ValiRx Regulatory News (VAL)

12 Nov 2007 07:00

For immediate release - 7.00am, 12th November 2007

ValiRx Plc ("ValiRx") European Technology Patent for Nucleosomics

ValiRx (AIM: VAL), the cancer therapeutics company, today announces that following the announcement on 15 October 2007 regarding the signing of a full license agreement with Chroma Therapeutics Ltd ("Chroma") to commercialise Nucleosomics1, a non-invasive diagnostic technology patent developed by Chroma, ValiRx has been allowed the European patent for its Nucleosomics technology patent application.

Nucleosomics complements ValiRx's existing cancer diagnostics technology, HyperGenomics.2 Together these create a non-invasive, mass screening, cancer diagnostics package with the potential to deliver early stage diagnosis, specific diagnosis, prognosis, evaluation and therapeutic strategy. The ongoing testing and development of the Nucleosomics technology will be carried out by ValiBIO S.A., ValiRx's recently formed Belgium subsidiary; where research will also be undertaken to develop Nucleosomics as a specific marker for specific cancers.

Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, commented:

"We are delighted to have received this European patent. It further strengthens the position of our interlinked suite of oncology related diagnostic technologies against a background of strong growth in the oncology diagnostic market."

---Ends--- Notes to editor 1. NucleosomicsTM

Nucleosomics is a non-invasive (blood) test for early cancer diagnosis based on epigenetic signal changes associated with malignancy.

The control of gene expression is determined by a number of different epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Paramount amongst these is the chromatin environment surrounding the gene and key covalent modifications (including acetylation, methylation, phosphorilation and others) to the histone proteins associated with the nucleosomes of the gene. This is often referred to as the histone code.

Disruption of the normal histone code is associated with aberrant gene expression and malignant transformation and these alterations are the basis of Nucleosomics.

Nucleosomics is non-invasive. Intact nucleosomes derived from tumour chromatin are found in the blood of cancer patients, but not in healthy individuals. These cell-free nucleosomes can be analysed for histone code modifications. The presence in the blood of nucleosomes associated with particular histone modifications and/or gene sequences can therefore be used to diagnose the particular cancer.

2. HyperGenomics

Developed by Chronos Therapeutics, the HyperGenomics technology characterises cancerous and normal cells by mapping the open areas of chromatin on a chromosome using a patented PCR-based method.

About ValiRx plc

ValiRx is a biopharmaceutical development company that is building a portfolio of complementary cancer-related therapeutic and diagnostic technologies. It currently holds stakes in Cronos and Morphogenesis Inc;

* Cronos holds licenses to two innovative and potentially market changing technologies, GeneICE and HyperGenomics; * Morphogenesis Inc. is developing a portfolio of cell therapy products for the treatment of chronic disorders. Its most advanced product, being ImmuneFx¢â€ž¢ for which it recently received a patent from the US patent office. ValiRx is headquartered in London, England. Further information can be found atwww.valirx.comContact Details: ValiRx Plc WH Ireland GTH Communications Dr Satu Vainikka David Youngman Toby Hall / Jade Mamarbachi +44 (0) 203 008 4416 +44 (0) 161 832 2174 +44 (0) 20 7153 8035