Anthera Pharmaceuticals Announces Lupus Symposium During 2015 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference

HAYWARD, Calif., Dec. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ANTH today announced that it is inviting its shareholders and investors to a symposium on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, January 14^th at the Mystic Hotel in San Francisco, CA.

"Right Patient, Right Therapy"
A Symposium on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Wednesday, January 14^th, 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Mystic Hotel, 417 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA

"Right Patient, Right Therapy" will bring together several immunology experts, including Dr. David Wofsy, Dr. Joan Merrill, and Dr. Vibeke Strand, to provide their perspectives on recent developments in the treatment of SLE and BAFF inhibition.

"The wealth of new information released over the past year regarding the treatment of SLE and BAFF inhibition provides an excellent opportunity to re-evaluate how we think about SLE, from optimal trial design to improving patient selection," said Dr. Colin Hislop, Anthera's Chief Medical Officer.  "We look forward to having top experts in the field give us their views on what recent developments mean for patients with lupus."

Attendees must RSVP to RSVP@anthera.com.

About Anthera Pharmaceuticals

Anthera Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat serious and life-threatening diseases, including lupus, lupus with glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis.

About Blisibimod

Anthera is developing blisibimod, a selective inhibitor of B-cell activating factor (BAFF), to explore its clinical utility in various autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and IgA nephropathy. Blisibimod is a novel FC-fusion protein, or peptibody, and is distinct from an antibody. Anthera owns worldwide rights outside of Japan to blisibimod in all potential indications. BAFF, also known as BLyS (B lymphocyte stimulator), is a tumor necrosis family member and is critical to the development, maintenance and survival of B-cells. B-cells represent a critical component of human immune response to infection and other pathogens.  However, abnormal elevations of B-cells and BAFF may lead to an overactive immune response, which may damage normal healthy tissues and organ systems. Multiple clinical studies with BAFF antagonists have reported the potential benefit of BAFF inhibitors in treating patients with lupus and IgAN.

CONTACT: Dennis Lutz of Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., dlutz@anthera.com or 510.856.5598.

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SOURCE Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.