PVG.L Regulatory News (PVG)

Ark's novel Neuropilin 1 antagonists significantly reduce tumour growth in cancer model

 Potent small molecules expected to be useful in a wide range of cancers

London, UK, 12 April 2010- Ark Therapeutics Group plc ("Ark" or the "Company") today announces that the first of its novel small molecule neuropilin 1 ('NRP-1') antagonists, EG01257, has successfully completed a proof of principle study in a preclinical model of lung cancer. EG01257, a low nanomolar potent molecule, significantly reduced the rate of tumour growth and showed no evidence of toxicity.

In the recent pre-clinical proof of principle study in a murine model of lung cancer, a single daily dose of EG01257 given for two weeks, was shown to reduce the rate of tumour growth by 52% (p=0.017). No evidence of toxicity was seen in the study, consistent with finding of earlier toxicity work at high doses.

NRP-1 is a therapeutic target of increasing interest for the treatment of cancer; consequently Ark intends to seek a partner to develop its NRP-1 programme further.

Background to NRP-1

NRP-1, originally discovered as a Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) co-receptor, has been shown to have other potential therapeutic activity independent of VEGF, via a range of important growth factors such as PDGF and HGF. Because of the multiple pathways that NRP-1 can influence, tumours treated with NRP-1 antagonists are less likely to escape from treatment control which is a problem with anti VEGF drugs with more restricted modes of action.

Ark has synthesised a number of non cytotoxic NRP-1 small molecule antagonists in the low nanomolar potency range which have been designed by a unique combination of structural and mutational biology and computational chemistry in conjunction with scientists at University College London. Antagonism of the NRP-1 receptor has shown a triple anticancer effect by directly impairing tumour cell growth, inhibiting the development of new blood vessels which 'feed' tumours' (anti-angiogenic) and reducing cancer cell mobility (potentially anti-metastatic).

Professor John Martin, Chief Scientific Officer at Ark, commented: "This result, from a single dose of EG01257, is extremely promising and compares very favourably with other approaches to block this receptor. Whilst we had much larger molecules where we had demonstrated the different anti-tumour effects, our success in creating small molecules potent in low nanomolar concentrations is a significant advance and we are delighted to report these results. Treatment of cancer through this new target offers great promise and is an important development for all cancer sufferers."

Dr Nigel Parker Chief Executive Officer of Ark added: "We are very pleased with our transition to nanomolar potency small molecules; these first results are very encouraging and we look forward to conducting further trials alongside a suitable partner in due course."

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Notes to Editors

Ark Therapeutics Group plc

Ark Therapeutics Group plc is a specialist healthcare group (the "Group") addressing high value areas of unmet medical need within vascular disease, wound care and cancer. These are large and growing markets, where opportunities exist for effective new products to generate significant revenues. With six marketed devices, Kerraboot®, Kerraped®, Flaminal®, Neuropad®, KerraMax® and Kerraglove® and three further lead pharmaceutical products in late stage clinical development: Cerepro®, Vitor™, and Trinam®, and two in Phase I/IIa trials, EG011 and EG016, the Group is transitioning from an R&D company to a commercial, revenue generating business.

Ark's own products are sourced from related but largely non-dependent technologies within the Group and have been selected to enable them to be taken through development within the Group's own means and to benefit from Orphan Drug Status and/or Fast Track Designation, as appropriate. This strategy has allowed the Group to retain greater value and greater control of clinical development timelines, and to mitigate the risks of dependency on any one particular programme or development partner. Ark has secured patents or has patent applications pending for all its lead products in principal pharmaceutical markets.

Ark has its origins in businesses established in the mid-1990s by Professor John Martin and Mr Stephen Barker of University College London and Professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala of the AI Virtanen Institute at the University of Kuopio, Finland, all of whom play leading roles in the Company's research and development programmes.

Ark's shares were first listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2004 (AKT.L).

This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" which include all statements other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding the Group's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to the Group's products and services), and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include forward-looking terminology such as the words "targets", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "can", "may", "anticipates", "would", "should", "could" or similar expressions or the negative thereof. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the Group's control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Group's present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Group will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause the Group's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those relating to Ark's funding requirements, regulatory approvals, clinical trials, reliance on third parties, intellectual property, key personnel and other factors. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. As a result of these factors, readers are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statement.