Novocellus Update
Angle PLC
31 January 2007
For Immediate Release 31 January 2007
ANGLE plc
('ANGLE' or 'the Company')
NOVOCELLUS UPDATE
ANGLE plc, the venture management and consulting company specialising in the
commercialisation of technology and the development of technology-based
industry, is pleased to update shareholders on the progress of Novocellus
Limited, one of its venture companies.
Novocellus was established by ANGLE in 2004, under its Progeny(R) programme
through a collaboration agreement with the University of York. The company is
commercialising a clinical diagnostic test developed by Professor Henry Leese at
the University of York (UoY), which it is anticipated will, for the first time,
enable the selection of only the most viable pre-implantation human embryos for
use in in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
Currently, the selection of embryos for transfer back to the uterus involves a
subjective visual assessment of embryo quality and thus viability. This
selection technique achieves modest pregnancy and live birth rates (c.22 per
cent.). In mitigation of the low 'success' rate, many embryologists feel it
necessary to transfer at least two embryos at a time. This practice results in a
significant percentage of multiple births and a corresponding and unacceptably
high incidence of perinatal mortality and serious birth defects, both major
drivers of the growing trend towards single embryo transfer(SET)
It is estimated that about 900,000 fresh IVF cycles are performed worldwide each
year and that this number is increasing at an estimated rate of 15 per cent. per
annum. At this growth, the annual number of IVF cycles will increase to around
1.3 million by 2010. It is estimated that the worldwide revenue opportunity for
Novocellus' product is as much as $1 billion per annum.
To prove its technology and develop a marketable product, Novocellus has been
undertaking a major clinical study. This retrospective clinical study, currently
taking place in Leeds General Infirmary and St Mary's Hospital Manchester, began
in Spring 2006. Patient recruitment and throughput in both sites has been slower
than had been hoped and to address these a third hospital, the Liverpool Women's
Hospital, which is one of the UK's largest IVF centres, has now been formally
introduced to the study programme.
Novocellus has also faced challenges with the procurement of the Novocellus
medium used for the culturing of embryos in IVF treatment, which led to a
temporary suspension of the study. These challenges have now been resolved and
Novocellus is in advanced discussions with a leading global specialist supplier
of IVF media, to supply the medium going forward.
While the clinical study has not yet been completed, Novocellus has carried out
a statistical analysis of the data gathered so far. Further progress with the
study will be necessary for statistical significance, nevertheless the interim
data broadly confirms the findings of the initial pilot study: that amino acid
profiling ('AAP') is predictive of embryo viability and clinical pregnancy. As
such it represents a further data point and adds to our confidence in AAP as a
diagnostic technique. It is hoped that Novocellus' technology will improve
current IVF rates by at least a third which will facilitate the move to routine
single embryo transfer and thereby the prevention of unwanted multiple births.
The next step for Novocellus, assuming successful completion of the current
study, will be to demonstrate the effectiveness of AAP technology prospectively
in a full clinical trial. This will take place in a single embryo transfer (SET)
environment, most probably Scandinavia. This in turn would position Novocellus
to deliver significant payments in 2008 from a licensing deal with a major
medical diagnostics provider, a number of whom have already expressed initial
interest in AAP and Novocellus.
This announcement is made in conjunction with the interim results of ANGLE plc,
which were also announced today.
Bob Hanley, COO of Novocellus said:
'We are delighted that the interim analysis provides further evidence of the
effectiveness of Novocellus' AAP technology to predict embryo viability. The
next milestone will be completion of the current clinical study and initiation
of the prospective clinical trial in SET'
Andrew Newland, Chief Executive of ANGLE plc said:
'Novocellus has a unique product with the potential to address a major market
need. The sooner it is available in the market the better.'
For further information:
ANGLE plc 01483 295830
Andrew Newland, Chief Executive
John Holden, Director - Ventures Development
Novocellus Ltd 07739 362433
Bob Hanley, Chief Operating Officer
Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000
Richard Darby, Suzanne Brocks, James Strong
Notes to Editors
Founded in 1994, ANGLE is an international venture management and consulting
company focusing on the commercialisation of technology and the development of
technology-based industry. ANGLE creates, develops and advises technology
businesses on its own behalf and for its clients. ANGLE is listed on AIM (AGL.L)
and operates from offices in the UK, the US and the Middle East. Further
information can be found on www.ANGLEplc.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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