MPM.L Regulatory News (MPM)

25 Oct 2005 06:00

Minster Pharmaceuticals to work with Quintiles on clinical study of tonabersat 25 October 2005, Cambridge, UK Minster Pharmaceuticals, the AIM-listed (AIM:MPM) drug development company focused on psychiatric and neurologicaldisorders, has signed an agreement with Quintiles to carry out a Phase IIbproof of concept study with its drug candidate tonabersat in the prophylaxis(prevention) of migraine. Tonabersat is classified as a gap junction blockerand acts by inhibiting the abnormalities of brain function thought to underliethe development of migraine attacks. Quintiles is the world's leadingpharmaceutical services organisation.The study will be performed to International Headache Society standards inexperienced centres in the UK, Denmark, South Africa and Hungary. Results areexpected in early 2007.Compared with acute treatment, prophylaxis of migraine is a poorly treatedindication and this market is therefore less developed. Most drugs forprophylaxis are of limited efficacy and tend to be poorly tolerated; theyinclude older products such as beta-blockers and anti-epileptic drugs. TheInternational Headache Society estimates that up to 25% of migraineurs may besuitable for prophylaxis.Paul Sharpe, CEO of Minster Pharmaceuticals said: "This alliance with Quintilesto evaluate tonabersat taken on a daily basis in prevention of migraine is amajor step forward for Minster. It is likely that this will become the firstindication to be registered for this product although other acute uses inmigraine, such as pre-emptive treatment of an imminent migraine attack, areexpected to follow. Given the clear demonstration of clinical activity withtonabersat in previous migraine studies, we anticipate showing real benefit inthis indication".Professor Jes Olesen, past President of the International Headache Society whowill be participating in the trial, added: "Tonabersat is an extremelyinteresting compound with a novel and very specific mechanism of action whichmeans it is likely to be effective in prophylaxis of migraine." --ENDS- For further information, please contact:Minster Pharmaceuticals plcDr Paul Sharpe, CEO +44 (0) 1799 506623Northbank Communications +44 (0) 207 886 8150Emma Palmer (financial enquiries)Rowan Minnion (media enquiries)Notes to editorsAbout migraineMigraine is one of the most common neurological conditions affecting around 10%of the population in the US and Europe. A recent study published by theEuropean Journal of Neurology estimated migraine to be the second mostexpensive neurological disease with the total cost to European societyestimated at ¢â€š¬27bn. The condition is underdiagnosed and undertreated, with just10% of migraine sufferers in the US believed to be seeking treatment.About Minster PharmaceuticalsMinster Pharmaceuticals is an AIM-listed (AIM:MPM) drug development companyspecialising in compounds for the treatment of neurological and psychiatricconditions. The Company was established as BioPartners Ltd in 2001 when itacquired from GlaxoSmithKline the worldwide development rights for twocompounds, tonabersat and sabcomeline, which have benefited from GSK'ssubstantial investment. Tonabersat, a novel compound for the treatment andprevention of migraine, completed a Phase II programme in over 1000 patients inthe late 1990s, and is being developed further in this indication by MinsterPharmaceuticals. Sabcomeline has completed clinical trials in over 2,500patients, and has been identified as a potential treatment for chronicschizophrenia. It is now in Phase II trials. Development work is carried out byservice providers such as contract research organisations, and at theappropriate time Minster plans to license its pharmaceutical products topharmaceutical companies in order to complete development, register and marketthe drugs. As well as the development of sabcomeline and tonabersat, thecompany is looking to take on the development of further compounds by way ofacquisition or in-licensing. For more information, please go to www.minsterpharma.com.ENDMINSTER PHARMACEUTICALS PLC