NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a global biopharmaceutical company pioneering and delivering therapies that transform the lives of patients with rare diseases, today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has validated and initiated its review of the company's marketing authorization application (MAA) for Natpar (parathyroid hormone (rDNA)) for the treatment of Hypoparathyroidism, a rare endocrine disorder characterized by insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). If approved, Natpar would be the first and only PTH replacement therapy in Europe for patients with Hypoparathyroidism.

"MAA validation for Natpar is an important achievement for our emerging global endocrine franchise," said Francois Nader, MD, president and chief executive officer of NPS Pharma. "Without an approved replacement therapy, the current goal of Hypoparathyroidism management is limited to symptom control, which does not address the underlying cause of the disorder. In clinical studies, Natpar has demonstrated similar physiologic effects to the native parathyroid hormone, showing promise as long-term PTH replacement therapy."

For more details, go to: http://ir.npsp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=885657