VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 14, 2012) - Sirona Biochem Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SBM.V - News)(PINKSHEETS:SRBCF.PK - News)(FRANKFURT:ZSB.F - News), a biotechnology company specializing in carbohydrate chemistry technology, announced today the appointment of Dr. Brett Premack as Scientific Consultant. Dr. Premack will consult and advise on preclinical development activities, particularly pertaining to alliances between public and private research organizations.

"Dr. Brett Premack's expertise in drug discovery and preclinical development will bring tremendous value in the evaluation and development of our therapeutic portfolio," said Dr. Howard Verrico, President & CEO of Sirona Biochem. "Our chemistry platform technology gives us several program options and our ability to attract high-calibre talent like Dr. Premack enables us to efficiently advance these programs," Dr. Verrico added.

About Dr. Brett Premack

Dr. Brett Premack is a Pharmaceutical Consultant and Technology Analyst based in San Francisco, California. He has held a number of key leadership positions in biotechnology and academia and has more than 15 years experience providing independent, strategic and technical analysis to drug discovery and pre-clinical programs in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. He is currently a technology and strategic development consultant with Qu Biologics, a clinical-stage cancer biopharmaceutical company based in Vancouver, Canada. Previously, Dr. Premack was with ChemoCentryx, Inc. as the company's first Scientific Director after serving four years on the company's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Premack was instrumental in bringing four new immunomodulatory chemokine receptor antagonist programs to the clinic (Phase I, II, III trials) for underserved inflammatory diseases. He was co-designer and developer of EnabaLink(TM), a collection of proprietary cell- and molecular-based functional genomics assays for evaluating immune system drug targets. As Manager, Funded Programs, he directed high-level public and private partnerships between industry, NIH, NIAID and DARPA focused on small molecule drug discovery and vaccine adjuvant programs, leading to ongoing clinical trials and testing of several radical vaccine approaches in primates. Before joining ChemoCentryx, Dr. Premack was an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Molecular Biology Institute and Investigator at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr, Premack has also held previous roles at Stanford University Medical Center, Syntex Research, Roche Bioscience, Neurex Inc. (now Elan Pharmaceuticals) and Photon Technologies Inc. Dr. Premack is a former recipient of the California AIDS New Investigator Award and the Breast Cancer Novel IDEA Award. Dr. Premack regularly speaks at major scientific conferences and is author or inventor of more than 25 published scientific papers and issued patents.

About Sirona Biochem Corp.

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

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Sirona Biochem Announces Addition of Dr. Brett Premack as Scientific Consultant