New European patent allowance for VAL301

RNS Number : 4617H

ValiRx PLC

01 August 2019

 

VALIRX PLC

("ValiRx", the "Company" or the "Group")

EUROPEAN PATENT NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE FOR THERAPEUTIC COMPOUND, VAL301

London, UK., 01 August 2019: ValiRx Plc (AIM: VAL), the clinical stage biotechnology company, announces that the European Patent Office ("EPO") has issued a Patent Notice of Allowance for ValiRx's pre-clinical therapeutic compound, VAL301, subject to payment of the relevant fees.

The VAL301 compound is derived from ValiRx's lead compound, VAL201 and its potential therapeutic approach is based on the same mode of action.  VAL301 is currently in late-stage pre-clinical development (announced 17/07/18) as a non-invasive, effective treatment for the non-cancerous, but hugely debilitating gynaecological condition, endometriosis, which is characterised by endometrial-like tissue found outside of the uterine cavity.  The condition represents one of the major causes of female infertility.

The compound has been developed for the treatment of hormone-induced, non-oncological abnormal growth and cell proliferation conditions. These include indications for endometriosis and benign prostatic hyperplasia, for both of which there is substantial global unmet medical need.

This latest European patent allowance provides additional protection for ValiRx and the allowance in another of the world's populous regions follows on from ValiRx's earlier receipt last year of a US Patent Grant (announced 17/07/18) and the more recent Patent Allowances covering China and the Russian Federation (announced 31/01/19).

Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx plc, commented: "This is excellent news and I am delighted that the patent portfolio for our lead compounds continues to strengthen, add value and receive further endorsement.

The current list of Patent Grants and Allowances pertaining to the compounds, VAL301 and VAL201, are as follows:

VAL 301 - endometriosis

Country/Region	Patent number	Date filed	Granted/Allowed
Europe	EU 12840836.6	1 November 2012	Allowed
United States	US 10,023,612	1 November 2012	Granted
China	ZL2012800657582	1 November 2012	Granted
Russia	RU 2684315	1 November 2012	Granted
United Kingdom	GB 2496135	1 November 2011	Granted

VAL 201 - prostate cancer and metastatic prostate cancer

Country	Patent number	Date filed	Granted/Allowed
United States	US 14/888,214	30 April 2014	Allowed
United States	US 9,919,023	14 March 2008	Granted
Europe	EP 2139917	14 March 2008	Granted
Japan	JP 5998161	14 March 2008	Granted
Japan	JP 6456922	30 April 2014	Granted
Australia	AU 2008228274	14 March 2008	Granted
Japan	JP 6545122	14 March 2008	Granted

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

*** ENDS ***

For more information, please contact:

ValiRx plc	Tel: [phone] www.valirx.com
Dr Satu Vainikka, Chief Executive	Tel: [phone]
Tarquin Edwards, Head of Communications.	Tel: [phone] [e-mail]
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nominated Adviser) Liam Murray / Jo Turner / Ludovico Lazzaretti	Tel: [phone]
SVS Securities PLC (Joint Broker) Elliot Hance	Tel: [phone]
Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) Colin Rowbury	Tel: [phone]

Notes for Editors

About ValiRx

ValiRx is a biotechnology oncology focused company specialising in developing novel treatments for cancer and associated biomarkers.  It aims to make a significant contribution in "precision" medicine and science, namely to engineer a breakthrough into human health and well-being, through the early detection of cancer and its therapeutic intervention.

The Company's business model focuses on out-licensing therapeutic candidates early in the development process.  By aiming for early-stage value creation, the company reduces risk considerably while increasing the potential for realising value.  The group is already in licensing discussions with major players in the oncology field.

ValiRx's two classes of drugs in development, which each have the potential for meeting hitherto unmet medical needs by existing methods, have worldwide patent filings and agreed commercial rights.   They originate or derive from World class institutions, such as Cancer Research UK and Imperial College.

Until recently, cancer treatments relied on non-specific agents, such as chemotherapy.  With the development of target-based agents, primed to attack cancer cells only, less toxic and more effective treatments are now possible.  New drugs in this group-such as those in ValiRx's pipeline-promise to greatly improve outcomes for cancer patients.

The Company listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange in October 2006 and trades under the ticker symbol: VAL.

 

END

 

 

MSCRBMRTMBAJBTL