Anthera Pharmaceuticals Names Lawrence Rosania as Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs and Compliance

HAYWARD, Calif., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANTH), a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat serious diseases associated with abnormal auto-immune responses and inflammation, today announced that it has appointed Lawrence Rosania to the position of Vice President of Global Regulatory Affairs and Compliance. Mr. Rosania will be responsible for developing global regulatory strategies and managing all aspects of regulatory affairs.

"Larry's expertise in biologics and large molecule manufacturing is particularly valuable to Anthera as we consider a number of Phase 3 clinical options for A-623," said Paul F. Truex, Anthera's President and Chief Executive Officer. "A-623 represents a unique autoimmune platform and as we progress our own fermentation and manufacturing campaigns it will be imperative to have this depth of experience around the table.  We look forward to Larry's guidance in advancing our entire pipeline of products towards commercialization."

Prior to joining Anthera, Mr. Rosania served in a variety of senior-level consultant roles at The Weinberg Group, Quintiles Transnational, and as an independent consultant for the last 12 years. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance at LXR Biotechnology, Elan Pharmaceuticals and Athena Neurosciences, where he led the filings of two of their biologics, MyoBloc® (rimabotulinumtoxin B) for a Cervical Dystonia indication and Tysabri® (natalizumab) for a Multiple Sclerosis indication. Before relocating to the Bay Area in 1996, he had worked in various senior-level positions in R&D drug development, CMC, Regulatory Affairs and GXP Quality/Compliance at Novo-Nordisk, Bristol-Myers Squibb and E.R. Squibb & Sons, Inc. in Princeton, New Jersey. At Novo Nordisk, Mr. Rosania developed and implemented the US regulatory strategy and filings for r-hGH (Norditropin®), targeting a growth deficiency in children indication, and r-FVIIa (NovoSeven®), targeting a hemophilia indication. Mr. Rosania has an M.S. degree in Chemistry from Drexel University and an M.S. degree in Organizational Dynamics from The University of Pennsylvania.

About Anthera Pharmaceuticals

Anthera Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat serious diseases associated with inflammation, including cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Anthera has one Phase 3 clinical program, A-002, and two Phase 2 clinical programs, A-623 and A-001. A-002 and A-001 inhibit a novel enzyme target known as sPLA2. Elevated levels of sPLA2 have been implicated in a variety of acute inflammatory conditions, including acute coronary syndrome and acute chest syndrome, as well as chronic diseases such as stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Anthera's Phase 2 product candidate, A-623, targets elevated levels of B-lymphocyte stimulator (BAFF) which has been associated with a variety of B-Cell mediated autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus). For more information, please visit www.anthera.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release that refer to future events are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on Anthera's expectations as of the date of this press release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially as set forth in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Anthera's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Anthera disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

CONTACT: Bianca Nery of Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., [email protected] or 510.856.5586.

SOURCE Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.