Karolinska Development

Regulatory Filings • Mar 20, 2015

Dilaforette receives Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. for sevuparin in Sickle-Cell Disease

STOCKHOLM - March 20, 2015. Karolinska Development AB (STO: KDEV), a leading Nordic investor in life sciences, is today pleased to note that its portfolio company Dilaforette AB has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sevuparin in sickle-cell disease (SCD). Dilaforette is currently in the final stage of preparation for a Phase II study in SCD with sevuparin and aims to start recruitment of patients during the first half of 2015.

Sevuparin is an innovative, proprietary polysaccharide drug, which has the potential to restore blood flow and prevent further microvascular obstructions, caused by abnormal blood cells in SCD patients. With its anti-adhesive properties, sevuparin could thereby offer treatment of the underlying cause of vaso-occlusive crisis in SCD patients, with earlier pain relief, shorter hospital stay, reduced need of opioids and improved quality of life. Dilaforette is currently in the final stage of preparation for a Phase II study and aim to start recruitment of patients during the first half of 2015.

"Dilaforette is an important strategic company in our portfolio and encapsulates our investment strategy of scientifically and commercially attractive programmes addressing well-defined unmet medical needs in specialty care products and orphan drugs. FDA's orphan drug designation, underpins Dilaforette's important mission to bring new treatments to SCD patients. We are now looking forward to the initiation of Dilaforette's Phase II study", comments Jim Van heusden, CEO of Karolinska Development.

For more information on Dilaforette and sevuparin please visit: www.dilaforette.se

For further information, please contact:

Jim Van heusden, CEO, Karolinska Development AB Phone: +46 72 858 32 09, e-mail: jim.van.heusden@karolinskadevelopment.com

TO THE EDITORS

About Karolinska Development AB

Karolinska Development aims to create value for patients, researchers, investors and society by developing innovations from world class science into differentiated products that can be partnered. The business model is to: SELECT the most commercially attractive medical innovations that can potentially satisfy unmet medical needs; DEVELOP innovations to the stage where the greatest return on investment can be achieved; and COMMERCIALIZE the innovations through the sale of companies or out-licensing of products. An exclusive deal flow agreement with Karolinska Institutet Innovations AB, along with other cooperation agreements with leading universities, delivers a continuous flow of innovations. For more information, please visit www.karolinskadevelopment.com.

Karolinska Development is listed on NASDAQ OMX (STO: KDEV). Karolinska Development may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act.