SUMM.L Regulatory News (SUMM)

22 Nov 2005 07:01

VASTox plc22 November 2005 For immediate release 22 November 2005 VASTox plc ("VASTox" or "the Company") Initiation of a Fourth Proprietary Programme in BMP Signalling Pathway Oxford, UK: 22 November 2005 - VASTox plc (AIM: VOX), the drug discovery andservices business, is pleased to announce that it has initiated a new drugdiscovery programme focused on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signallingpathway and, in particular, its role in osteoarthritis. This is VASTox's fourthproprietary programme alongside Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal MuscularAtrophy and Tuberculosis. VASTox will use its chemical genomics platform technology involving zebrafishembryos (Danio rerio) to screen its proprietary library of chemicals. Bysearching for small molecules that perturb the BMP pathway, VASTox looks togenerate lead compounds with efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Thezebrafish, as a vertebrate, shows a strong genetic similarity with humans andVASTox's own zebrafish make an ideal screen for BMP. This programme leveragesoff the years of research by Professor Roger Patient of the Weatherall Instituteof Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, who sits on the Company'sScientific Advisory Board. VASTox will retain all the intellectual propertyarising from this programme. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of old age and there arecurrently no treatments which directly treat the disease process. Degenerationof the cartilage in the joints, especially the hands, knees and hips, causesbones to rub together - causing damage and often debilitating pain. Currenttherapies focus on relieving pain or swelling but cannot improve the underlyingcondition because they do not cause damaged cartilage to grow back. Dr Steven Lee, CEO of VASTox, said: "As we stated in our interim results, we will end the year by initiating anotherproprietary drug discovery programme. Our fourth programme combines ourin-house expertise with zebrafish and medicinal chemistry with the skills andresearch breakthroughs of Professor Roger Patient in an exciting area of drugdiscovery. We continue to demonstrate our business model of capturingworld-leading academic science at the juncture of applied drug discovery whereit can no longer continue at University benches. Since IPO, our base has beenbuilt in terms of facilities, people and infrastructure to seamlessly carry thisout again and again." For more information please contact: VASTox plcSteven Lee, Chief Executive Officer 01235 443 901 07766 913 898Buchanan CommunicationsMark Court / Mary-Jane Johnson 020 7466 5000 Notes for Editors: About VASTox plc VASTox is a chemical genomics technology company that provides services to thepharmaceutical industry and discovers and develops proprietary novel drugs. Thecompany's technology platform aims to use high volume, high content screeningusing zebrafish and fruitflies to provide a high level of predictability of theefficacy and toxicity of potential drug compounds in humans. This has thepotential to dramatically decrease the time and cost of drug discovery anddevelopment. VASTox was formed in January 2003, from the University of Oxford,by some of the UK's foremost scientists who have taken a highly creativeapproach to the problems involved in drug discovery and who have a proven recordin delivering technological excellence. The company listed on the London StockExchange AIM in October 2004. About Signalling pathways, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) and Osteoarthritis Signalling pathways are the subject of intense research and commercial activityin the life sciences industry. These pathways refer to a sequence of biologicalprocesses that are essential for the healthy development of embryos. Once theembryo has developed the pathways become more specialised, in the case of theBMPs, the pathway becomes vital for the healthy regulation of bone andcartilage. The signalling pathway that involves BMPs are well conserved between zebrafishand humans and are essential in the development of the heart, central nervoussystem, bones and cartilage. Other well-researched pathways include 'wnt' and 'hedgehog' signalling pathways,both of which have been implicated in a wide range of diseases and disordersfrom cancers to alopecia. VASTox believes that its BMP programme will offersimilar potential. There is growing scientific evidence that the BMPs may playimportant roles as tumour suppressors as well. Therefore this programme hasadditional potential utility in the field of cancer. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 5 millionpeople in the UK alone. The disease causes the normally smooth cartilage injoints to become brittle and weak. Bone beneath then thickens to compensate,further damaging the cartilage and causing the bones to rub together. Thecondition is very painful and makes movements of the fingers, knees and hipsdifficult. There is no cure for osteoarthritis as cartilage cannot grow back.Current treatments focus on reducing inflammation and pain. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange