N4 Pharma PLC Results of latest nuvec pre-clinical study (8341V)
November 08 2017 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMN4P
RNS Number : 8341V
N4 Pharma PLC
08 November 2017
08 November 2017
N4 Pharma Plc
("N4 Pharma" or the "Company")
Results of latest nuvec(R) pre-clinical study
N4 Pharma Plc (AIM: N4P), a specialist pharmaceutical company
which reformulates existing drugs and vaccines to improve their
performance, announces the results of the latest study it has
conducted for its nuvec(R) silica nanoparticles ("SiNPs") delivery
system.
As well as investigating tolerability, the objective of this
study (funded via a biomedical Catalyst Grant) was to determine the
in-vivo capacity for the Company's SiNPs to deliver DNA to generate
local expression of a protein. This is a key indicator as to
whether a vaccine delivery system is likely to successfully
generate an immune response. The Company completed two tests in
this study, the first was an injection directly into a cancerous
tumour and the second was a subcutaneous injection; two routes of
administration typically used for vaccination.
In conclusion, a single injection of the SiNPs is effective in
delivering DNA to generate localised protein expression at the site
of the injection and draining lymph nodes and release cytokines
into the systemic circulation. These are all crucial elements for
successful cancer therapy treatment. No tolerability issues were
encountered for the duration of the study.
Following these results, further in-vivo studies will be
conducted to demonstrate the capability of the Company's SiNPs to
deliver specific antigens to promote an adaptive immune response
(i.e. as a vaccine) or to deliver functional proteins that can have
a biological effect and to undertake comparison studies showing how
the Company's SiNPs compare to lipid nanoparticles, which are
widely used as delivery systems for cancer vaccines and
therapies.
Nigel Theobald, CEO of N4 Pharma, commented:
"As well as preparing to take our sildenafil reformulation into
clinic, we have been scoping out the potential for our nuvec(R)
delivery system and continue to make encouraging progress
demonstrating its capability. This signifies another prominent step
forward on the road to commercialising nuvec(R) .
We now have evidence that our SiNPs have many desirable features
for use in either a vaccine approach or to deliver therapeutic
proteins to tissues and are uncovering key commercial advantages
compared to lipid nanoparticles. This increases the scope of
nuvec's(R) application which in turn enhances the value of the
technology to potential commercial partners.
The value of the global nanotechnology drug delivery market is
forecast to grow from $4.1 billion in 2014 to $11.9 billion in
2023*.
As nuvec(R) continues to meet its technical targets, it becomes
very clear that we have the potential to become a significant
player in this growing market. We will continue its development to
determine how best to compete and to take the technology
forward."
* source: Transparency Market Research July 2014
Enquiries:
N4 Pharma Plc
Nigel Theobald, Via Alma PR
CEO,
Stockdale Securities Tel: +44(0)207 601
Tom Griffiths 6100
Beaufort Securities Tel: +44(0)207 382
Elliot Hance 8300
Alma PR
Josh Royston Tel: +44(0)778 090
Robyn Fisher 1979
Tel: +44(0)754 070
6191
About N4 Pharma
N4 Pharma is a specialist pharmaceutical company which
reformulates existing drugs and vaccines to improve their
performance.
N4 Pharma's reformulation work falls under two divisions:
-- generic, already commercialised, drugs; and
-- delivery of novel and existing vaccines.
N4 Pharma has identified a number of established drugs that
could be improved upon through its reformulation techniques. N4
Pharma's most advanced reformulation is for sildenafil, widely
marketed as Viagra, where N4 Pharma is seeking to improve the speed
at which the drug takes effect whilst also extending its duration
of action.
N4 Pharma's reformulation approach should take approximately
three years to obtain regulatory approval as opposed to the
traditional process for new drugs of on average ten years. The cost
and risk profile of this model is also significantly less than the
traditional process. N4 Pharma's business model for generics is to
take reformulated drugs from its portfolio through to the stage
where it will license its newly reformulated drugs to
pharmaceutical companies to commercialise them. N4 Pharma's
revenues should be derived from up front milestone and royalty
payments associated with the licence.
N4 Pharma's business model for vaccines is to undertake the
required clinical work to demonstrate the capability of its
delivery system as a cancer vaccine or therapeutic treatment so
that it can license the technology to major players developing
treatments in this area, again in return for up front milestone and
royalty payments associated with the licence.
Glossary
Silica nanoparticles Small manufactured structures,
(SiNPs) measured in a narrow size range
of nanometres, that are derived
from silicon.
--------------------- ----------------------------------------
Cytokines Cytokines are cell signalling
molecules that aid cell to cell
communication in immune responses
and stimulate the movement of
cells towards sites of inflammation,
infection and trauma.
--------------------- ----------------------------------------
Antigen An antigen is any substance that
causes your immune system to
produce antibodies against it.
This means your immune system
does not recognize the substance,
and is trying to fight it off.
--------------------- ----------------------------------------
Lipid nanoparticles Lipid nanoparticles are small
particles, measured in nanometres,
formed through either the complexation
or encapsulation of nucleic acids
with cationic lipids.
--------------------- ----------------------------------------
Subcutaneous A subcutaneous injection is a
injection method of administering medication.
Subcutaneous means under the
skin. In this type of injection,
a short needle is used to inject
a drug into the tissue layer
between the skin and the muscle.
Medication given this way is
usually absorbed more slowly
than if injected into a vein,
sometimes over a period of 24
hours.
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This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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