WIXOM, MI, May 21, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Rockwell Medical /quotes/zigman/66259/quotes/nls/rmti RMTI -1.20% , a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis, announced today that it has received notice from the European Patent Office that it has obtained patent issuance on its proprietary GMP formulation for Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate (SFP), the Company's lead investigational drug that provides iron replacement to hemodialysis patients with CKD.

Mr. Robert L. Chioini, Chairman and CEO, stated, "We are pleased to receive this patent protection for the European Union. This is another important patent issuance for SFP and our proprietary formulation, and it gives us additional protection in one of the largest dialysis markets in the world, where we intend to market SFP. Also, this patent further strengthens our overall IP portfolio for our SFP technology."

SFP is protected by a number of issued patents in numerous countries, including the U.S., Europe and Japan.

About Rockwell Medical:

Rockwell Medical is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company targeting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with innovative products and services for the treatment of iron deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and hemodialysis. Rockwell's lead, late-stage investigational drug for iron therapy treatment is called SFP. SFP delivers iron in a non-invasive, physiologic manner to dialysis patients via dialysate during their regular dialysis treatment. SFP is currently in ongoing Phase III clinical trials (CRUISE-1 and CRUISE-2) and addresses a $600M U.S. and $1B global market. Rockwell's Calcitriol (Active Vitamin D) injection for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism addresses a $350M U.S. market.

Rockwell is also an established manufacturer and leader in delivering high-quality hemodialysis concentrates/dialysates to dialysis providers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad. These products are used to maintain human life by removing toxins and replacing critical nutrients in the dialysis patient's bloodstream. Rockwell's operating business is designed as a ready-made sales and distribution channel to provide seamless integration into the commercial market for its drug products, Calcitriol and SFP upon FDA market approval.

Rockwell's exclusive renal drug therapies support disease management initiatives to improve the quality of life and care of dialysis patients and are intended to deliver safe and effective therapy, while decreasing drug administration costs and improving patient convenience. Rockwell Medical is developing a pipeline of drug therapies, including extensions of SFP for indications outside of hemodialysis. Please visit www.rockwellmed.com for more information. For a demonstration of SFP's unique mechanism of action in delivering iron via dialysate, please view the animation video at http://www.rockwellmed.com/collateral/documents/english-us/mode-of-action.html .

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, Rockwell's intention to launch Calcitriol and SFP following FDA approval. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Rockwell Medical believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in Rockwell Medical's SEC filings. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Rockwell Medical expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

        
        Contact:
        Michael Rice
        Investor Relations
        (646) 597-6979
        
        
        

SOURCE: Rockwell Medical Technologies Inc.

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