Last checked at 8 Dec 2016 07:00
ValiRx Plc
("ValiRx" or "the Company")
EUROPEAN PATENT GRANTED FOR LEAD THERAPEUTIC COMPOUND VAL201
London, UK., 08 December 2016: ValiRx Plc (AIM: VAL), a life science company, which focuses on clinical stage cancer therapeutic development, taking proprietary & novel technology for precision medicines towards commercialisation and partnering, is pleased to announce that a patent ("Anti-Androgen Peptides and Uses Thereof in Cancer Therapy") covering its lead therapeutic compound VAL201 has been granted by the European Patent Office.
The compound is currently in a "Phase I/II dose escalation study to assess safety and tolerability of VAL201 in the treatment of prostate cancer and other solid tumours". It is a dose escalation and pharmacokinetic study to assess the safety and tolerability of VAL201 in patients with advanced stage prostate cancer (APC).
To date, no dose limiting toxicity (DLT) has been observed, nor have any therapeutically related serious adverse events (SAE). VAL201 has met and exceeds so far the predicted safety and tolerability criteria set for the trial and most of the patients who have completed the study showed stable disease on imaging following treatment, with more subjects still being followed.
Furthermore, subjects on a realistic dose have shown significant changes in PSA levels related to their treatment with VAL201. ValiRx's initial observations are that the clinical results correlate with the pre-clinical studies, which showed efficacy in prostate, breast and ovarian cancer models as well as addressing endometriosis or hormone induced abnormal cell growth in women.
The original patent and technology covering VAL201 is licensed by ValiRx from Cancer Research Technology ("CRT") for use in androgen resistant cancer. ValiRx has all rights to perform pre-clinical and clinical developments and obtaining regulatory approvals in all territories. ValiRx also has full, worldwide rights, control and benefits over the commercialisation and development of potential treatments.
The grant of this latest patent to the Company means that it now has patent protection for VAL201 in Japan, Europe and Australia, with further patents pending for the compound in significant markets across the rest of the world, alongside other granted and patents pending for the Group's therapeutic technologies world-wide.
Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, commented: "This latest patent strengthens our worldwide protection for VAL201 and the grant builds pleasingly on the back of VAL201's recent clinical trial success".
"This grant supports the potential value of the compound and solidifies our opportunity in ongoing discussions with potential partners".
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.
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For more information, please contact:
ValiRx plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3008 4416 www.valirx.com |
Dr Satu Vainikka, Chief Executive | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3008 4416 |
Tarquin Edwards, Head of Communications. | Tel: +44 (0) 7879 458 364 tarquin.edwards@valirx.com |
Mark Treharne, Corporate Development Manager | Tel: +44 (0) 7736 564 686 mark.treharne@valirx.com |
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nominated Adviser) | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7213 0880 |
Liam Murray / Jo Turner | |
Northland Capital Partners Limited (Joint Broker) | Tel: +44 (0) 203 861 6625 |
Patrick Claridge / David Hignell (Corporate Finance) John Howes / Abigail Wayne (Broking) | |
Beaufort Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | Tel: +44 (0) 207 382 8300 |
Jon Belliss |
Notes for Editors
ValiRx Plc
ValiRx is a biotechnology oncology focussed company specialising in developing novel treatments for cancer and associated biomarkers. It aims to make a significant contribution in "precision" medicine and science, namely to engineer a breakthrough into human health and well-being, through the early detection of cancer and its therapeutic intervention.
The Company's business model focuses on out-licensing therapeutic candidates early in the development process. By aiming for early-stage value creation, the company reduces risk considerably while increasing the potential for realising value. The group is already in licensing discussions with major players in the oncology field.
ValiRx's two classes of drugs in development, which each have the potential for meeting hitherto unmet medical needs by existing methods, have worldwide patent filings and agreed commercial rights. They originate or derive from Word class institutions, such as Cancer Research UK and Imperial College.
Until recently, cancer treatments relied on non-specific agents, such as chemotherapy. With the development of target-based agents, primed to attack cancer cells only, less toxic and more effective treatments are now possible. New drugs in this group-such as those in ValiRx's pipeline-promise to greatly improve outcomes for cancer patients.
The Company listed on the Alternative Investment Market ("AIM") of the London Stock Exchange in October 2006 and trades under the ticker symbol: VAL.