SUMM.L Regulatory News (SUMM)

31 Jan 2005 07:00

VASTox plc31 January 2005 For immediate release 31 January 2005 VASTox plc ("VASTox" or "the Company") VASTox Screen Validates MNL's Compound Activity Oxford, UK: 31 January 2005 - VASTox plc (AIM: VOX), the Oxford-based drugdiscovery and services business focused on chemical genomics, today is pleasedto announce a chemical genomics screening deal with MNLpharma (formerlyMolecularnature). The collaboration provided valuable in vivo data on MNL'sproprietary immunomodulators and establishes VASTox's screening technology as apowerful tool for gaining insight into disease pathways and additionalapplications. A number of MNL's proprietary naturally occurring, small molecules with alreadydefined disease targets were put through VASTox screens in a "blinded" fashion.VASTox's screens picked out the correct targets and provided valuable in vivodata on the compounds. Dr Steven Lee, CEO of VASTox, commented: "The services part of our business isvaluable as it both complements our drug discovery business by providingrevenues and validates our chemical genomics approach. Our platform showed anexceptionally high level of biological activity in MNL's compounds compared withothers we have reviewed. We were impressed by the variety of targets andpathways for which MNL have active compounds. We look forward to working withMNL to further characterise the compounds and confirm the mechanisms." Hadyn Parry, CEO of MNLpharma, commented: "VASTox technology has furtherenhanced our knowledge surrounding a portfolio of compounds by providingindependent exemplification of the activity and commercial potential. Thistechnology provides a valuable alternative to the traditional in vitro / in vivodrug development model." Contact details: VASTox 01865 316917 Steven Lee, Chief Executive Officer Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000 Tim Anderson / Mark Court / Mary-Jane Johnson Note for Picture Editors: High resolution images are available for the media to view and download free ofcharge from http://www.vismedia.co.uk Notes for Editors: About VASTox VASTox is a chemical genomics technology company that both provides services tothe pharmaceutical industry, and discovers and develops proprietary novel drugs. The company's technology platform aims to use high volume, high contentscreening using zebrafish and fruitflies to provide a high level ofpredictability of the efficacy and toxicity of potential drug compounds inhumans which has the potential to dramatically decrease the time and cost ofdrug discovery and development. VASTox was formed in January 2003, from theUniversity of Oxford, by some of the UK's foremost scientists who have taken ahighly creative approach to the problems involved in drug discovery and who havea proven record in delivering technological excellence. The company listed onthe London Stock Exchange AIM in October 2004. About MNLpharma MNLpharma (formerly Molecularnature) is a biopharmaceutical company focused onthe discovery and development of naturally occurring immunomodulators for thetreatment of disease. The Company's in-house programmes are targeted at thetreatment of cancer, infectious diseases and other immune disorders. For moreinformation, visit http://www.mnlpharma.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange