BLACKBURG, VA, June 29, 1999 -- Pharming Healthcare Inc., the American subsidiary of Pharming Group N.V. of Leiden, Netherlands, will locate two unique pharmaceutical production installations in Southwest Virginia. A "transgenic" cattle farm in Craig County and purification facility at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center will comprise the first and second stages of its unique production line.

Pharming, the world largest producer of transgenically produced pharmaceuticals, plans to invest about $37 million in Virginia to produce Human Factor VIII and Fibrinogen in the milk of transgenic animals. The company will produce supplies of these therapeutic blood clotting proteins to treat patients with hemophilia and control bleeding in surgery and trauma.

In making this announcement with Virginia Governor James Gilmore, George J.M. Hersbach, chairman of Pharming Healthcare Inc. and president and CEO of Pharming Group NV, said "We have selected western Virginia for this phase of Pharming Healthcare's growth because it offers an excellent infrastructure, including conditions to satisfy regulatory requirements for the manufacture of transgenically derived biopharmaceuticals."

"Pharming is the world's leader in this revolutionary concept of producing human medicine from animal milk. We are exceedingly pleased that they have chosen to locate in Virginia and at Virginia Tech. This is a testament to the university's leadership on biotech applications," stated President Paul Torgersen.

"Knowledge and intellectual capital are key ingredients to creating the jobs of tomorrow. This announcement demonstrates the real-world economic value of university research. We like to say at Virginia Tech that 'we put knowledge to work.' We are pleased to welcome Pharming to Virginia. "

Pharming's production techniques are partially based on technologies developed at Virginia Tech and licensed to the American Red Cross. Pharming has sublicensed the tec
'"/>

Contact: Dr. William Velander
540-231-7869
Virginia Tech
29-Jun-1999