Research & Development Update

For immediate release: 18th April 2007

                                  VALIRX PLC                                   

                                  ("ValiRx")                                   

                         Research & Development Update                         

ValiRx (AIM: VAL), the cancer therapeutics company, today announces that its
subsidiary company, Cronos Therapeutics Ltd ("Cronos"), together with ATDBio
Ltd ("ATDBio") have completed their initial experiments involving GeneICE - the
gene-silencing technology.

The experiments involved investigating the chemical binding of the GeneICE drug
currently in development with Cancer Research Technology Limited to its
predicted genetic DNA sequence target by `DNA triplex formation'. The results
confirmed that the GeneICE drug binds to its predicted genetic target under
model physiological conditions..

The work was undertaken using a novel chemistry invented and developed by Tom
Brown, Professor of Bio-organic Chemistry and Head of Synthetic Chemistry at
the University of Southampton and co-founder of ATDBio. Professor Brown is a
leading expert in `DNA triplex formation' and new methods of nucleic acid
sequence recognition, mispairing and mutagenesis in DNA and the application of
nucleic acid chemistry in genetic analysis and nanotechnology.

Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, commented:

"This is a big step forward in providing independent chemical confirmation of
our predicted mode of action for GeneICE drugs and further chemistry
development and molecular design is now being carried out with Professor Brown
and ATDBio."

Professor Tom Brown of the University of Southampton, added:

"The mode of action is an important aspect of the regulatory requirements to
which these drugs will be subject and these results will provide invaluable
support for their timely advance through the regulatory process."

                                  --- ENDS---                                  

Notes to Editors:

Cronos' GeneICE technology enables the selective silencing of specific genes in
humans and animals by targeted histone deacetylation leading to chromatin
condensation.

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.
   
For more information, please go to: www.valirx.com

Information on ATDBio Ltd

ATDBio is an independent company operating from the School of Chemistry at
Southampton University. It has an interest in all aspects of oligonucleotide
synthesis and its aim is to deliver high quality products based on a deep
understanding of the chemistry of modified oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide
analogues.

For more information, please go to: www.atdbio.com

Contact Details:

    ValiRx Plc        WH Ireland       University of      GTH Communications   
                                        Southampton                            
                                                                               
 Dr Satu Vainikka   David Youngman     Professor Tom       Toby Hall / Jade    
                                           Brown              Mamarbachi       
                                                                               
 [phone]    [phone]  [phone]     [phone]  
       5400              2174        778