For immediate release: 0700hrs Monday 10 September 2007
VALIRX PLC
("ValiRx" or the "Company")
GeneICE - CRT Research Update
ValiRx (AIM: VAL), the cancer therapeutics company, is pleased to provide an
update on the research programme being conducted with Cancer Research
Technology Limited ("CRT"), on behalf of Cancer Research UK, on one of the
proprietary GeneICE compounds developed by the Company's subsidiary, Cronos
Therapeutics Ltd ("Cronos").
According to the initial results released to the Company by CRT, the GeneICE
compound appears to arrest the development and terminate the existence of
cancer cells, confirming earlier pre-clinical studies conducted by scientists
in other research centres. The CRT studies suggested that GeneICE drug
candidates targeted to Bcl-2* restored apoptosis in six cancer cell lines by
penetrating the walls of cancer cells and targeting the nucleus, leading to
cell death.
Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, added:
"The GeneICE technology is protected from a patent position and with continued
research, the relevance of the GeneICE technology to a range of cancer
therapeutic applications will only increase."
Dr Jake Micallef, COO of ValiRx, commented:
"We are delighted by the latest findings which enable us and CRT to take the
research activity on the GeneICE compound to its next stage of development."
--- ENDS---
Note to Editor:
* Bcl-2 is recognised as a validated key target for the development of future
cancer therapies.
Information on Cancer Research Technology Limited
CRT is a specialist technology transfer company which aims to develop new
discoveries in cancer research for the benefit of cancer patients. CRT is
wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer
research in the world. CRT works closely with leading international cancer
scientists and their institutes to protect intellectual property arising from
their research and to establish links with commercial partners. CRT facilitates
the discovery, development and marketing of new cancer therapeutics, vaccines,
diagnostics and enabling technologies. Further information about CRT can be
found at www.cancertechnology.com
Information on 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. Please visit www.valirx.com for
further information.
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 +44 (0) 20 7153 8035
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