Basilea opens new phase III study in special patient populations for its broad-spectrum antifungal isavuconazole

Basel, Switzerland, April 15, 2008 - Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd.
(SWX:BSLN) announces that it has opened an additional phase III
study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of isavuconazole in
treating serious and life-threatening invasive fungal infections.
Isavuconazole's breadth of spectrum in vitro and its favorable
pharmacokinetic profile formed the basis of this open label study.

Basilea is currently conducting pivotal randomized phase III studies
focusing on first-line treatment against invasive aspergillus or
candida bloodstream infections. This additional supportive
international multicenter safety and efficacy study will include
aspergillosis patients with impaired renal function and patients with
rare mold infections. The study is expected to provide additional
confirmation of the potential advantages of intravenous and oral
isavuconazole over existing antifungals in terms of consistently
effective drug levels, convenience, and clinical safety. These data
are intended to complement the planned regulatory package.

About Isavuconazole
Isavuconazole has a potent, broad spectrum of activity against both
yeasts and molds in vitro. This new triazole is developed as a
water-soluble pro-drug to allow the potential intravenous
administration in renally impaired patients. In addition, when taken
as once daily or once weekly capsules, the prodrug results in rapid
absorption and distribution of isavuconazole to infected tissues.

Basilea successfully completed its phase II trial in esophageal
candidiasis with both high clinical cures rates and a safety profile
comparable to gold standard fluconazole therapy. Clinical drug
interaction studies have illustrated attractive pharmacokinetic
features and the potential for less drug-drug interactions than a
number of broad-spectrum antifungal drugs in current use.
Isavuconazole is in phase III testing with global primary-treatment
phase III trials for the treatment of invasive yeast and mold
infections.

Isavuconazole is the only azole to-date to have been granted FDA fast
track status to the company's knowledge.

About Basilea
Basilea Pharmaceutica Ltd. is an independent biopharmaceutical
company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and listed on the SWX
Swiss Exchange (SWX:BSLN). Basilea's integrated research and
development operations are currently focused on new antibacterial and
antifungal agents to fight drug resistance and on the development of
dermatology drugs. Basilea's products are targeted to satisfy high
medical and patient needs in the hospital and specialty care setting.
The company owns a diversified portfolio including two
pre-registration drugs and one phase III investigational drug. The
company is currently building its sales and marketing organization to
commercialize alitretinoin and to co-promote ceftobiprole.

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.

For further information, please contact:

+----------------------------------------------------------+
| General Information | Investor Relations |
|-------------------------+--------------------------------|
| information@basilea.com | Dr. Barbara Zink |
| | investor_relations@basilea.com |
+----------------------------------------------------------+

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

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