BASEL, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwired - Apr 9, 2013) - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. (SIX: [ BSLN ]) reported that shareholders approved all agenda items proposed at today's Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders for the financial year 2012. At the meeting, 59.9 percent of Basilea's share capital was represented.

The shareholders approved the annual report, the financial statements and consolidated financial statements for the business year 2012, and discharged the members of the Board of Directors and Management. Shareholders also approved carrying forward the accumulated deficit.

In addition, Dr. Martin Nicklasson was elected to the Board of Directors for a term of three years. Basilea's Board of Directors now comprises seven non-executive members: Dr. Martin Nicklasson, Mr. Hans-Beat Gürtler, Prof. Daniel Lew, Dr. Thomas M. Rinderknecht, Mr. Domenico Scala, Mr. Steven D. Skolsky and Dr. Thomas Werner. The Board of Directors elected Dr. Nicklasson as Chairman of the Board and Domenico Scala as Vice-Chairman.

The shareholders re-elected PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Basel, as Statutory Auditors for the audit of the stand-alone and the consolidated financial statements for the business year 2013.

Basilea's shareholders approved the proposal of HBM Healthcare Investments (Cayman) Ltd., holding 24.97 percent of the company's shares, to distribute CHF 5.00 per share corresponding to approximately CHF 48 million from capital contribution reserves to shareholders. The payment will be made on June 21, 2013. The last trading day to participate in the distribution will be April 10, 2013. Starting from the ex-date of April 11, 2013, Basilea shares will be traded without the right to participate in the distribution.

In his presentation to shareholders, Chief Executive Officer Ronald Scott stated: "We achieved significant milestones in 2012 and successfully focused on our core area of overcoming resistance in anti-infectives and oncology. The company is uniquely positioned to potentially create significant value for our shareholders as we move closer to the important milestones in the second half of this year: the potential approval of our antibiotic ceftobiprole in Europe as well as the first phase 3 results for our antifungal isavuconazole."

The Board and Management expressed their sincere thanks to the retiring Board members Werner Henrich, Chairman since the company's inception, and Claude Schreiner, Board Member since 2007, for their invaluable contributions.

Ronald Scott commented: "With his strategic vision, extensive experience in deal-making and outstanding commitment, Werner Henrich has passionately worked as our Chairman to build and grow the company for more than a decade. Claude Schreiner's wide-ranging industry experience was instrumental in creating the significant value of Toctino which we were able to achieve for shareholders through our transaction with Stiefel/GSK last year."

With the addition of Dr. Nicklasson to the Board, the Board is convinced that Basilea is well positioned to continue its path as one of the leading biopharmaceutical companies addressing the growing medical need of drug resistance.

About Basilea

Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX: [ BSLN ]). Through the fully integrated research and development operations of its Swiss subsidiary Basilea Pharmaceutica International Ltd., the Company focuses on innovative pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic areas of bacterial infections, fungal infections and oncology, targeting the medical challenge of rising resistance and non-response to current treatment options.

Disclaimer

This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward- looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release can be downloaded from [ www.basilea.com ].

Press release (PDF): [ http://hugin.info/134390/R/1691712/555610.pdf ]

This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that:

(i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and

(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Basilea Pharmaceutica AG via Thomson Reuters ONE

[HUG#1691712]