Melbourne, Australia: Starpharma Holdings Limited (ASX:SPL, OTCQX:SPHRY) has received notification that it will be elevated to the S&P/ASX 300 Index, effective from 19^th September.

The S&P/ASX 300 index provides additional depth and coverage to the S&P/ASX 200.  It provides up to an additional 100 small-cap stocks to the S&P/ASX 200, and is designed to address investment managers' needs to benchmark against a portfolio characterized by sufficient size and liquidity.

The inclusion of Starpharma in the S&P/ASX 300 follows a period of significant advancement across all development programs and an increase in market capitalization and liquidity.  Recent developments include:

• VivaGel^® demonstrating efficacy in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV), paving the way for Phase 3 Trials in FY 2011/12;

• Commencement of the Phase 2 Trial for prevention of recurrence of BV;

• Japanese VivaGel^®-coated condom deal with leading company Okamoto, securing access to the world’s second largest condom market;

•  VivaGel^®-coated condom rights reassigned to Ansell;

• Market leading agrochemical candidates including glyphosate (active ingredient in Roundup^®) demonstrated improved performance when formulated with Starpharma’s dendrimers;

• Major cancer drug, docetaxel showed significant improvement in Starpharma’s drug delivery program.

Starpharma Chief Executive Officer Dr Jackie Fairley said “We are delighted to have achieved inclusion into the ASX300.  This milestone is recognition of the substantial increase in institutional interest in the company in the last 12 months, particularly in Asia and Europe”.

Starpharma was added following Standard and Poor’s quarterly review.

Download ASX Announcement: Starpharma elevated to S&P/ASX300 index (pdf file, 145kb)