REDX.L Regulatory News (REDX)

3 September 2015

AIM: REDX

Redx Pharma Plc

("Redx" or the "Company" or "Group")

Cancer research collaboration

with

Horizon Discovery Group plc

Redx, the drug discovery and development company, is pleased to announce a cancer research collaboration with Horizon Discovery Group plc, ("Horizon"), the international life science group.

The collaboration will focus on Redx's existing pan-RAF inhibitor program, which is focused on colorectal cancer, the fourth most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK.  

Redx's pan-RAF inhibitor program has identified next generation novel small molecule inhibitors of RAF kinases as potential treatments for colorectal and other potential cancers. These next generation pan-Raf inhibitors have been designed to overcome resistance mechanisms seen with first generation Raf inhibitors in colorectal cancer. As part of the collaboration, Horizon will deploy its proprietary gene editing, cell line and drug discovery technology platforms and know how to help explore the mode of action of Redx's pan-RAF inhibitors and support the Company as it seeks to move this rare class of compounds towards licensing.

Under the terms of the agreement, Redx and Horizon will bear costs proportionately to respective research activities and have agreed a revenue share for any successful out-licensing.

Neil Murray, Chief Executive of Redx, commented:

"Our pan-RAF inhibitor program is dealing with novel biology and is at a very interesting point. Our partnership with Horizon will enable us to detail at molecular level the effects of our pan-RAF inhibitors and help to progress this very promising program as we seek to secure a license partner for this asset."

Dr. Darrin M. Disley, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon, commented: 

"We are delighted to be able to support Redx with our proprietary technology platforms as they move towards securing a licensing agreement for these novel assets." 

ENDS

Enquiries

About Colorectal Cancer

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with about 40,000 people newly diagnosed each year. In colorectal cancer, cells in the colon or in the rectum start to grow in an uncontrolled way, forming a lump called the primary cancer or primary tumour. Like other cancers, colorectal cancer starts in a small area but can spread to other parts of the body to form metastatic tumours.

About Redx Pharma Plc

www.redxpharma.com

Redx is focused on the discovery and development of proprietary, small molecule therapeutics to address areas of high, unmet medical need, principally in cancer, infection and immunology, providing a pipeline of assets to larger and emerging companies. By improving the characteristics of existing drug classes to create highly differentiated, novel, best-in-class drugs, Redx has already established a portfolio of 13 proprietary (patent‑protected) drug programs. Five programs have now achieved pre-clinical proof of concept, with relevance for respective therapies to treat MRSA, bone tumours, skin, brain, breast, pancreatic and blood cancers.

About Horizon Discovery Group plc

www.horizondiscovery.com/

Horizon is a revenue-generating life science group supplying research tools to organisations engaged in genomics research and the development of personalised medicines. Horizon has a diverse and international customer base of over 1,000 organisations across nearly 50 countries, including major pharmaceutical, biotechnology and diagnostic companies as well as leading academic research centers. The Group supplies its products and services into multiple markets, estimated to total in excess of £29 billion by 2015.

Horizon's core capabilities are built around its proprietary translational genomics platform, a high-precision and flexible suite of gene editing tools able to alter almost any endogenous gene sequence of human or mammalian cell-lines. Horizon offers circa 16,500 products, almost all of which are based on the application of gene editing to generate cell lines that accurately model the disease-causing mutations found in genetically based diseases. These 'patients-in-a-test-tube' are being used by customers to identify the effect of individual or compound genetic mutations on drug activity, patient responsiveness, and resistance, which may lead to the successful prediction of which patient sub-groups will respond to currently available and future drug treatments.

In addition, Horizon provides custom cell line and in vivo model generation services for research and bioproduction applications, quantitative molecular reference standards, in vivo disease models, and contract research and custom screening services.

Horizon is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market under the ticker "HZD".