Vernalis PLC Regulatory News (VER)

4 Nov 2005 07:01

Vernalis PLC04 November 2005 4 November 2005 Vernalis Announces Collaboration with Britannia to Develop New Formulations of Apomorphine for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Vernalis plc (LSE: VER, NASDAQ: VNLS) today announces a collaboration withBritannia Pharmaceuticals Limited (Britannia), to explore the development of newformulations of apomorphine in North America for the treatment of Parkinson'sdisease. Britannia has granted Vernalis exclusive rights to: • Use Britannia's technology to develop a continuous sub-cutaneous infusion of apomorphine in North America. This product is currently marketed in Europe by Britannia and can be used in patients with frequent fluctuations or who require multiple injections in a day. • Negotiate terms to develop a nasal powder formulation of apomorphine in North America. Britannia is currently conducting Phase II clinical trials with this formulation in Europe. Vernalis also announced today the acquisition of Apokyn(R) (apomorphinehydrochloride injection) which is indicated for the acute, intermittenttreatment of "off" episodes associated with Parkinson's disease. Simon Sturge, CEO of Vernalis said "This agreement with Britannia complementsour acquisition of Apokyn(R) and further strengthens our Parkinson's diseasefranchise." - ends - Enquiries: Vernalis plc +44 (0) 118 977 3133 Simon Sturge, Chief ExecutiveTony Weir, Chief Financial OfficerJulia Wilson, Head of Corporate Communication Brunswick Group +44 (0) 20 7404 5959 Jon ColesWendel Verbeek Notes to Editors About Apomorphine Apomorphine is a non-ergoline dopamine receptor agonist. Dopamine is animportant neurotransmitter in the basal ganglia structures of the brain, whichis key to producing smooth voluntary movement. Apomorphine has been marketed inEurope by Britannia Pharmaceuticals for a number of years as both a subcutaneousinjection and a continuous subcutaneous infusion using a small portable pump. About Britannia Founded in 1981 Britannia Pharmaceuticals Limited is a UK based pharmaceuticalcompany whose mission is to become a leading supplier of innovative products forniche medical conditions. The Company has pioneered new treatments for some ofthe world's most debilitating conditions including asthma, Parkinson's disease,drug addiction, erectile dysfunction and surgical adhesions. In addition tothese treatments, Britannia has also developed nasal and respiratory drugdelivery technologies that are applicable to a wide range of treatments. For further information about Britannia, please visit www.britannia-pharm.co.uk. About Vernalis Vernalis is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on products marketed tospecialist neurologists. The company has two marketed products, frovatriptan andApokyn(R), and a development pipeline focused on neurology and central nervoussystem disorders. The company has five products in clinical development andcollaborations with leading, global pharmaceutical companies including Novartis,Biogen Idec and Serono. Vernalis is establishing a US commercial operation topromote Apokyn(R) and co-promote frovatriptan alongside its North Americanlicensing partner, Endo Pharmaceuticals, propelling the company towards its goalof becoming a sustainable, self-funding, R&D-driven, specialty pharmaceuticalcompany. For further information about Vernalis, please visit www.vernalis.com. Safe Harbour statement: this news release may contain forward-looking statementsthat reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events.Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events coulddiffer materially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factorsincluding the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability ofthe discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion of clinicalstudies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the successfulintegration of completed mergers and acquisitions and achievement of expectedsynergies from such transactions, and the ability of the Company to identify andconsummate suitable strategic and business combination transactions. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange