Basilea Pharmaceutica AG / Basilea's antifungal isavuconazole passed phase III clinical trial futility analysis processed and transmitted by Hugin AS. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 

Basel, Switzerland, January 29, 2010 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX:BSLN)
announces that based on a futility analysis of the isavuconazole phase III trial
for the treatment of invasive Aspergillus infections, the Independent Data
Safety Monitoring Board (IDSMB) has recommended the continuation of the study.

The primary goal of this phase III study is to demonstrate statistical
non-inferiority of isavuconazole versus the comparator, current standard-of-care
voriconazole in the treatment of invasiveAspergillus infections. The futility
analysis was included in the clinical trial design to ensure that the trial
could be stopped early if it appeared that the study would be eventually unable
to demonstrate non-inferiority for isavuconazole. In life-threatening infections
such as invasive fungal infections it is standard to ensure that patients
receive the most effective treatment at the earliest stage and are not
unnecessarily exposed to potentially ineffective investigational drugs. The
IDSMB recommendation was based on the analysis of the primary efficacy endpoint
of 180 patients.

"Since the data remains blinded, the efficacy results will not be known until
the study is completed, however, we are very pleased that the study has
successfully passed this important interim assessment point. Regular assessments
of safety parameters by the IDSMB have not revealed any major or unexpected
safety concerns. With numerous differentiating features over current therapies,
isavuconazole has the potential for a best-in-class antifungal," said Dr.
Anthony Man, CEO Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. "The recruitment of new patients
into the phase III clinical program is expected to resume in the first half of
2010 and topline data are anticipated to be available in 2011."

About isavuconazole
Pre-clinical and clinical data generated to date indicate that isavuconazole has
the potential to overcome many of the key limitations of current therapies for
the treatment of invasive fungal infections. Isavuconazole shows high
bioavailability and provides for a seamless intravenous-oral step-down option.
The drug has predictable, linear pharmacokinetics with no relevant food effect,
and the potential for fewer drug-drug interactions. The ability to rapidly
achieve adequate plasma and tissue concentrations and to maintain these levels
long enough to avoid recurrence is essential for the successful treatment of
these life-threatening invasive fungal infections. In addition, isavuconazole is
highly water-soluble circumventing the need to add potentially kidney-damaging
solubulizing agents to the i.v. formulation.

There are three phase III trials currently open investigating isavuconazole, one
targeting yeast infections (candidemia and other invasive candida infections),
one targeting mold infections (invasive aspergillosis) and a third trial
targeting rare molds and renally impaired patients with aspergillosis.

About invasive fungal infections
Invasive fungal infections are life-threatening. Immunocompromized individuals
like cancer or transplant patients are at special risk of acquiring fungal
infections, mainly caused byCandida and Aspergillus species and associated with
mortality rates between 30% and 90%. It has been shown that early treatment with
highly effective antifungals reduces patient mortality.

About Basilea
Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and listed on
the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX:BSLN). Basilea's integrated research and development
operations are currently focused on new antibacterial, antifungal and oncology
agents to fight drug resistance and on the development of dermatology drugs.
Basilea's products are targeted to satisfy high medical and patient needs in the
hospital and specialty care setting.
The company owns a diversified portfolio including two commercialized drugs
(Toctino®, ZEFTERA(TM)/ Zevtera(TM)) and one investigational drug
(isavuconazole) in phase III clinical development. Toctino® (alitretinoin) is
marketed in Denmark, France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and is
approved in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and
Spain. Toctino® has been recommended for approval in 16 European countries.
Furthermore, a phase III clinical trial on alitretinoin forthe treatment of
severe chronic hand eczema is ongoing in the U.S.
Ceftobiprole is marketed in Canada under the brand name ZEFTERA(TM) and in
Switzerland under Zevtera(TM). Basilea has set up commercial organizations in
Canada, France, Germany, the Nordics, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, while
it is building sales and marketing organizations in other countries to
commercialize alitretinoin and to co-promote ceftobiprole, subject to approval.

Disclaimer
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking
statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such
statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance
or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this
communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:
+----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|Media Relations                         |Investor Relations                   |
+----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
|Adesh Kaul                              |Barbara Zink, Ph.D., MBA             |
|Head Public Relations &                 |Head Corporate Development           |
|Corporate Communications                |                                     |
|+41 61 606 1460                         |+41 61 606 1233                      |
|media_relations@basilea.com             |investor_relations@basilea.com       |
|    |                                   |
+----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------+
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<http://www.basilea.com/>


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Basilea Pharmaceutica AG
Grenzacherstrasse 487
P.O Box Basel Switzerland

WKN: A0B9GA;ISIN: CH0011432447;

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