7th Sep 2011 07:00
Verona Pharma plc ("Verona Pharma" or the "Company") VRP700 demonstrates significant anti-tussive effects in patients with chronic intractable coughing Highlights
* VRP700 significantly reduced coughing
* All endpoints met and no safety concerns observed
* Successful results are a base for an intensive cough programme
7 September 2011 - London, UK - Verona Pharma plc (AIM: VRP.L), thebiotechnology company dedicated to discovering new drugs for the treatment ofchronic respiratory diseases, has announced the results of the clinical trialof its novel cough drug, VRP700, conducted at the University of Florence,Italy. By all the measures used, VRP700 significantly reduced coughing inpatients with chronic intractable cough due to underlying lung disease. Thisbeneficial effect was not associated with any adverse effects.
The trial was a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled, contingency study to assess the anti-tussive effects of VRP700 in patients with chronic intractable cough. Each patient received two treatments, either VRP700 or placebo inhaled from a nebuliser device.
The study met all of its primary and secondary endpoints. The primary endpointwas the number of coughs recorded, with VRP700 producing a significantreduction in the number of coughs (p values 0.01 to 0.001) compared to bothplacebo and pre-treatment values. A secondary endpoint was the attendingphysicians' blind assessment of the patients' coughing, with the post-treatmentperiod being clinically superior to the pre-treatment period at a statisticalsignificance of p
About VRP700 and cough
VRP700 is Verona Pharma's lead drug compound for its cough programme. VRP700'smechanism of action involves the suppression of cough initiating signalsoriginating at cough sensory nerve endings located in the lungs. At a clinicaltrial completed at the University of Florence, Italy in September 2011, VRP700demonstrated significant anti-tussive effects in patients with chronicintractable cough.Cough is one of the most debilitating medical complaints reported by patients,especially in patients with respiratory problems such as asthma, chronicobstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, fibrosis or infection. Itis an area where there is significant self-medication, with consumer spend onOTC remedies, including for cough, growing by 10% over 2005-10, to reach £532m[Source: Mintel]. However, there remains no truly safe and effective treatmentfor cough since currently available treatments are either morphine-based, orderivatives of morphine, which have significant unwanted effects that limit thedoses that can be administered and the use of such drugs.
About the University of Florence
The origins of the Universit degli Studi di Firenze were in the StudiumFlorentinum founded in 1321 while the University of Florence was granted itsofficial status by an Act of the Italian Parliament in 1923. The University hasaround 60,000 students; 2000 teaching staff and researchers; and 1,500administrative staff operating in 12 faculties including Pharmacy, Medicine andSurgery. It has facilities in the historical centre of Florence, at various"Poli" (decentralized structures) in and around Florence town, and elsewhere inTuscany. The University includes 52 Departments, a renowned Museum of NaturalHistory and 10 research centres (Centri di Ricerca, Trasferimento e AltaFormazione).
For more information please contact:
Verona Pharma plc Tel: 020 7863 3300 Clive Page, Chairman [email protected] Walker, CEO Evolution Securities Limited Tel: 020 7071 4300 (NOMAD and Joint Broker) [email protected] James Nevin / Tim Redfern / Patrick Castle WH Ireland Group Plc (Joint Broker) Tel: 0121 265 6300 Richard Smith / Jessica Metcalf
College Hill Tel: 020 7457 2020 Melanie Toyne Sewell / Gemma Howe [email protected]
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