RE: EVG5 Mar 2019 08:27
SFX-01 data published in peer reviewed journal
Tue, 5th Mar 2019 07:00
RNS Number : 8089R
Evgen Pharma PLC
05 March 2019
For immediate release
5 March 2019
Evgen Pharma plc
("Evgen Pharma" or "the Company")
SFX-01 data published in Peer Reviewed Journal
Evgen's SFX-01 reduces residual disability in a model of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Evgen Pharma (AIM: EVG), a clinical stage drug development company focused on the treatment of cancer and neurological conditions, is pleased to announce the publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal showing that its lead product, SFX-01, reduced residual disability in a model of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis ("MS").
The paper, "SFX-01 reduces residual disability after experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis", has been published in the journal Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders and describes the work undertaken by researchers to test the efficacy of SFX-01 in murine relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a model of MS. The data demonstrated that SFX-01 reduced residual disability both prophylactically and after disease induction. Most of this effect was mediated by a decrease in maximum severity of relapses and improved recovery during follow-up. Histological examination of the spinal cord was consistent with the clinical findings, with improvement in demyelination and the number of apoptotic cells, but not inflammatory cell infiltration.
The publication follows Evgen's presentation of its preclinical study data of SFX-01 in various models of the relapsing remitting form of multiple sclerosis at the 32nd Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) .
The paper can be viewed at: https://www.msard-journal.com/article/S2211-0348(19)30104-X/fulltext (Ian Galea et al; SFX-01 reduces residual disability after experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 2019).
Steve Franklin, CEO of Evgen Pharma, commented:
"The leading product in MS treatment generates revenues of several billion dollars per annum despite an adverse side effect profile. There is an attractive opportunity for oral disease-modifying agents with comparable or better efficacy and an improved side-effect profile."
Ian Galea, Associate Professor in Experimental Neurology, who leads the Southampton Clinical and Experimental Neurology Team (http://go.soton.ac.uk/6ya) at the University of Southampton, said:
"We remain excited by the potential of SFX-01 for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis, and also the secondary progressive form of the disease. On the back of this data, we will work with Evgen to explore all sources of charitable, grant and commercial funding to ensure that this opportunity is progressed."