ValiRx Regulatory News (VAL)

18 Apr 2007 07:00

For immediate release: 18th April 2007

VALIRX PLC ("ValiRx") Research & Development Update

ValiRx (AIM: VAL), the cancer therapeutics company, today announces that its subsidiary company, Cronos Therapeutics Ltd ("Cronos"), together with ATDBio Ltd ("ATDBio") have completed their initial experiments involving GeneICE - the gene-silencing technology.

The experiments involved investigating the chemical binding of the GeneICE drug currently in development with Cancer Research Technology Limited to its predicted genetic DNA sequence target by `DNA triplex formation'. The results confirmed that the GeneICE drug binds to its predicted genetic target under model physiological conditions..

The work was undertaken using a novel chemistry invented and developed by Tom Brown, Professor of Bio-organic Chemistry and Head of Synthetic Chemistry at the University of Southampton and co-founder of ATDBio. Professor Brown is a leading expert in `DNA triplex formation' and new methods of nucleic acid sequence recognition, mispairing and mutagenesis in DNA and the application of nucleic acid chemistry in genetic analysis and nanotechnology.

Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, commented:

"This is a big step forward in providing independent chemical confirmation of our predicted mode of action for GeneICE drugs and further chemistry development and molecular design is now being carried out with Professor Brown and ATDBio."

Professor Tom Brown of the University of Southampton, added:

"The mode of action is an important aspect of the regulatory requirements to which these drugs will be subject and these results will provide invaluable support for their timely advance through the regulatory process."

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Notes to Editors:

Cronos' GeneICE technology enables the selective silencing of specific genes in humans and animals by targeted histone deacetylation leading to chromatin condensation.

Information on 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.

For more information, please go to: www.valirx.com

Information on ATDBio Ltd

ATDBio is an independent company operating from the School of Chemistry at Southampton University. It has an interest in all aspects of oligonucleotide synthesis and its aim is to deliver high quality products based on a deep understanding of the chemistry of modified oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogues.

For more information, please go to: www.atdbio.com

Contact Details: ValiRx Plc WH Ireland University of GTH Communications Southampton Dr Satu Vainikka David Youngman Professor Tom Toby Hall / Jade Brown Mamarbachi +44 (0) 207 408 +44 (0) 161 832 +44 (0)2380 596 +44 (0) 20 7153 8035 5400 2174 778