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22 Jan 2007 07:00
Verona Pharma plc ("Verona Pharma" or the "Company")
Verona Pharma Engages Onyx Scientific to Manufacture RPL554 for Preclinical (Toxicology) and Clinical Studies
Verona Pharma (AIM:VRP), the life sciences company developing new drug treatments for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and other chronic respiratory and inflammatory diseases, is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with Onyx Scientific Limited of Sunderland, UK to synthesise the required amounts of RPL554 for projected preclinical and clinical studies. Manufacturing work has already begun and delivery is anticipated in April of this year. Onyx Scientific operates to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines and its GMP systems are approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Dr. Michael Walker, the CEO of Verona Pharma, commented that "Onyx Scientific has an excellent team of chemists who are committed to meeting Verona Pharma's quality standards and timelines".
RPL554 is a novel long-acting inhibitor of both phosphodiesterase 3 and phosphodiesterase 4 enzymes, two enzymes known to be of importance in the development and progression of immunological respiratory diseases, particularly rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma. Rhinitis and asthma are among the most prevalent respiratory tract diseases in the industrialised world. The market for the drugs used to treat these diseases is estimated to be about US$20 billion. At this time, Verona Pharma is focused on exploiting an unmet medical need in this market since many of the available treatments are limited by unwanted side effects or limited effectiveness.
For further information: Verona Pharma plcProfessor Clive Page, Chairman 07971 504 931www.veronapharma.com Hanson Westhouse LimitedTim Feather / Matthew Johnson 0113 246 2610 Notes for Editors: About Verona Pharma plc
Verona Pharma plc is an AIM-listed drug discovery company that is focused on finding new therapeutic drugs for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and other chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as chronic inflammatory diseases. The Company is currently developing a long-acting bronchodilator/ anti-inflammatory drug (belonging to a class of drugs known as mixed phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3/4 inhibitors) that could be rapidly brought to clinical proof-of-concept for the treatment of hay fever and be subsequently developed for the treatment of asthma. Verona Pharma is also exploiting novel polysaccharides as potential anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of respiratory allergies, asthma and other inflammatory diseases.
About Onyx Scientific Ltd.
Onyx Scientific Ltd is a private chemistry outsourcing company that supplies a diverse array of chemistry services to the pharmaceutical industry, including lead optimisation, process development and scale up synthesis according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). It has more than 40 scientists in drug development from medicinal chemistry to early stage GMP production and its GMP systems are MHRA approved. Further information about Onyx Scientific can be found at their website: http://www.onyx-scientific.com.
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