Protherics PLC announces Research Update
Tuesday June 24, 2:00 am ET
Cheshire, UK--(MARKET WIRE)--Jun 24, 2008 --
Protherics PLC
Start of phase 2a clinical study of Angiotensin Therapeutic Vaccine
in hypertension
London, UK; Brentwood, TN, US; 24 June 2008 - Protherics PLC
("Protherics" or the "Company"), the international biopharmaceutical
company focused on critical care and cancer, today announces that the
first patient has been enrolled in a phase 2a study of its Angiotensin
Therapeutic Vaccine (ATV) for the treatment of hypertension.
Hypertension is a major risk factor for serious and common
cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes and the
global market for anti-hypertensive therapies is estimated to be worth
around USUSD30 billion*. The majority of existing therapies are tablets
which need to be taken on a daily basis, usually for the rest of a
patient's life. However, many patients with high blood pressure fail
to take their medicines as prescribed, and it is estimated that
approximately 70% of patients with hypertension do not have their blood
pressure adequately controlled*. Therefore, a vaccine approach, which
may require only three injections and a booster after six months rather
than daily medication, should improve patient compliance with treatment.
The phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in
124 patients with mild to moderate hypertension has been initiated in
the UK. Patients will be given a course of injections over six weeks.
The study will assess the safety and tolerability of the vaccine,
incorporating Protherics' promising novel vaccine adjuvant, CoVaccine
HT(TM). In addition both antibody response and effect on blood
pressure will be assessed. The blood pressure results are expected in
the first half of 2009.
Protherics has shown in a previous phase 2a study that a formulation of
ATV, incorporating the vaccine adjuvant Alhydrogel®, modulated key
hormones involved in regulating blood pressure in hypertensive
patients. A new formulation of ATV has now been developed,
incorporating the CoVaccine HT(TM) adjuvant, which has demonstrated a
much stronger immune response in pre-clinical models.
CoVaccine HT(TM) and ATV are protected by extensive patents and
applications in the US, EU and the rest of the world. The first US
patent on ATV was granted in May 2008.
Andrew Heath, Chief Executive of Protherics, commented:"We are excited
about the prospects for ATV, a potential value driver
for the company. A vaccine approach to the treatment of high blood
pressure promises to address the issue of poor patient compliance with
daily medication and thus reduce the incidence of stroke and heart
attacks. With data expected within a year, this could be a major
outlicensing opportunity."
surf's up......crikey
