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26 Jun 2008 07:00
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26Β June 2008
ValiRxΒ plc
PromisingΒ In VivoΒ Data for VAL 101 CompoundΒ - targets Pancreatic Cancer, based on GeneICEβ’Β Gene Silencing Technology
26Β June 2008,Β LondonΒ β¦..Β ValiRx plc (AIM:VAL, 'ValiRx'), the cancer therapeutics and diagnostics company,Β has announced promisingΒ in vivoΒ results for its lead molecule VAL 101 which uses its gene silencing technology GeneICEβ’ inΒ preclinicalΒ xenographΒ models of pancreatic cancer.Β
Studies showed that the tumour growth was less than half the size of that seen in the control group.Β
Based on these results, the Company will now initiate further preclinical studies with the aim of progressing VAL 101 toward Phase I regulatory filingΒ by initiating toxicology studies. The Company has also recently expanded itsΒ product portfolio with the development of a second GeneICEβ’ anti-cancer molecule.
ValiRx's GeneICEβ’ technology platform utilises the cells' own inherent gene control machinery to effectively silence genes involved in cancer cell progression, in the case of VAL 101, targetingΒ the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2.Β These latestΒ in vivoΒ results follow on from studies earlier this year which provided evidence that GeneICEβ’ could trigger cell death in ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer cells. The application of GeneICEβ’ technology in both studies targeted the BCL-2 gene, which is often over-expressed in certain types of cancer and may lead to the development of chemotherapeutic cell-death resistance.
The Company's GeneICEβ’ technology platform recruits gene silencing factors known as Histone Deacetylase Complexes (HDACs) to genes involved in cancer cell progression, inhibiting their expression and activation. ValiRx is currently using the GeneICEβ’ platform to target other genes implicated in disease, including targets involved in neurological disease.Β
Commenting on these results, CEO of ValiRx Dr. Satu Vainikka said: "ThisΒ firstΒ in vivoΒ data provides further positive support for our GeneICEβ’ technology platform. By harnessing the cell's own inherent mechanisms of gene-silencing, we have shownΒ this can be translated intoΒ tumour growth inhibition. GeneICEβ’ holds promise for application in a wide variety of disease classes".
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Enquiries
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College Hill |
+44 (0)20 7457 2020 |
|
Sue Charles, Justine Lamond |
valirx@collegehill.comΒ |
|
ValiRxΒ |
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|
CEO Dr. Satu Vainikka |
+44 (0)203 0084416 |
|
WH Ireland Ltd |
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|
David Youngman / Adrian Kirk |
+44 (0)161 832 2174 |
Notes to Editors
About ValiRx
ValiRx plc (AIM:VAL, 'ValiRx') is a cancer therapeutics and diagnostics company headquartered in London, England and admitted to AIM in October 2006. The Company operates through two subsidiaries, Cronos Therapeutics Ltd (www.cronostherapeutics.com), a UK-based epigenetic drug discovery and development business and ValiBIO SA (www.valibio.com), a Belgium-based oncology diagnostics operation.
Therapeutics - Cronos Therapeutics LtdValiRxΒ utilises a cells own inherent gene control machinery to silence genes involved in cancer cell progression, effectively "switching off" genes involved in certain forms of cancerΒ through its platform technology GeneICEβ’Β (Gene Inactivation by Chromatin Engineering),. GeneICEβ’Β works through the recruitment of silencing complexes known as Histone Deacetylase Complexes (HDACs) to target genes involved in cancer.Β ValiRx's lead product VAL 101 targets the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2 which is over expressed in many cancers including in pancreatic cancer.Β
Gene silencing technology platform potentially represents an innovative and ground breaking new approach to cancer treatment as it allows for the development of targeted, personalised medicine and treatment for patients. GeneICEβ’Β is also applicable to a wide variety of other genetic disorders such as in the fields ofΒ neurology and inflammatory diseases.Β
Diagnostics - ValiBIO SAΒ ValiRx currently has two epigenetic diagnosis products - HyperGenomicsTM, aΒ method for the detection and identification of hypersensitive sites in cells andΒ NucleosomicsTM, a non-invasive (blood) test for early cancer diagnosis based on epigenetic signal changes associated with malignancyΒ - which it licences to its subsidiary, ValiBIO.Β
More information on the Company can be found atΒ www.valirx.com
Epigenetics
Epigenetics is the study and manipulation of regulatory factors which regulate and determine gene expression.Β
Unlike mutations which occur in DNA, epigenetic changes are reversible. The 'epigenetic' modification of the genome may take many forms, such as addition of external chemical groups for example methylation, acetylation and ubiquitination on to histone proteins associated with DNA.Β
Research currently suggests the de-regulation of normal epigenetic control mechanisms is implicated in the development and progression of certain cancers.Β Hence, compounds which specifically target and reverse these changes are attractive and potentially powerful candidates for future therapeutic approaches to cancer.
Personalised medicine
Personalised medicine refers to tailoring treatment strategies to work differently in different individuals, dependant upon such factors such as their genetic profile, epigenetic profile, environment and the presence of other diseases in the individual.
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