Therakos, Inc. Launches Lighting Up Lives Anniversary Campaign to Celebrate 25-Year Impact of Innovative Immune Modulation Therapy

Therakos, Inc., a pioneer in the development of an innovative immune modulation therapy called extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), today launched Lighting Up Lives, a 25-year anniversary campaign and year-long global initiative that honours the lives of patients with serious immune diseases impacted by ECP, as well as the healthcare professionals, caregivers and treatment centres that support them every step of the way. For a quarter century, ECP has been a valuable option for patients suffering from immune diseases, including graft-versus-host (GvHD), Crohn´s disease, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and solid organ transplant (SOT) rejection, that are unresponsive to other therapies. Therakos is urging everyone to join the celebration by recognising the lives transformed, and the support teams dedicated to bringing light into the lives of so many.

The campaign debuted at the 38th Annual Meeting of European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) in Geneva, Switzerland, taking place from 1-4 April, 2012. To join the celebration, visit www.lightinguplives.com in order to share your experience with ECP or send a celebration eCard in recognition of those working to make a difference.

"As one of the first physicians to use ECP therapy, I have seen the sustainable impact this innovative and life-changing therapy has had on patients dealing with debilitating T-cell mediated diseases," said Robert M. Knobler, MD, BA, BS, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna. "I am pleased that Therakos is recognizing ECP providers and patients, and how this therapy has contributed to the well-being of patients over the past 25 years. I believe it will be a valued option for many years to come."

First introduced in 1987, ECP has been an important therapeutic solution for patients affected by immune-modulated diseases. These diseases attack the immune system and can cause patients to experience side effects and symptoms that can lead to additional health risks and significantly affect quality of life. For these patients, ECP is an alternative to pills or topical treatments, and is effective in helping to restore the body´s natural ability to maintain a balanced immune system by controlling the activity of overactive immune cells.

Therakos was the first company to make ECP available to patients through its THERAKOS® Photopheresis integrated systems. Since introducing this innovative technology 25 years ago, Therakos has made it possible for more than 700,0001 ECP treatments to have been administered worldwide using its integrated systems.

"This 25th anniversary allows us to look back over the years and realize just how many lives have been touched by ECP therapy. From caregivers to doctors, nurses, advocates and technicians, each person plays a specific and much-needed role in Lighting up Lives of patients suffering from debilitating immune-modulated diseases" said David Sholehvar, general manager, Therakos, Inc. "This anniversary celebration represents a monumental milestone in improving the lives of patients, and recognises all the people helping to make a difference, and we´re proud to reaffirm our commitment in this space."

Lighting Up Lives at the 2012 EBMT Annual Meeting

During the congress, attendees are encouraged to learn more about how to participate in the Lighting Up Lives initiative at the Therakos booth (#111). Attendees will have the opportunity to share a short story explaining how ECP has had an impact on their practice, in addition to receiving campaign materials to use within their practices.

The launch of Lighting Up Lives will complement the following Therakos activities during the congress:

• ECP Interactive Game: Therakos booth (#111) will feature an interactive educational experience on Therakos ECP.
• 13 Poster Presentations on ECP: More information regarding time and date of the presentations can be found on the EBMT website by clicking here.

About Lighting Up Lives

For 25 years, a light-activated therapy called extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) has been playing a vital role by providing patients unresponsive to other therapies with an alternative to pills or topical treatments as they look to get their life back on track. In honour of this silver anniversary and the company´s longstanding commitment to pioneering this technology, Therakos has launched Lighting Up Lives "´ a commitment From Therakos "´ a global initiative that pays tribute to all of doctors, nurses, technicians, caregivers and patients across the world who have found hope through ECP therapy. The campaign urges everyone impacted by ECP to join the celebration and tell their story about how this therapy has helped to transform their life or the life of someone they care for. Go to www.lightinguplives.com to learn more about the campaign and how you can join the celebration.

About Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GvHD)

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) occurs in allogeneic bone marrow transplants, which involve transplanted cells from a donor other than the patient. It is a life-threatening complication in which the new donor cells attack the patient´s organs and tissues. The result is an inflammatory reaction targeted against the skin, mouth, lungs and liver that results in severe tight skin, mouth ulcers, difficulty breathing, liver failure and in severe cases, death. Acute GvHD starts within the first 3 months after transplant. Chronic GvHD usually starts more than three months after transplantation but can start as late as three years post transplantation. According to the Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR), of the 14,000 allogeneic transplants performed worldwide, approximately 50 percent of patients will develop acute GvHD, and another 50 percent to 70 percent will develop chronic GvHD.

About Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL)

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a slowly progressive form of cancer that has been increasing in incidence. Patients may experience symptoms of thickened, red, cracking, scaling or intensely itchy skin in localised areas or all over the body. About 10 percent of patients will have blood, lymph node and/or internal organ involvement with serious complications. Many patients live normal lives during treatment and some are able to remain in remission for long periods of time. There is a greater frequency among men than women and CTCL is more common after the age of 50.

About Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) Rejection

Solid organ transplant (SOT) rejection occurs when a major organ such as the heart, lung, liver or kidney is transplanted from one individual to another genetically non-identical individual and the recipient´s body tries to reject the organ. Although SOT rejection is typically treated with immunosuppressant and steroid drugs to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ, ECP is sometimes used in combination with these therapies in order to combat SOT rejection.

About THERAKOS® Photopheresis Intergrated Systems

THERAKOS® UVAR XTS® Photopheresis System and the THERAKOS® CELLEX® Photopheresis System are the only integrated, regulatory approved ECP devices. These systems withdraw a volume of whole blood that is then centrifuged to separate the white blood cells from the red blood cells and plasma. The red blood cells and plasma are immediately returned to the patient. The white blood cells are treated with the well-tolerated liquid version of methoxsalen, which is photoactivated after exposure to UVA light. The treated white blood cells are then reinfused into the patient. ECP selectively modulates the immune response, restoring balance to the immune system without causing significant short- or long-term side effects.

For more complete information on indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions, see the Instructions for Use available at: www.therakos.co.uk.

About Therakos, Inc.

Therakos, Inc. is a leader in advancing the science of immune cell therapies harnessing a combination of expertise in medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Therakos markets the world´s only approved integrated systems for extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). For 25 years, physicians have been using THERAKOS® Photopheresis Systems to treat their patients, with more than 700,000 treatments administered worldwide. For more information, visit www.therakos.co.uk.

1 Data on File, Therakos, Inc.