PRESS RELEASE

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Therapeutics Corporation (NASDAQ: UTHR) today announced that Japan'sMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare has granted approval for Remodulin^® (treprostinil) Injection for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by subcutaneous and intravenous administration.  Remodulin will be sold in Japan under the brand name Treprost™ by Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., under an exclusive distribution agreement with United Therapeutics.

"We are grateful for Mochida's diligent work in obtaining this approval in Japan," said Yu-Lun Lin, United Therapeutics' Associate Vice President and Managing Director, UTAsia.  "We look forward to Mochida's launch of Treprost and to bringing this new therapeutic option to the PAH community in Japan."

About United Therapeutics

United Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of unique products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening conditions.

About Remodulin (treprostinil) Injection

Indication


Remodulin is a prostacyclin vasodilator indicated in the United States for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (WHO Group 1) to diminish symptoms associated with exercise.  Studies establishing effectiveness included patients with NYHA Functional Class II-IV symptoms and etiologies of idiopathic or heritable PAH (58%), PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts (23%), or PAH associated with connective tissue diseases (19%).  Remodulin may be administered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion or continuous intravenous infusion; however, because of the risks associated with chronic indwelling central venous catheters, including serious blood stream infections, continuous intravenous infusion should be reserved for patients who are intolerant of the subcutaneous route, or in whom these risks are considered warranted. 

In patients with PAH requiring transition from Flolan^® (epoprostenol sodium), Remodulin is indicated to diminish the rate of clinical deterioration.  The risks and benefits of each drug should be carefully considered prior to transition.

Important Safety Information


Chronic intravenous infusions of Remodulin are delivered using an indwelling central venous catheter. This route is associated with the risk of blood stream infections, or BSI, and sepsis, which may be fatal. Therefore, continuous subcutaneous infusion is the preferred mode of administration.

Remodulin should be used only by clinicians experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of PAH. Remodulin is a potent pulmonary and systemic vasodilator.  It lowers blood pressure, which may be further lowered by other drugs that also reduce blood pressure.  Remodulin inhibits platelet aggregation and therefore, may increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in patients on anticoagulants. Remodulin dosage adjustment may be necessary if inhibitors or inducers of CYP2C8 are added or withdrawn.  Initiation of Remodulin must be performed in a setting with adequate personnel and equipment for physiological monitoring and emergency care.  Therapy with Remodulin may be used for prolonged periods, and the patient's ability to administer Remodulin and care for an infusion system should be carefully considered.

Remodulin dosage should be increased for lack of improvement in, or worsening of, symptoms and it should be decreased for excessive pharmacologic effects or for unacceptable infusion site symptoms.

Abrupt withdrawal or sudden large reductions in dosage of Remodulin may result in worsening of PAH symptoms and should be avoided. Caution should be used in patients with hepatic or renal insufficiency.

The most common side effects of Remodulin included those related to the method of infusion.  For subcutaneous infusion, infusion site pain and infusion site reaction (redness and swelling) occurred in the majority of patients.  These symptoms were often severe and could lead to treatment with narcotics or discontinuation of Remodulin.  For intravenous infusion, line infections, sepsis, arm swelling, tingling sensations, bruising, and pain were most common. General side effects ( > 5% more than placebo) were diarrhea, jaw pain, vasodilatation and edema.

For full prescribing information for Remodulin in the United States, visit http://www.remodulin.com/downloads/remodulin-prescribinginformation.pdf, or call 1-877-864-8437.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements included in this press release that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include, among others, expectations regarding the launch of Treprost in Japan.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as those described in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results.  Consequently, such forward-looking statements are qualified by the cautionary statements, cautionary language and risk factors set forth in our periodic reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.  We claim the protection of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. We are providing this information as of March 26, 2014, and assume no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events or any other reason. [uthr-g]

SOURCE United Therapeutics Corporation