Helsinn Group Invests in Thorne Research and Will Jointly Pursue the Development of Nutritional Products, Information and Support Services in Cancer Care

Helsinn Group Makes an Equity Investment for a Minority Interest in Thorne Research, Inc. and Plans to Jointly Commercialize Nutritional Supplement Products With Initial Focus on Meeting the Needs of People Living With Cancer

LUGANO, Switzerland and SANDPOINT, Idaho, May 11, 2011 - Helsinn Group a rapidly growing pharmaceutical group based in
Lugano, Switzerland, announced today the completion of a minority investment
in Thorne Research, Inc., a leader in developing and manufacturing pure, high
quality nutritional supplements marketed through licensed healthcare
practitioners. In this partnership, both companies will develop, acquire and
market a range of dietary supplements and other products specifically
formulated to meet the unique requirements of cancer patients.

In addition to nutritional supplement products, Helsinn and
Thorne will jointly pursue the development of medical information and
supportive services for healthcare professionals and their patients. The
venture will initially be directed at cancer supportive care, cancer pain
management, and other areas of oncology, and may ultimately be broadened to
other disease areas.

"Helsinn is a fast-growing privately owned pharmaceutical
business. A few years ago our company decided to concentrate R&D efforts and
investments on cancer supportive care, a medical area with many unmet needs.
Helsinn's strategic decision is based on the values of our family company; we
at Helsinn work not only for the health of the patient, but also for overall
quality of life of the patient. We believe that there is a clear need for
high-quality, clinically specific nutrition products for conditions related
to cancer. Patients need products to improve their quality of life through
modern and innovative medical treatments," said Dr. Riccardo Braglia, CEO of
the Helsinn Group.

"The scope of the deal is to create a dedicated natural
products division in cancer supportive care within Thorne Research. The
partnership with Thorne Research will bring prolonged experience and
expertise in scientifically-validated products and the best manufacturing
practices in the dietary supplement industry as a complementary component to
Helsinn's business in the cancer supportive care drug market. We expect to
introduce innovative nutritional products specific to the oncology market
soon," said Giorgio Calderari, General Manager of the Helsinn Group.

Helsinn and Thorne have agreed to jointly create, fund, and
manage an integrative care entity, which will initially operate as a division
of Thorne Research. Integrative healthcare includes complete patient
management through diet, exercise, nutrition and nutritional supplementation,
and counseling on pharmaceutical and biological products and wellness.

"Our relationship with Helsinn, together with our joint
venture to create Health Elements to support integrative medicine practices
and their patients, positions us as a leader in expanding the products and
services in integrative medicine in the years ahead. Our goal is to join
together the expertise of both the pharmaceutical and natural product
industries to help improve the quality of people's lives, and to continue our
focus on supporting physician practices," said Paul Jacobson, CEO of Thorne
Research.

About the Helsinn Group

Helsinn is a privately owned pharmaceutical group with
headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland, and operating subsidiaries in Ireland
and USA. Helsinn's business model is focused on the licensing of
pharmaceuticals and medical devices in therapeutic niche areas. The Group
in-licenses early to late stage new chemical entities and completes their
development from the performance of pre-clinical/clinical studies and
Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) development to the filing for and
attainment of their market approval worldwide. Helsinn's products are
out-licensed to its network of local marketing and commercial partners,
selected for their deep in-market knowledge and know-how, and assisted and
supported with a full range of product and scientific management services,
including commercial, regulatory, financial, legal and medical marketing
advice. The active pharmaceutical ingredients and the finished dosage forms
are manufactured at Helsinn's cGMP facilities in Switzerland and Ireland, and
supplied worldwide to its customers. Helsinn was advised by Partnership
Capital Growth Advisors, a San Francisco-based investment bank focused on the
healthy, active and sustainable living industries. For more information about
Helsinn Group, please visit the website: www.helsinn.com.

About Thorne Research

Since 1984, Thorne Research has set the standard for exceptional quality
manufacturing and formulation of premium hypoallergenic dietary supplements
available through licensed healthcare practitioners. With more than 280
products, Thorne Research is recognized by healthcare practitioners as a
global leader in providing dietary supplements of the highest quality and
purity. With locations in Sandpoint, ID, and Greenwich, CT, Thorne Research
operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and employs more than 170
people. Further information on Thorne is available at www.thorne.com.

    Media Contact:

    Helsinn Healthcare SA:
    Paola Bonvicini
    Head of Communication & Press Office
    Ph: +41-91-985-21-21
    info-hhc@helsinn.com

    Thorne Research:
    Andrea Coan
    Berry & Company Public Relations
    Ph. +1-212-253-8881
    acoan@berrypr.com

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