Aratana Therapeutics To Highlight Pet Therapeutic Market Need and Support of Pet Adoption During The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell on October 18, 2013

KANSAS CITY, Kan. and BOSTON, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Aratana Therapeutics (Nasdaq: PETX), a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the licensing, development and commercialization of innovative medications for pets (pet therapeutics), today announced that it will ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell on October 18, 2013 and has invited the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, a leading New York City rescue organization, and several of its adoptable pets, to share in the event. The ceremony will commemorate Aratana's successful initial public offering on June 27, 2013 and serve as a forum to advocate for the health and well being of pets through better medications and more humane treatment.

Steven St. Peter, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Aratana Therapeutics, stated, "We are honored to ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell on October 18, and even more honored to invite the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals to participate in this special event.  For Aratana, this is not only an occasion to celebrate our growth as a company and the burgeoning pet therapeutics market, but it's an opportunity to salute the Mayor's Alliance and the community of animal rescue organizations it represents for their tireless efforts to save the lives of countless pets, a mission that Aratana supports wholeheartedly."

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Mayor's Alliance is a non-profit coalition of more than 150 New York City-area animal rescue groups and shelters. In addition to serving as a powerful voice for its participating organizations, the Alliance offers essential programs and services that help save the lives of New York City's homeless animals.  Since its 2003 founding, nearly a quarter-million dogs and cats have been saved as a result of this community collaboration, and New York City's animal euthanasia rate has dropped 74 percent, giving the city the lowest rate per capita of any major U.S. metropolis.

Jane Hoffman, president of the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals, said, "We are grateful to Aratana for inviting us to participate in this exciting event.  We look forward to adding to the celebration by giving several of our adoptable pets the chance to show themselves off on a national stage. "

About Aratana Therapeutics
Aratana Therapeutics is a development-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the licensing, development and commercialization of innovative medications for pets, or pet therapeutics. Aratana believes that it can leverage the investment in the human biopharmaceutical industry to bring therapeutics to pets in a capital and time efficient manner. Aratana's strategy is to in-license proprietary compounds from human biopharmaceutical companies and to develop these product candidates into therapeutics specifically for use in pets. Aratana believes the development and commercialization of these therapeutics will permit veterinarians and pet owners to manage pets' medical needs safely and effectively, resulting in longer and improved quality of life for pets.  For more information, please visit www.aratana.com.

About Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals
The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity that works with more than 150 partner rescue groups and no-kill shelters to offer important programs and services to save the lives of NYC's homeless animals. Receiving no government funding, we are supported by donations from foundations, corporations, and individuals. As we mark our tenth anniversary in 2013, we are committed to transforming New York City into a no-kill community by 2015: where no dogs or cats of reasonable health and temperament will be killed merely because they do not have homes. www.AnimalAllianceNYC.org

Contacts:
Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc.

Joshua Drumm, Ph.D. (investors)
[email protected]; (212) 375-2664

Andrew Mielach (media)
[email protected]; (212) 375-2694

Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals

Steve Gruber (media)
[email protected]; 917-359-6003

SOURCE Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.