VAL201 Update re: Breast Cancer Study
• VAL201 recently shown to inhibit hormone dependent breast
cancer tumour growth following success at significantly inhibiting
tumour cell proliferation in prostate cancer
• VAL201’s potential clinical candidate pipeline and
portfolio continues to grow
ValiRx Plc (AIM: VAL), a life science company with a focus on
cancer diagnostics and therapeutics for personalised medicine, is
pleased to report encouraging findings following a recent early
stage breast cancer study of VAL201, which showed positive
inhibition of hormone dependent breast cancer tumour growth in a
dose dependent manner.
This promising study follows on from ValiRx’s announcement on
29 May 2012 regarding VAL201’s effectiveness against prostate
cancer, endometriosis and the spread of secondary cancer tumours or
metastasis.
Studieshave shown that the compound significantly inhibits the
proliferation of aggressive tumours and that VAL201 decreases the
spread and development of secondary tumours by up to 50 per cent.
at projected therapeutic doses.
Patients with breast or prostate cancer typically develop
metastasis or the spread of that cancer into other organs as
secondary tumours and almost all patients going through the
end-stage of cancer experience this proliferation of cancer cells
into other organs or areas of the body. Breast cancer typically
spreads to the bone and lung and liver organs.
Even if the primarytumour is successfully treated, the disease can
often have spread already and treatment to combat this metastatic
spread is crucial for both patient survival and quality of
life.
This new indication has shown a positive effect in the estrogen
pathway in women, demonstrating good potential for the development
of ovarian and breast cancer therapeutics and it builds on
ValiRx’s agreement with Oxford University in April 2011, to
accelerate the development of VAL201. It adds to the Company's
potential clinical candidate pipeline and portfolio and the results
from this study are compatible with the previous findings of
earlier studies.
The original patent and technology covering VAL201 is licensed by
ValiRx from Cancer Research Technology (“CRT”) for use
in androgen resistant cancer. ValiRx has all the rights for
performing pre-clinical and clinical developments and obtaining
regulatory approvals in all territories. ValiRx also has full,
worldwide rights and control over the commercialisation and
development of potential treatments.
Breast cancer accounts for about 10% of cancers worldwide and the
market size is expected to reach $11.2 billion by 2016 (BCC
Research, Report code: HLC106A, June 2012). This scope therefore
offers exciting and enhancing opportunities for the market
expansion of novel drugs that focus on improved safety and
efficacy.
ValiRx is pleased to report that it continues to further advance
the regulatory filing process towards a phase I clinical trial
application for VAL201 with the relevant regulatory bodies in the
UK and Europe.
Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO, commented: “Tests conducted by
Pharmatest, our Finnish-based research centre and biomarkers
business unit, have been highly encouraging. I am delighted to see
across the division that cross-marketing opportunities are already
being captured. Pharmatest has extensive experience in preclinical
efficacy services in the cancer field and we have every confidence
in the successful progression of VAL201 towards clinical
trials.
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
ValiRx plc Tel: +44 (0) 20 3008 4416
Dr Satu Vainikka www.ValiRx.com
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nominated Adviser) Tel:+44 (0) 20
7148 7900
Liam Murray / Avi Robinson
Hybridan LLP (Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7947 4350
Claire Noyce / Deepak Reddy
Peckwater PR Tel: +44 (0)7879 458 364
Tarquin Edwards tarquin.edwards@peckwaterpr.co.uk
Notes for Editors
ValiRx Plc
ValiRx Plc is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel
technologies and products in oncology therapeutics and diagnostics.
The product focus is in the epigenomic analysis and treatment of
cancer, but the technologies can be applied to other fields as
well, such as neurology and inflammatory diseases.
The Company listed on AIM in October 2006 and is creating a
portfolio of innovative products through investment in specific
development projects. It actively manages projects within this
portfolio as a trading company and is not an investment vehicle.
The ValiRxbusiness model spreads the risks of life science
technology developments byminimising financial exposure and running
a set of projects to defined commercial endpoints. This maximises
returns to shareholders by adding value at the earlier stages where
value increases per investment unit are the greatest.
The Company operates through the following divisional
companies:
• ValiFinn is the biomarkers and diagnostic development
division
• ValiMedix is the sales and distribution division of
ValiRx
• ValiPharma is the therapeutics division with two
embeddedtechnologies primarily directed at the treatment of
cancers.
Posted: September 2012
