Sirona Biochem's SGLT Inhibitor Performs Better Than Johnson and Johnson's SGLT Inhibitor, According to Study

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 7, 2012) - Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SBM), announced its sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitor for Type 2 diabetes reduced blood glucose more effectively than Johnson and Johnson's canagliflozin, an advanced SGLT inhibitor being considered for market approval in Europe and the U.S. Studies compared Sirona Biochem's SGLT Inhibitor, SBM-TFC-039, with canagliflozin and were conducted on Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats.

In the study, SBM-TFC-039 significantly and rapidly reduced blood glucose levels at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg. Six (6) hours after administration, SBM-TFC-039 reduced blood glucose by 44% compared to canagliflozin at 26%. SBM-TFC-039 also had a longer duration of effect than canagliflozin. At 36 and 48 hours after treatment, SBM-TFC-039, at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, was still effective at reducing blood glucose, whereas canagliflozin lost its effect after 36 hours. Studies were conducted at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ) by Principal Investigator Dr. Denis Richard, Research Chair on Obesity and Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy & Physiology at Laval University.

"SGLT Inhibitors are a ground-breaking new treatment for Type 2 diabetes and these results demonstrate that SBM-TFC-039 will be a significant competitor for other SGLT Inhibitors," said Neil Belenkie, Chief Executive Officer of Sirona Biochem. "The first SGLT Inhibitor, Forxiga™, was approved last month by the European Commission. We believe there is tremendous market potential worldwide for SGLT Inhibitors in the treatment of diabetes."

SBM-TFC-039 is a sodium glucose transporter (SGLT) inhibitor. SGLT inhibitors are a new class of drug candidates for the treatment of diabetes. In the kidneys, SGLT inhibitors reduce the reabsorption of glucose into the bloodstream by eliminating excess glucose into the urine.

About Sirona Biochem Corp.

Sirona Biochem is a biotechnology company developing diabetes therapeutics, skin depigmenting and anti-aging agents for cosmetic use, biological ingredients and cancer vaccine antigens. The company utilizes a proprietary chemistry technique to improve pharmaceutical properties of carbohydrate-based molecules. 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.