Provexis Regulatory News (PXS)

21 Mar 2007 07:02

Provexis PLC21 March 2007 21 March 2007 PROVEXIS plc ("Provexis" or the "Company") GRANT OF US PATENT FOR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE TECHNOLOGY Provexis plc, the nutraceutical company that develops scientifically-provenfunctional and medical foods, announces that the US Patent Office has granted apatent for its plantain-based extract for the treatment of Inflammatory BowelDisease ("IBD"). Provexis has been developing the plantain-based extract in conjunction with itspartner, the University of Liverpool, with the aim of extending periods ofremission in Crohn's Disease patients. A prototype product is currentlyundergoing final testing, and the Company will shortly be applying forauthorisation to commence a large-scale one-year human trial later in 2007. Stephen Moon, CEO commented: "We are pleased that the patent for our plantain technology has been granted inthe world's largest market. Preparations for the human trial are now welladvanced and we believe this important element of our pipeline will deliversignificant shareholder value in the future." -ends- For further information please contact: Stephen Moon, CEOProvexis plc Tel: 020 8392 6631 Tom Griffiths/Richard JohnsonArbuthnot Securities Tel: 020 7012 2000 Notes: Crohn's Disease is a type of IBD affecting 1 in 600 people in the developedworld. Current treatments are expensive, have limited efficacy and can also havesignificant side effects. Given the debilitating nature of the disease, anefficacious and cost effective supplement specifically aimed at the maintenanceof remission should be attractive to the medical profession and Crohn's Diseasesufferers. The fruit of the plantain, which is similar to the banana, contains atype of soluble fibre with bioactive properties. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange