15th Apr 2008 07:01
Vectura Group plc15 April 2008 VECTURA ANNOUNCES POSITIVE DATA WITH INHALED ANTI-MIGRAINE PRODUCT Chippenham, UK - April 15, 2008: Vectura Group plc (LSE: VEC) ("Vectura"), thepulmonary product development company, today announced positive data from anearly proof of concept study of VR147, a product in development for thesymptomatic treatment of migraine. VR147 is an orally inhaled triptan therapywith the potential to provide enhanced benefits to migraine patients through itsrapid onset of action. The results of the trial, a dose-escalation and cross-over pharmacokinetic andsafety comparison in 12 healthy adult volunteers, showed: • Rapid achievement of maximum arterial plasma concentrations of VR147four minutes after dosing, which may directly impact speed of symptomatic reliefthrough rapid delivery to the cranial arteries • Rapid achievement of maximum venous plasma concentrations 8 minutesafter dosing, compared with 12 minutes when the active component of VR147 isadministered subcutaneously • Dose-dependent plasma concentrations and exposure to the active drug atlevels known to be effective in patients • Excellent tolerability of the product, illustrated by a benign adverseevent profile consistent with the active drug, and no abnormal ECG changes The triptan market currently dominates migraine therapy, with sales in excess of$2.3 billion in 2007. Dr Chris Blackwell, Chief Executive of Vectura, commented: "These positive results provide us with an opportunity to create value in whatwe anticipate will be a very significant market. The primary need of migrainepatients is to obtain rapid onset of relief, and there is evidence to suggestthat this can also have a positive impact on the severity of the migraine. "With the benefit of this early and compelling data, we will assess licensingoptions both for VR147 and for the use of our inhalation technology for thedelivery of other triptans." - Ends - Enquiries:Vectura Group plc +44 (0)1249 667700Chris Blackwell, Chief ExecutiveAnne Hyland, Chief Financial Officer Financial Dynamics +44 (0)20 7831 3113David YatesBen AtwellSusan Quigley Notes for Editors: About Migraine Migraine is characterised by recurring attacks of throbbing headache pain, oftenassociated with visual, auditory or gastrointestinal disturbances. Attacks rangefrom mild to severe and can last from 4 hours to 72 hours. In the most severeattacks, migraine sufferers are unable to pursue basic daily activities.According to the American Council for Headache Education, migraines afflict 25million to 30 million people in the U.S. alone. As many as 6% of all men and upto 18% of all women experience a migraine headache at some time. About Vectura Vectura Group plc is a pulmonary product development company focused principallyon the development of a range of inhaled therapies for the treatment ofrespiratory and neurological diseases. Vectura develops products to treatrespiratory diseases such asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)and cystic fibrosis, the market for which is forecast to achieve sales of $32billion by 2011. Vectura also develops products for non-respiratory diseaseswhere optimised delivery via the lungs into the blood stream can providesignificant benefits, such as a rapid onset of action, improved efficacy andimproved tolerability compared with current therapies. Vectura has eight marketed products and a portfolio of drugs in clinical andpre-clinical development, some of which have been licensed to majorpharmaceutical companies. The Company seeks to develop certain programmesfurther through development to optimise value at a later licensing stage.Vectura also offers its formulation and inhalation technologies to otherpharmaceutical companies on a licensing basis where this complements Vectura'sbusiness strategy. Vectura has development collaborations with several pharmaceutical companiesincluding Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis and Chiesi. The acquisition of Innovatain January 2007 brought established alliances with a number of additionalcompanies, such as Baxter, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck Generics (part of MylanInc), UCB and Otsuka, as well as providing revenue streams, complementaryproducts and critical mass. For further information, please visit Vectura's website at www.vectura.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statement", including statementsabout the discovery, development and commercialisation of products. Variousrisks may cause Vectura's actual results to differ materially from thoseexpressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including adverseresults in clinical development programmes; failure to obtain patent protectionfor inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled bythird parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop andcommercialise products and services; difficulties or delays in obtainingregulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from developmentefforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research anddevelopment and to expand commercialisation activities; and product initiativesby competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors arecautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statement. We disclaim anyintention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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