ValiRx PLC GeneICE & VAL101 Update (0317Q)
September 07 2017 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMVAL
RNS Number : 0317Q
ValiRx PLC
07 September 2017
ValiRx Plc
("ValiRx" or the "Company")
GENEICE & VAL101 UPDATE
"Successful optimisation of VAL101 for improved commercial
production"
"Acceleration of pre-clinical studies"
London, UK., 07 September 2017: ValiRx Plc (AIM: VAL), the
clinical stage biotechnology company, is pleased to report on a
period of continued good progress in the development of its GeneICE
technology platform ("GeneICE" or "Gene inactivation by chromatin
engineering"), in which "rebellious genes", which cause problems
such as cancer and potentially some neurological problems, are shut
down or "put on ice".
ValiRx has a world-wide exclusive license from Imperial College
for the GeneICE technology and for any resulting products, in
addition to newly generated intellectual property rights.
ValiRx is leading a consortium conducting the studies, with
other internationally respected partners including Deutsche
Krebsforschungzentrum and the Institute of Oncology in Heidelberg,
Pharmatest Services Limited, a specialist CRO in Finland and with
other academic and commercial associates. The consortium has been
in receipt of two prestigious Eurostars Grants in the past number
of years. The first grant of EUR1.4 million was to further develop
the GeneICE platform. The second grant for up to EUR1.6 million was
to be used to progress the pre-clinical studies of VAL101, the
Company's lead candidate, which derived from the GeneICE platform
and to build the associated cancer models.
Work to generate a commercially viable molecular structure for
VAL101 has been ongoing and pre-clinical studies of its first
generation showed that whilst the molecule worked and that Bcl-2,
the gene associated with cancer, was seen to reduce and that cancer
cell death occurred, the molecule's structure and manufacture
however required optimisation for commercial production.
ValiRx is now pleased to report much improved technical efficacy
and commercially viable efficient manufacturing and that
preliminary results for the optimised second generation of the
VAL101 molecule are demonstrating gene silencing levels that are
similar to the original structure. As such, ValiRx will accelerate
VAL101's late pre-clinical studies in preparation for the
compound's entry into the clinic.
Dr Satu Vainikka, Chief Executive Officer of ValiRx, commented:
"We at ValiRx along with our partners are very excited about the
potential of the GeneICE platform technology and we are delighted
to be able to show the successful optimisation and production of
any molecule from this platform".
"We look forward to further developments and encouraging
announcements in due course".
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.
*** ENDS ***
For more information, please contact:
ValiRx plc Tel: +44 (0) 20
3008 4416
www.valirx.com
Dr Satu Vainikka, Chief Executive Tel: +44 (0) 20
3008 4416
Tarquin Edwards, Head of Communications. Tel: +44 (0) 7879
458 364
tarquin.edwards@valirx.com
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP Tel: +44 (0) 20
(Nominated Adviser) 7213 0880
Liam Murray/Jo Turner/Richard
Nash
Beaufort Securities Limited Tel: +44 (0) 207
(Broker) 382 8300
Jon Belliss
Notes for Editors
GeneICE Platform
GeneICE (Gene Inactivation by Chromatin Engineering) is a novel
proprietary gene silencing platform for the efficient silencing of
targeted genes. This technology is based on natural mechanisms and
has the potential to halt and reverse tumour growth. ValiRx has
attracted two Eurostars grants, a European grant scheme of EUR1.6m
each, for further development of its GeneICE technology
platform.
GeneICE mimicks a natural process in cells to silence genes. The
technology acts upstream of the gene expression, potentially
enabling a better inhibition compared to existing therapeutics
acting at the protein or post-transcriptional levels.
About ValiRx
ValiRx is a biotechnology oncology focused company specialising
in developing novel treatments for cancer and associated
biomarkers. It aims to make a significant contribution in
"precision" medicine and science, namely to engineer a breakthrough
into human health and well-being, through the early detection of
cancer and its therapeutic intervention.
The Company's business model focuses on out-licensing
therapeutic candidates early in the development process. By aiming
for early-stage value creation, the company reduces risk
considerably while increasing the potential for realising value.
The group is already in licensing discussions with major players in
the oncology field.
ValiRx's two classes of drugs in development, which each have
the potential for meeting hitherto unmet medical needs by existing
methods, have worldwide patent filings and agreed commercial
rights. They originate or derive from Word class institutions, such
as Cancer Research UK and Imperial College.
Until recently, cancer treatments relied on non-specific agents,
such as chemotherapy. With the development of target-based agents,
primed to attack cancer cells only, less toxic and more effective
treatments are now possible. New drugs in this group-such as those
in ValiRx's pipeline-promise to greatly improve outcomes for cancer
patients.
The Company listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock
Exchange in October 2006 and trades under the ticker symbol:
VAL.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCSSWFIMFWSELU
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 07, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Valirx (LSE:VAL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Valirx (LSE:VAL)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024