4th Apr 2007 07:00
For immediate release: 0700hrs 4th April 2007
VALIRX PLC ("ValiRx" or the "Company") University of Surrey Collaborative- Agreement
ValiRx plc (AIM: VAL), the cancer therapeutics company, today announces that its subsidiary company, Cronos Therapeutics Ltd ("Cronos"), has signed an agreement with the University of Surrey's Postgraduate Medical School to co-develop prostate and bladder cancer diagnostics based on Cronos' proprietary HyperGenomics technology.
Professor Pandha of the University of Surrey is a leading scientist in the field of oncology focusing on integrating clinical and basic research to evaluate new targets for the treatment of urological and prostate cancers.
Dr Satu Vainikka, CEO of ValiRx, said:
"We are looking to introduce a technology that reliably detects prostate cancer even when it's in the early stages and determine from the outset whether the cancer is benign or malignant. We believe these diagnostic capabilities would assist oncologists in the management of the disease to deliver better treatment outcomes. Current products are unable to do this. Cronos' HyperGenomics technology has potentially an important role to play and we look forward to our collaboration with Professor Pandha and the University of Surrey, an excellent research base, to achieve our goals."
Professor Pandha of the University of Surrey adds:
"By combining the HyperGenomics technology with the data we are generating from our ongoing programmes with patients, we are looking towards taking a significant step forward in the creation of a diagnostic platform for the early stage detection of prostate cancer."
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Notes to Editors:
HyperGenomics is a rapid, high-throughput and extremely sensitive diagnostic technology that can be used to characterise any particular cell, disease or differentiation state using a patented PCR-based method for mapping the open areas of chromatin on a chromosome.
HyperGenomics represents the first use of chromosome structure as an indicator of epigenetic status on a global (throughout the genome) scale. The technology can be automated for the highly parallel analysis of thousands of genes in thousands of samples. HyperGenomics thus provides a similar type of information to that of DNA chips but in a few hours and at a fraction of the cost. The epigenetic patterns produced can be used for:
* Diagnostics * Pharmacogenomics * Stem cell applications * Drug development * Research purposes
Cronos' HyperGenomics technology was developed by Dr Weinzierl at Imperial College, a world leading Science, Engineering and Medicine University
Information on ValiRx
ValiRx is a biopharmaceutical development company that is building a portfolio of complementary cancer-related therapeutic and diagnostic technologies. It currently holds stakes in Cronos and Morphogenesis Inc;
* Cronos holds licences to two innovative and potentially market changing technologies, GeneICE and HyperGenomics; * Morphogenesis Inc. is developing a portfolio of cell therapy products for the treatment of chronic disorders. Its most advanced product is ImmuneFx¢â€ž¢ for which it recently received a patent from the US patent office.
ValiRx is headquartered in London, England.
Information on the University of Surrey
The University of Surrey has a reputation for excellence in teaching andresearch. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefitto all spheres of life - helping industry to maintain its competitive edge andcreating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, theenvironment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in scienceand technology have gained widespread recognition. In addition to the campus on150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runsthe Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 140 companies employing2,700 staff.Contact Details: ValiRx Plc WH Ireland University of GTH Communications Surrey Dr Satu Vainikka David Youngman Stuart Miller Toby Hall / Jade Mamarbachi +44 (0) 207 408 +44 (0) 161 832 +44 (0) 1483 +44 (0) 20 7153 8035 5400 2174 689314
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