MILAN, ITALY--(Marketwire - Nov 7, 2011) - Recordati and Orphan Europe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Recordati group, announced that Normosang®, or human hemin, specifically developed to treat acute attacks of hepatic porphyrias, is now registered and approved for use in Russia.

Acute hepatic porphyrias (acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), variegate porphyria (VP) and hereditary coproporphyria (HCP)) are a group of several inherited disorders of the heme biosynthesis pathway. They usually present with life-threatening acute attacks, typically consisting of severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, acute neuropathy, muscle weakness, even mental disturbances. The disease affects more frequently women in reproductive age. If not treated, neurological complications and severe discomfort could develop. Such acute attacks of porphyria could be controlled, provided precautions are taken and appropriate and early therapy is started.

Acute porphyrias are rare diseases which affect about 1-2 in 100.000 inhabitants. There should be up to 3000 patients in Russia suffering from this rare and debilitating condition.

The specific therapy for acute attacks of porphyria consists of administration of Normosang (human hemin), which enables to alleviate the symptoms of porphyria. Normosang has been registered in most European countries in early 90's and today is considered as standard of treatment for all patients diagnosed with acute hepatic porphyrias.

Recordati, established in 1926, is a European pharmaceutical group, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (Reuters RECI.MI, Bloomberg REC IM, ISIN IT 0003828271),with a total staff of over 2,800, dedicated to the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceuticals. It has headquarters in Milan, Italy, operations in the main European countries, and a growing presence in the new markets of Central and Eastern Europe. A European field force of around 1,400 medical representatives promotes a wide range of innovative pharmaceuticals, both proprietary and under license, in a number of therapeutic areas including a specialized business dedicated to treatments for rare diseases. Recordati's current and growing coverage of the European pharmaceutical market makes it a partner of choice for new product licenses from companies which do not have European marketing organizations. Recordati is committed to the research and development of new drug entities within the cardiovascular and urogenital therapeutic areas and of treatments for rare diseases. Consolidated revenue for 2010 was EUR 728.1 million, operating income was EUR 154.8 million and net income was EUR 108.6 million.

For information on Orphan Europe:

Orphan Europe website: [ www.orphan-europe.com ]

Statements contained in this release, other than historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements are based on currently available information, on current best estimates, and on assumptions believed to be reasonable. This information, these estimates and assumptions may prove to be incomplete or erroneous, and involve numerous risks and uncertainties, beyond the Company's control. Hence, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All mentions and descriptions of Recordati products are intended solely as information on the general nature of the company's activities and are not intended to indicate the advisability of administering any product in any particular instance.

NORMOSANG, SPECIFIC TREATMENT FOR ACUTE ATTACKS OF HEPATIC PORPHYRIAS,: [ http://hugin.info/143644/R/1561325/483189.pdf ]

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Source: RECORDATI via Thomson Reuters ONE

[HUG#1561325]