ValiRx Regulatory News (VAL)

ValiRx Plc ("ValiRx")

ValiRx announces good stability data for VAL201

ValiRx is pleased to announce that initial stability testing of its novel anti-androgen VAL201 has been completed, with the molecule showing good stability in simulated gastric conditions. This is an important milestone in the development of VAL201 as a treatment for prostate cancer, and on the basis that it will also demonstrate good bioavailability, it may be possible for the drug to be delivered orally rather than by injection.

VAL201 is a peptide that has already shown therapeutic efficacy in prostate and breast cancer models. At low dosage, it is anticipated that treatment with this compound will lead to fewer side effects than reported with existing cancer treatments. Furthermore, the potential to produce the drug in oral form raises the hope of lowering the cost of treatment.

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the second leading cause of new cancer cases in men worldwide and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in men. This sector is one of the larger segments in the oncology markets. According to analysts' estimates, sales of prostate cancer treatments will increase to over US$7.7 billion by 2015, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%.

Following this encouraging development, VAL201 will now be tested for effective uptake from the gut in an in-vitro model of the human gut as part of its continuing preclinical development. 

Satu Vainikka, CEO commented:

"We are very pleased to have seen good results from this part of the development programme. The biotech industry has a major role to play in delivering more effective and less toxic cancer treatments; approximately 75% of new drugs in phase II and III clinical trials or at the pre-registration stage are of biotech origin. There is a great market need for innovative therapies in the hormone induced cancer field and we believe that VAL201 is well placed in this area."

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