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Altus Pharmaceuticals Receives 2006 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Corporate Champions of Hope Award for Commitment to CF Community

Posted on: Monday, 3 April 2006, 09:01 CDT

Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: ALTU), a biopharmaceutical company developing and commercializing oral and injectable protein therapeutics for patients with gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today announced that Altus received the Corporate Champions of Hope Award, for its commitment to the CF Community and the CF Foundation and dedication to advancing cystic fibrosis ("CF") research.

"From day one, they have supported us in so many ways," says Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., president and CEO of the CF Foundation. "I am privileged to honor Altus Pharmaceuticals for their support of us in the past, for giving new hope to individuals with cystic fibrosis and for what we know will continue to be a great partnership in our efforts to bring new therapies to the market."

Altus Pharmaceuticals began working with the CF Foundation in 2001 to develop an enzyme replacement therapy that is designed to help people with cystic fibrosis digest food and absorb the proper nutrients in their food more effectively. In addition to its research efforts, Altus has also made a commitment to the patient community through participating in a number of fund-raising events organized by local CF Foundation chapters. Over the past three years, Altus has participated in the Foundation's largest fund-raising program and national walk, GREAT STRIDES, in Lexington, Ma. While the Company is relatively small in size, Altus has had a large presence at this important event, comprising more than 25 percent of the walker population for this walk site in 2005.

"Altus Pharmaceuticals is honored to receive this prestigious award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in recognition of all the efforts of our talented and dedicated employees, and the vision they have to bring new treatment options to CF patients" said Robert Gallotto, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Alliance Management for Altus. "We have had a productive relationship with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the development of ALTU-135 which is intended to treat pancreatic insufficiency, and more importantly, we share the common goal of providing improved therapies for people with CF."

The Corporate Champions of Hope Award, created in 2005, is given at the CF Foundation's annual volunteer leadership meeting to businesses whose generous support, through direct corporate donations and sponsorships, helps to raise funds for critical CF research and specialized care. The CF Foundation presented the Corporate Champions of Hope Award on Friday, March 24 at its 2006 Leadership Conference in Bethesda, Md.

About ALTU-135

ALTU-135 is an orally delivered enzyme replacement therapy intended to treat malabsorption as a result of pancreatic insufficiency, a condition that affects most cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, as well as many patients with chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. In each of these diseases, a deficiency of digestive enzymes normally produced by the pancreas causes poor absorption of essential nutrients, which often leads to malnutrition, impaired growth and poor survival. ALTU-135 is intended to replace these missing enzymes to promote and maintain proper digestion and growth in affected patients.

About Cystic Fibrosis and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is a donor-supported, nonprofit organization committed to finding therapies and ultimately a cure for cystic fibrosis, and to improving the lives of those with the disease. For more information, visit www.cff.org.

More than 30,000 people have this fatal, genetic disease nationwide. In addition, it affects more than 10 million Americans who are genetic carriers. Carriers each have one copy of the defective CF gene, but do not have the disease and its symptoms. It takes two copies of the gene for a child to be born with cystic fibrosis. For people with CF, the defective gene causes the body to produce a faulty protein that leads to abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and can result in fatal lung infections. The mucus also obstructs the pancreas, causing difficulty for a person to absorb nutrients in food.

About Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Altus Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Cambridge, Ma is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of oral and injectable protein therapeutics for patients with gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. The Company's website is http://www.altus.com.

Source: Business Wire

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