Sirona Biochem Appoints Dr. Bertrand Plouvier to Vice President, Product Development

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 9, 2011) - Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SBM) (the "Company"), a biotechnology company specializing in carbohydrate chemistry technology, including the development of diabetes and obesity therapeutics, cosmeceuticals and biological ingredients, is pleased to announce its appointment of Dr. Bertrand Plouvier to the position of Vice President, Product Development.

Dr. Bertrand Plouvier will be overseeing project management and development of Sirona Biochem's three programs in diabetes therapeutics, cosmeceuticals and biological ingredients. His responsibilities will include leading, directing and managing the biological assessment and complete characterization of compounds from discovery through to preclinical proof of concept.

About Dr. Bertrand Plouvier

Dr. Bertrand Plouvier is Vice President, Product Development at Sirona Biochem, a biotechnology company with programs in diabetes therapeutics, cosmeceuticals and biological ingredients. Since 2007, Dr. Plouvier has been a consultant for several start-up pharmaceutical companies, including Verona Pharma plc in the UK. From 1995 to 2007, Dr. Plouvier worked at Cardiome Pharma, where he established the company's chemistry department. As Associate Director of synthetic chemistry at Cardiome, he contributed to the discovery and clinical development of Vernakalant, a new antiarrhythmic agent for the treatment of recent onset of atrial fibrillation, currently pending approval by the FDA. Previous to this role, Dr. Plouvier worked as a post-doctoral fellow in the chemistry department at the University of Alberta. Dr. Plouvier is a medicinal chemist who has discovered several pre-clinical and clinical candidates for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and cough over the course of his career. He obtained his PhD at the University of Lille, France in 1991 and a master in drug design from the Institut de Chimie Pharmaceutique de Lille, France. Dr. Plouvier is co-author of 12 publications and 6 patents. Dr. Plouvier also obtained his certification as Project Manager Professional in March 2008.

About Sirona Biochem Corp.

Sirona Biochem is a biotechnology company specializing in carbohydrate chemistry. We are applying a proprietary chemistry technique towards the development of diabetes therapeutics, cosmeceuticals and biological ingredients. Sirona Biochem aims to develop enhanced carbohydrate-based molecules by improving their pharmaceutical properties. Our lead product, a sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitor for Type 2 diabetes, recently achieved positive preclinical results. For more information visit www.sironabiochem.com.

Sirona Biochem cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Sirona Biochem's forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Sirona Biochem's business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Sirona Biochem does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.