Vernalis PLC Regulatory News (VER)

15 May 2006 07:00

Vernalis PLC15 May 2006 15 May 2006 Vernalis plc to Ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell on May 18, 2006 Company Celebrates Significant Clinical Milestone WINNERSH, U.K., May 15, 2006 -- Vernalis plc (LSE: VER, Nasdaq: VNLS) todayannounced that Simon Sturge, Chief Executive Officer, will preside over theringing of the NASDAQ closing bell on Thursday, May 18th at 4:00 p.m. (ET).Vernalis, whose ADR shares began trading on NASDAQ in July 1992, is celebratingthe positive outcome of the Company's second Phase III efficacy study of Frova(R) (frovatriptan succinate) 2.5 mg tablets for the short-term (six-days permonth) prevention of migraine in patients with migraines related to theirmenstrual cycles. The data from this study corroborate the positive findings ina prior efficacy study published in Neurology in July 2004 (ref: 2004, 63:261-269). Vernalis is a specialty bio-pharmaceutical and drug development company with twomarketed products and a broad development pipeline focused on neurology andcentral nervous system disorders. Vernalis' US partner, Endo PharmaceuticalsInc., expects to file a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) with the U.S.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the coming weeks to seek approval for theadditional indication of Frova(R) for the prevention of menstrual migraine.Frova(R) is currently FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine attackswith or without aura in adults where a clear diagnosis of migraine has beenestablished. About the NASDAQ Closing BellThe NASDAQ Stock Market rings the closing bell at 4 p.m. and the ceremony willbe available for viewing through NASDAQ's web cam: http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/marketsite_about.stm to watch the ceremony, beginning at 3:50 p.m.Viewers can scroll to the bottom of the page to access the MarketSite Live Webcam link. Windows Media Player is necessary to view the web cam. Local television stations may pick up the feed of the ceremony. The closing bellis available from 3:50 to 4:05 p.m. on uplink IA-6 C-band/transponder 17. Thedownlink frequency is 4040 Vertical; Audio 6.2-6.8. The feed can also be foundon Waterfront fiber 1623. About VernalisVernalis is a speciality bio-pharmaceutical company focused on products marketedto specialist neurologists. The company has two marketed products, Frova(R) andApokyn(R), and a development pipeline focused on neurology and central nervoussystem disorders. The company has seven products in clinical development andcollaborations with leading, global pharmaceutical companies including Novartis,Biogen Idec and Serono. Vernalis has established a US commercial operation topromote Apokyn(R) and co-promote Frova(R) alongside its North American licensingpartner, Endo Pharmaceuticals, propelling the company towards its goal ofbecoming a sustainable, self-funding, R&D-driven, speciality bio-pharmaceuticalcompany. For further information about Vernalis, please visit www.vernalis.com. -- ends -- Enquiries: Vernalis plc +44 (0) 118 977 3133Simon Sturge, Chief Executive OfficerTony Weir, Chief Financial OfficerJulia Wilson, Head of Corporate Communications Brunswick Group +44 (0) 20 7404 5959Jon ColesWendel Verbeek Lazar Partners LtdGregory Gin 212-867-1762 Vernalis Forward-Looking Statement This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect theCompany's current expectations regarding future events including the clinicaldevelopment and regulatory clearance of the Company's products and includingthat of Frova(R) for menstrual migraine, the Company's ability to find partnersfor the development and commercialisation of its products, the benefits ofre-acquiring Frova(R) in North America and the partnership with Endo on theCompany's liquidity and results of operations, as well as the Company's futurecapital raising activities. Forward-looking statements involve risks anduncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected hereinand depend on a number of factors including the success of the Company'sresearch strategies, the applicability of the discoveries made therein, thesuccessful and timely completion of clinical studies, including with respect toFrova(R) and the Company's other products, the uncertainties related to theregulatory process, the ability of the Company to identify and agree beneficialterms with suitable partners for the commercialisation and/or development ofFrova(R) and other products, as well as the achievement of expected synergiesfrom such transactions, the acceptance of Frova(R) and other products byconsumers and medical professionals, the successful integration of completedmergers and acquisitions and achievement of expected synergies from suchtransactions, and the ability of the Company to identify and consummate suitablestrategic and business combination transactions. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange