Strategic Review
Ardana PLC
03 December 2007
ARDANA PLC ANNOUNCES OUTCOME OF STRATEGIC REVIEW
Edinburgh, UK, December 3 2007: Ardana Plc (LSE:ARA), the pharmaceutical company
focused on improving human reproductive health, today announces the initial
findings of the strategic review of the Company's activities.
The review has placed considerable emphasis on the ongoing development and
commercialisation of the Company's late stage products in order to maximise
shareholder value in an acceptable period of time. A key feature of the review
is ensuring that any further investment is directed towards those areas with the
greatest potential return whilst conserving cash.
The highlights of the review are as follows:
Focus on key clinical development projects and near term commercialisation
products
o Teverelix LA in prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and
endometriosis, in all markets
o Testosterone Cream for the treatment of hypogonadism with particular
focus on the US market
o ARD-07, growth hormone secretagogue in the diagnosis of growth hormone
deficiency, in the United States
o ARD-07, growth hormone secretagogue in adults and children requiring
treatment with growth hormone, in particular idiopathic short stature in
children, in all markets
Projects with lower priority placed on hold
o ARD-07 in the diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in Europe due to
the probable requirement for an additional comparator study and the
relatively small size of the opportunity
o Development of terbutaline vaginal gel
o Development of the fizzy tablet platform technology
Strengthening of Business Development Function
There will be an increased focus on creating business development opportunities
for the Company's most attractive clinical development projects and near term
commercialisation candidates highlighted above. In order to augment Ardana's
business development capability the Company has appointed John Dawson as SVP
Corporate Strategy for a defined period. John's most recent appointment was as
CFO and Head of Business Development, Europe for Cephalon Inc. where he served
for 11 years in various senior roles including Vice President Pharmaceutical
Operations, Europe. Prior to joining Cephalon, John spent five years as Finance
Director for Serono UK. The areas of focus for John and his team will be:
o The completion of a strategic development alliance for Teverelix LA
o Seeking partnerships, particularly in the USA, for Testosterone Cream
for the treatment of male hypogonadism
o Seeking a partnership in the USA for ARD-07 which is in Phase III as a
diagnostic agent for growth hormone deficiency
o An emphasis on out-licensing of the Company's marketed product
portfolio in continental Europe
o Exploration of alternative means of funding the development of ARD-07
in therapeutic indications
The Company will consider a wide range of options for delivery of these business
development imperatives ranging from local commercial partnerships to M&A
activity.
Board composition
Following the move of Huw Jones from non-executive Director to Chief Executive
Officer, the Company is evaluating the composition of the Board.
Other business areas
Ardana is continuing to review additional aspects of its business strategy and
expects to report on further developments in due course.
Commenting on today's announcement, Ardana's CEO, Dr Huw Jones, said: 'The
results of our strategic review will focus the Company's efforts and resources
on the high-value, near term opportunities in our pipeline such as Teverelix LA,
in our two lead indications, and Testosterone Cream, both of which have recently
reported strong clinical results.
'In addition, we are pleased to welcome John Dawson to Ardana, his appointment
substantially enhances our Business Development capability and we are now well
positioned to focus on the delivery of significant shareholder value. We look
forward to the implementation of our review.'
For more information contact:
Ardana Financial Dynamics
Dr Huw Jones (corporate/financial media relations)
Tel: + 44 (0) 131 226 8550 Julia Phillips/Emma Thompson
Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113
About Ardana
Ardana plc is a pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and
marketing of innovative products to improve human reproductive health, a $25.5
billion market.
Since its foundation, Ardana has built a broad and balanced portfolio to manage
risk and actively pursues product and technology in-licensing and outlicensing
to maintain a robust pipeline.
Ardana's lead products are summarised below:
• Teverelix LA, in development for three initial indications (prostate
cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia and endometriosis);
• ARD-0705 a growth hormone secretagogue in Phase III for the diagnosis of
growth hormone deficiency in adults
• Testosterone Cream, a transdermal testosterone delivery system in
development for the treatment of male hypogonadism, in Phase III trials;
• Emselex(R), a once a day treatment for the symptoms of overactive
bladder syndrome, which Ardana has exclusive UK marketing and promotion
rights and is being distributed in collaboration with Novartis UK
Limited;
• StriantTM SR, a testosterone replacement therapy that has been launched
by Ardana through its own sales force in the UK and through marketing
partners in certain European countries, as a treatment for men with
confirmed hypogonadism;
• InvicorpTM, an injectable combination drug treatment for erectile
dysfunction, for which Ardana has marketing and manufacturing rights in
Europe and has been launched in Denmark.
In addition, Ardana has a strong portfolio of follow-on products in research.
Ardana is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
For further information please see www.ardana.co.uk
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange