RNS Number : 3838G
Vernalis PLC
22 October 2008
22 October 2008
Vernalis Bolsters Pipeline with Phase II -Ready Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidate
Winnersh, UK, 22 October 2008, Vernalis plc (LSE: VER) today announces that, following the
merger of Merck KGA and Serono, it has
regained all rights to a portfolio of compounds targeting the treatment of inflammatory
disease. These compounds were originally part of a
Licence, Development and Commercialization agreement between Vernalis and Serono.
The lead compound, V85546 (previously AS111793), is a selective MMP-12 inhibitor, has
successfully completed Phase I clinical testing
and is ready to start a Phase II programme. The compound is returned to Vernalis with a full
data package, which includes extensive
supporting pharmacology data for a broad range of indications, and is supported by an
extensive back up programme that includes a product
candidate undergoing pre-clinical development. V85546 could be developed for the treatment of
several inflammatory diseases including
including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
(ARDS) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Vernalis is determining the optimal Phase II development programme and intends to conduct
further development of V85546 under a new
collaborative agreement.
Peter Fellner, Vernalis' Executive Chairman, comments:
"V85546 adds a Phase II-ready product candidate with an impressive and extensive data
package to Vernalis' development pipeline. It has
potential in a range of poorly treated conditions and is an exciting new opportunity to
deliver value for the Company".
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Enquiries:
Vernalis plc +44 (0) 118 977 3133
Peter Fellner, Executive Chairman
Tony Weir, Chief Financial Officer
Brunswick Group +44 (0) 20 7404 5959
Jon Coles
Justine McIlroy
Notes to Editors
About Vernalis
Vernalis is a pharmaceutical company with one marketed product, Frova®, and six products
in clinical development and collaborations with
leading, global pharmaceutical companies including Novartis, Biogen Idec, Endo, Menarini and
Chiesi:
Product Indication Phase I Phase II Phase III Registration Market
Marketing Rights
Frova® Migraine X
Endo/Menarini
(Royalties)
Frova® Menstrual Migraine X
Endo/Menarini
(Royalties)
V1512 Parkinson's Disease X World
Wide (excl.
Italy)
V10153 Ischaemic Stroke X
Worldwide
V3381 Neuropathic Pain X
Worldwide
V2006 Parkinson's Disease X Biogen
Idec
(Milestone &
Royalties)
V85546 Inflammatory Disease X
Worldwide
V24343 Obesity/ X
Worldwide
Diabetes
AUY922 Cancer X
Novartis (Milestone
&
Royalties)
Hsp90-Oral Cancer
Novartis (Milestone
&
Royalties)
- Cancer Servier
(Milestone &
Royalties)
For further information about Vernalis, please visit www.vernalis.com.
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's
current expectations regarding future events
including the clinical development and regulatory clearance of the Company's products, the
Company's ability to find partners for the
development and commercialisation of its products, as well as the Company's future capital
raising activities. Forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially from those projected
herein and depend on a number of factors
including the success of the Company's research strategies, the applicability of the
discoveries made therein, the successful and timely
completion of clinical studies, the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the
ability of the Company to identify and agree
beneficial terms with suitable partners for the commercialisation and/or development of its
products, as well as the achievement of expected
synergies from such transactions, the acceptance of Frova® and other products by consumers
and medical professionals, the successful integration of completed mergers and acquisitions and
achievement of expected
synergies from such transactions, and the ability of the Company to identify and consummate
suitable strategic and business combination
transactions.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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