Business
Therapeutic Pipeline - in viv
Therapeutic Pipeline - in viv.
About this update from Valirx Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n RNS Number : 5538X ValiRx PLC 26 June 2008 \n \n26 June 2008\n\nValiRx plc\n\nPromising In Vivo Data for VAL 101 Compound - targets Pancreatic Cancer, based on GeneICE™ Gene Silencing Technology\n\n26 June 2008, London ….. ValiRx plc (AIM:VAL, 'ValiRx'), the cancer therapeutics and diagnostics company, has announced promising in vivo results for its lead molecule VAL 101 which uses its gene silencing technology GeneICE™ in preclinical xenograph models of pancreatic cancer. \n\nStudies showed that the tumour growth was less than half the size of that seen in the control group. \n\nBased on these results, the Company will now initiate further preclinical studies with the aim of progressing VAL 101 toward Phase I regulatory filing by initiating toxicology studies. The Company has also recently expanded its product portfolio with the development of a second GeneICE™ anti-cancer molecule.\n\nValiRx's GeneICE™ technology platform utilises the cells' own inherent gene control machinery to effectively silence genes involved in cancer cell progression, in the case of VAL 101, targeting the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2. These latest in vivo results follow on from studies earlier this year which provided evidence that GeneICE™ could trigger cell death in ovarian, pancreatic and prostate cancer cells. The application of GeneICE™ technology in both studies targeted the BCL-2 gene, which is often over-expressed in certain types of cancer and may lead to the development of chemotherapeutic cell-death resistance. \n\nThe Company's GeneICE™ technology platform recruits gene silencing factors known as Histone Deacetylase Complexes (HDACs) to genes involved in cancer cell progression, inhibiting their expression and activation. ValiRx is currently using the GeneICE™ platform to target other genes implicated in disease, including targets involved in neurological disease. \n\nCommenting on these results, CEO of ValiRx Dr. Satu Vainikka said: 'This first in vivo data provides further positive support for our GeneICE™ technology platform. By harnessing the cell's own inherent mechanisms of gene-silencing, we have shown this can be translated into tumour growth inhibition. GeneICE™ holds promi...