Business
Research & Development Update
Research & Development Update.
About this update from Valirx Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nFor immediate release: 18th April 2007\n\n VALIRX PLC \n\n (\"ValiRx\") \n\n Research & Development Update \n\nValiRx (AIM: VAL), the cancer therapeutics company, today announces that its\nsubsidiary company, Cronos Therapeutics Ltd (\"Cronos\"), together with ATDBio\nLtd (\"ATDBio\") have completed their initial experiments involving GeneICE - the\ngene-silencing technology.\n\nThe experiments involved investigating the chemical binding of the GeneICE drug\ncurrently in development with Cancer Research Technology Limited to its\npredicted genetic DNA sequence target by `DNA triplex formation'. The results\nconfirmed that the GeneICE drug binds to its predicted genetic target under\nmodel physiological conditions..\n\nThe work was undertaken using a novel chemistry invented and developed by Tom\nBrown, Professor of Bio-organic Chemistry and Head of Synthetic Chemistry at\nthe University of Southampton and co-founder of ATDBio. Professor Brown is a\nleading expert in `DNA triplex formation' and new methods of nucleic acid\nsequence recognition, mispairing and mutagenesis in DNA and the application of\nnucleic acid chemistry in genetic analysis and nanotechnology.\n\nDr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, commented:\n\n\"This is a big step forward in providing independent chemical confirmation of\nour predicted mode of action for GeneICE drugs and further chemistry\ndevelopment and molecular design is now being carried out with Professor Brown\nand ATDBio.\"\n\nProfessor Tom Brown of the University of Southampton, added:\n\n\"The mode of action is an important aspect of the regulatory requirements to\nwhich these drugs will be subject and these results will provide invaluable\nsupport for their timely advance through the regulatory process.\"\n\n --- ENDS--- \n\nNotes to Editors:\n\nCronos' GeneICE technology enables the selective silencing of specific genes in\nhumans and animals by targeted histone deacetylation leading to chromatin\ncondensation.\n\nInformation on ValiRx Plc\n\nValiRx is a biopharmaceutical development company that is building a portfolio\nof complementary cancer-related therapeutic and diagnostic technologies. It\ncurrently holds stakes in Cronos and Morphogenesis Inc;\n\n * Cronos holds licenses to two innovative and potentially market changing\n technologies, GeneICE and HyperGenomics;\n \n * Morphogenesi...