Strengthens Patent Position

13 Jul 2006 09:00

VASTox plc13 July 2006 VASTOX STRENGTHENS GLOBAL PATENT POSITION IN DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY Oxford, UK, 13 July 2006 - VASTox (AIM: VOX), a leading chemical genomicscompany, announces today that the Australian Patent Office has granted awide-ranging patent (number 783950) relating to the application of VASTox' novelapproach to the development of therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).This patent has already been granted in the US and EU. The approach VASTox usesis to identify and develop small molecule drugs that up-regulate (increase) theproduction of a protein called utrophin to compensate for dystrophin, which islacking in DMD patients. DMD is the company's most advanced drug development programme. Recently, theEuropean Medicines Agency (EMEA) recommended awarding orphan drug designationfor the company's lead candidate and in February this year, VASTox raised£10.45m in a placing to accelerate the development of its DMD therapeuticprogramme. Steven Lee, PhD, CEO of VASTox said: "A key strategic objective for VASTox is tofully protect its intellectual property relating to its novel chemical genomicstechnologies thereby enabling the company to capture the value created by theirapplication in drug discovery and development programmes. This new patent, whichrelates to the mechanism of utrophin up-regulation, is essential at the earlystage of drug discovery. It adds to patents already granted in the US and EUthereby reinforcing our global patent portfolio in DMD." About VASTox's DMD programme DMD is a devastating disease that affects young males for which there iscurrently no effective treatment. Patients rarely survive beyond the age of 25. VASTox has demonstrated in vivo up-regulation (increased production) of theprotein utrophin by a number of small molecules from their proprietary chemicallibrary. This is a significant development as utrophin has been demonstrated toreplace the function of dystrophin, which is missing in DMD patients.Up-regulation of utrophin is widely viewed by the scientific community as ahighly promising avenue for the development of an effective treatment for DMD. - ends - For more information please contact: VASTox Steven Lee, PhD, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +44 (0)1235 443910Darren Millington, Chief Financial Officer Citigate Dewe Rogerson Tel: +44 (0)207 638 9571David Dible / Mark Swallow / Valerie Auffray About VASTox plc VASTox is a chemical genomics technology company that discovers and developsproprietary novel drugs and provides services to the pharmaceutical industry.The company's most advanced drug development programme is focused on developinga new treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy based on the up-regulation ofutrophin. A second drug development programme for spinal muscular atrophy isalso progressing rapidly. VASTox has three additional programmes focused onosteoarthritis, cancer and tuberculosis that are expected to be out-licensedprior to entering the clinic. The company's technology platform, which uses zebrafish and fruitflies, has thepotential to dramatically decrease the time and cost of drug discovery anddevelopment. This is because using whole organisms allows it to carry out highvolume, high content screening that delivers data which is highly predictive ofthe efficacy and toxicity of potential drug compounds in humans. VASTox isgrowing revenues based on marketing its unique technology platform and itschemistry expertise. The company listed on the AIM market of the London StockExchange in October 2004. Further information about the company is available at vastox.com This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of theU.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-lookingstatements can be identified by words such as "anticipates", "intends", "plans","seeks", "believes", "estimates", "expects" and similar references to futureperiods, or by the inclusion of forecasts or projections. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations andassumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions.Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, by their nature, theyare subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances thatare difficult to predict. The Company's actual results may differ materiallyfrom those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. The Company cautionsyou therefore that you should not rely on any of these forward-lookingstatements as statements of historical fact or as guarantees or assurances offuture performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differmaterially from those in the forward-looking statements include (factorsincluded in this presentation) and regional, national, global political,economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange