SUMM.L Regulatory News (SUMM)

8 Apr 2005 07:00

VASTox plc08 April 2005 For immediate release 8 April 2005 VASTox plc ("VASTox" or "the Company") VASTox presents progress on its Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy programme Oxford, UK: 8 April 2005 - VASTox plc (AIM: VOX), the Oxford-based drugdiscovery and services business focused on chemical genomics, is pleased toannounce that Professor Kay Davies FRS, CBE, scientific founder of VASTox plcand Head of Human Anatomy and Genetics at University of Oxford, was invited byIsis Innovation, a subsidiary of the University of Oxford, to present ascientific breakthrough in new research, in the field of muscular dystrophy, tothe Oxford Innovation Society. Professor Davies gave a key note presentationentitled 'The Challenges of Therapies for Muscular Dystrophy' last night and theevent was well attended by opinion-leaders from major pharmaceutical companies. Muscular dystrophies are genetic disorders causing lower than normal levels ofthe protein dystrophin in the body. Professor Davies discovered a closelyrelated protein called utrophin that now forms a promising target for treatingthe disease. In the presentation Professor Davies commented that most current funding formuscular dystrophy research is focused on approaches such as gene therapy.Professor Davies highlighted the approach taken by VASTox and her academicdepartment at Oxford University in using 'small molecules' which offer severaladvantages and have more in common with drugs on the market today. In the new research that Professor Davies reported yesterday she said that thediscovery of several novel structural chemical classes had upregulated utrophinto therapeutically significant levels. These new VASTox molecules havedrug-like properties and represent a wider field of candidates for potentialdrugs. Dr Steve Lee, CEO of VASTox, commented: "This exciting research offers ascientific breakthrough and, together with recent key appointments to ourScientific Advisory Board and research teams, underpins VASTox's strength in thediscovery of a new treatment for muscular dystrophy." --ENDS-- Contact details:VASTox 07766 913898Steven Lee, Chief Executive Officer Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000Tim Anderson / Mark Court / Mary-Jane Johnson 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. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange