NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NPSP), a biopharmaceutical company pioneering and delivering therapies that transform the lives of patients with rare diseases worldwide, today announced that it has been named one of New Jersey's 50 Fastest Growing Companies of 2013 by NJBIZ, the state's premier business news publication.

"Being recognized as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New Jersey is a great honor and a testament to our remarkable growth," said Francois Nader, M.D., president and chief executive officer of NPS Pharmaceuticals. "It's an exciting time to be a part of the NPS team as we enter our next phase of growth to become a premier global orphan drug company and continue to work hard each day to bring innovative therapies to patients suffering from rare diseases around the world."

The NJBIZ 50 Fastest Growing Companies awards program celebrates New Jersey's most dynamic companies who progressively contribute to the success of the state's economic growth and stability. To qualify, companies had to meet selection criteria that included a revenue size of at least $500,000 within the past two out of three years and growth in revenue over a three-year period, dating from fiscal year 2010 to 2012.

NJBIZ and the program sponsors honored this year's 50 fastest growing companies and announced their ranking live during an awards dinner and ceremony on November 19 at the Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey. The honorees will also be highlighted in a special supplement to NJBIZ on November 25.

About NPS Pharmaceuticals

NPS Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering and delivering therapies that transform the lives of patients with rare diseases worldwide. The company's lead product, Gattex® (U.S.)/Revestive® (EU) (teduglutide [rDNA origin]) for injection is approved for adult Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) patients who are dependent on parenteral support. NPS has also developed Natpara® (rhPTH [1-84]) for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism and submitted its Biologic License Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in October 2013.

NPS' earlier stage pipeline includes NPSP795, a calcilytic compound with potential application in rare disorders involving increased calcium receptor activity, such as autosomal dominant hypocalcemia (ADH). NPS complements its proprietary programs with a royalty-based portfolio of products and product candidates that includes agreements with Amgen, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Kyowa Hakko Kirin. Additional information about NPS is available through its corporate website, http://www.npsp.com.

Disclosure notice

Statements made in this press release, which are not historical in nature, constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.These statements are based on the company's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the company's future financial performance and plans for the commercialization of its products. Risks associated to the company's business include, but are not limited to, the risks associated with any failure by the company to successfully commercialize Gattex (teduglutide [rDNA origin]) for injection, including the risk that physicians and patients may not see the advantages of Gattex and may therefore be reluctant to utilize the product, the risk that private and public payers may be reluctant to cover or provide reimbursement for Gattex, risks related to regulatory approvals for Natpara (recombinant human parathyroid hormone 1-84 (rhPTH 1-84)), the risks associated with the company's strategy, global macroeconomic conditions, the impact of changes in management or staff levels, the effect of legislation effecting healthcare reform in the United States, as well as other risk factors described in the company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs. All information in this press release is as of the date of this release and NPS undertakes no duty to update this information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Susan M. Mesco, 908-450-5516
smesco@npsp.com