SLN.L Regulatory News (SLN)

13 Sep 2006 08:30

SR Pharma plc Announces Encouraging Results for Atu027 RNAi Showing Therapeutic Efficacy in Mouse Models of Pancreatic Cancer London, UK, September 13 2006 ¢â‚¬¦.. SR Pharma plc (London LSE: SPA) and itsoperating subsidiary Atugen AG announce that studies at the Charitƒ© Hospital,Berlin have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of Atu027 RNAi in animalmodels of pancreatic cancer. The data showed both inhibition of cancer growthand prevention of metastatic spread, demonstrating potent efficacy andeffective delivery, with no adverse events. These promising data support theclinical development program for Atu027 RNAi for pancreatic cancer which isscheduled to enter human clinical trials in 2007. Atu027 RNAi is an excitingnovel therapeutic drug being developed based on small interfering RNA.Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer death. With theexception of surgery in early stages, no curative treatment for this tumourexists. Until now, only Gemcitabine has been approved for palliative treatment.However, no convincing data on effective control of tumour growth exist foreither Gemcitabine or any other drugs tested so far. Therefore, any drugshowing inhibition of tumour growth or tumour shrinkage meets unmet medicalneeds.Atugen has concentrated its efforts to meet this medical need by developingAtu027 RNAi. In these studies, mice with human pancreatic cancer were injectedwith Atu027 RNAi, a modified and stabilized small interfering RNA drug,formulated in a proprietary liposomal based delivery system (AtuPLEX). Atu027RNAi works by specifically targeting PKN3, a proprietary protein kinase target.Prof. Bertram Wiedenmann, Director Hepatology & Gastroenterology at theCharitƒ©, Berlin, under whose supervision the studies were guided, stated: "Theresults of these studies are very encouraging for patients suffering frompancreatic cancer. The data achieved in these studies have shown significantinhibition of both cell proliferation and metastatic spread."Klaus Giese, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of SR Pharma, said: "These data arevery encouraging and we are on track to enter the clinic with Atu027 RNAi in2007. This product, to be delivered systemically, will be our first productinto the clinic using AtuPLEX, our proprietary liposomal formulation". - Ends - SR Pharma (www.srpharma.com)SR Pharma plc is a European biopharmaceutical company, listed on AIM. TheCompany has two operating subsidiaries Atugen AG (www.atugen.com) based inBerlin, Germany and Stanford Rook Ltd based in London, UK.Atugen is a leader in RNAi therapeutics. This Company has developed novel,chemically modified proprietary siRNA molecules ("AtuRNAi") and a proprietarydelivery system ("AtuPLEX") both of which have advantages over conventionalsiRNA molecules and their delivery systems. Currently Atugen and itscollaboration partners have lead molecules in pre-clinical development for avariety of therapeutic indications. Clinical development of AtuRNAi therapeuticmolecules for systemic applications in Atugen's oncology programs are targetedto start in 2007. Other clinical AtuRNAi therapeutic programs of Atugen'scollaborators are scheduled to commence in 2H 2006.Stanford Rook Ltd is an immunotherapy based company which owns a proprietaryMycobacterium vaccae-based technology and related products, which have beenevaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of asthma, cancer andtuberculosis. In addition this Company has a number of other proprietaryimmunotherapeutic compounds and related intellectual property. Currently theCompany is in discussions with third parties regarding the co-development andout-licensing of M. vaccae and related products.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release includes forward-looking statements that are subject torisks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks and uncertainties couldcause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in theforward-looking statements. All forward--looking statements are based oninformation currently available to SR Pharma and SR Pharma assumes noobligation to update any such forward-looking statements.Enquiries:For further information, please contact the following:SR Pharma plc Atugen AG +44(0)20 7307 1620 +49(0)30 9489 2800 Iain Ross, Executive Chairman Thomas Christƒ©ly, CEO Melvyn Davies, Finance Director Dr. Klaus Giese, CSO Northbank communication +44(0)20 7886 8150 Sue Charles, Justine Lamond srpharma@northbankcommunications.com ENDSR PHARMA PLC