, Alpha-1 can cause life-threatening lung disease and/or liver disease. It is a leading genetic killer of adults in the United States and a leading cause of liver transplants in children. It is estimated that 20 million Americans are undetected carriers of the Alpha-1 gene and may be at risk for lung or liver disease; 100,000 individuals are actively lung or liver affected and less than ten percent of that population (10,000) has been accurately diagnosed. 

AlphaNet, Inc. is a unique disease management organization based in Coconut Grove, Florida. Through its medical and operations staffs, AlphaNet provides a wide range of integrated support services to Alpha-1 patients, oversees and sponsors clinical trials involving Alpha-1 therapies, and makes available a comprehensive disease management and prevention program to improve the quality of life of those affected by alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. AlphaNet is governed by a Board of Directors, a majority of whom are Alphas, and currently employs 25 Alphas as care coordinators to serve over 2,500 other Alphas. Since its inception in 1995 as a charitable not-for-profit corporation, AlphaNet has contributed over $12 million to support Alpha-1 research and fund Alpha-1 community programs. 

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Source: 
"AlphaNet to Continue Strong Community Relationship with NPS BioTherapeutics"  Pharmacy Times web site. 13 Dec 2004 http://www.pharmacytimes.com/newsfeed.cfm?id=23916