6th Dec 2007 07:00
Henderson Morley PLC06 December 2007 HENDERSON MORLEY PLC (AIM) Commencement of Pre-clinical studies for PREPS and L-particles as vaccine candidate for herpes simplex The Board of Henderson Morley plc ("the Company" or "Henderson Morley"), thedrug discovery company, is pleased to announce the start of pre-clinicaltoxicity, immunogenicity and dose ranging studies using PREPS and L-particles asa vaccine candidate for herpes simplex virus ("HSV"). These studies are being carried out by a prestigious US based Contract ResearchOrganisation and it is anticipated that the studies will be completed by end Q12008, with results due by the end Q2 2008. Commenting Andrew Knight, Executive Chairman, said: "We believe that thesestudies will demonstrate a further opportunity for the PREPS and L-particlesvaccine platform in an important disease area. A successful vaccine againstHSV diseases would have significant market potential." Ends ENQUIRIES: HENDERSON MORLEY PLC Tel: 0121 442 4600Andrew Knight, Chairman BISHOPSGATE COMMUNICATIONS LTD Tel: 020 7562 3350Maxine Barnes Mobile: 07860 489571Nick Rome BREWIN DOLPHIN SECURITIES LTD Tel: 0113 241 0126Neil Baldwin Further information on Henderson Morley plc can be accessed through theCompany's website at www.henderson-morley.com Notes for editors: There is currently no vaccine licensed for the treatment or prevention of herpessimplex disease. Herpes simplex virus infections are the cause of (amongst others); Genital Herpes Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV2) causes genital herpes. It is a very common diseasewith its incidence growing rapidly, with sero-prevalence*) of HSV2 infectiongrowing from 16.7% of the US adult population in 1978, to 21.7% in 1991 (NAHNESstudy 1997). There are over 45 million Americans chronically infected and atleast 100 million genital outbreaks annually. (UK figures are more difficult toobtain accurately) Genital herpes is also the most common ulcerative sexually transmitted diseasein America, and its prevalence has been increasing continually over the last 20years. Cold Sores According to the WHO the current sero-prevalence of HSV 1 globally in adults isapprox 70-80%, leading to at least 400 million cold sores annually. The sero-prevalence is currently increasing at 3% per year. 42% of sufferers ofHSV1 (cold sores) will have an outbreak in a year (IHMF).89% of sufferers of HSV2 (genital herpes) will have an outbreak in a year (IHMF). * Sero-prevalence is the frequency of blood tests demonstrating antibodies to aparticular virus. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
HML.L