For immediate release - 7.00am, 12th November 2007
ValiRx Plc
("ValiRx")
European Technology Patent for Nucleosomics
ValiRx (AIM: VAL), the cancer therapeutics company, today announces that
following the announcement on 15 October 2007 regarding the signing of a full
license agreement with Chroma Therapeutics Ltd ("Chroma") to commercialise
Nucleosomics1, a non-invasive diagnostic technology patent developed by Chroma,
ValiRx has been allowed the European patent for its Nucleosomics technology
patent application.
Nucleosomics complements ValiRx's existing cancer diagnostics technology,
HyperGenomics.2 Together these create a non-invasive, mass screening, cancer
diagnostics package with the potential to deliver early stage diagnosis,
specific diagnosis, prognosis, evaluation and therapeutic strategy. The ongoing
testing and development of the Nucleosomics technology will be carried out by
ValiBIO S.A., ValiRx's recently formed Belgium subsidiary; where research will
also be undertaken to develop Nucleosomics as a specific marker for specific
cancers.
Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, commented:
"We are delighted to have received this European patent. It further strengthens
the position of our interlinked suite of oncology related diagnostic
technologies against a background of strong growth in the oncology diagnostic
market."
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Notes to editor
1. NucleosomicsTM
Nucleosomics is a non-invasive (blood) test for early cancer diagnosis based on
epigenetic signal changes associated with malignancy.
The control of gene expression is determined by a number of different
epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Paramount amongst these is the chromatin
environment surrounding the gene and key covalent modifications (including
acetylation, methylation, phosphorilation and others) to the histone proteins
associated with the nucleosomes of the gene. This is often referred to as the
histone code.
Disruption of the normal histone code is associated with aberrant gene
expression and malignant transformation and these alterations are the basis of
Nucleosomics.
Nucleosomics is non-invasive. Intact nucleosomes derived from tumour chromatin
are found in the blood of cancer patients, but not in healthy individuals.
These cell-free nucleosomes can be analysed for histone code modifications. The
presence in the blood of nucleosomes associated with particular histone
modifications and/or gene sequences can therefore be used to diagnose the
particular cancer.
2. HyperGenomics
Developed by Chronos Therapeutics, the HyperGenomics technology characterises
cancerous and normal cells by mapping the open areas of chromatin on a
chromosome using a patented PCR-based method.
About ValiRx plc
ValiRx is a biopharmaceutical development company that is building a portfolio
of complementary cancer-related therapeutic and diagnostic technologies. It
currently holds stakes in Cronos and Morphogenesis Inc;
* Cronos holds licenses to two innovative and potentially market changing
technologies, GeneICE and HyperGenomics;
* Morphogenesis Inc. is developing a portfolio of cell therapy products for
the treatment of chronic disorders. Its most advanced product, being
ImmuneFxâ„¢ for which it recently received a patent from the US patent
office.
ValiRx is headquartered in London, England. Further information can be found at
www.valirx.com
Contact Details:
ValiRx Plc WH Ireland GTH Communications
Dr Satu Vainikka David Youngman Toby Hall / Jade Mamarbachi
+44 (0) 203 008 4416 +44 (0) 161 832 2174 +44 (0) 20 7153 8035