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Phynova Announces Notification of Patent Grant for Potential Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver ("NAFLD") Treatment, PYN22
Phynova Group PLC
("Phynova" or the "Company")
Phynova Announces Notification of Patent Grant for Potential Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver ("NAFLD") Treatment, PYN22
Phynova (AIM: PYN), the developer of prescription pharmaceuticals derived from plants used in Chinese medicines, today announces that the UK Patent Office has granted the Company a patent on its botanical drug candidate PYN22. The drug is in preclinical development as a potential treatment for NAFLD.
NALFD is now believed to be the most common liver disorder in the developed world, affecting up to one third of the population. It is closely linked with features of the metabolic syndrome, particularly obesity and diabetes. It can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure and is now an increasingly common indication for liver transplantation. There have been very few large scale clinical studies on which to establish evidence based treatment recommendations for NAFLD and treatment is currently mainly directed at the individual components of the metabolic syndrome, for example, with diet, exercise and, in some cases, bariatric surgery. Preclinical studies in both the UK and China suggest that PYN22 may have a direct effect on body weight, liver and blood fat levels.
Dr Tony Mills, CEO of Phynova Limited, commented:
"Phynova is especially pleased to receive news of this new patent at a time when the industry has seen several high profile withdrawals of drug candidates in the metabolic syndrome therapeutic area. We believe PYN22 may offer a viable treatment for NAFLD and may therefore contribute to the overall treatment of the metabolic syndrome. The grant of the Company´s first patent on PYN22 will certainly help us with commercial discussions which are ongoing on PYN22. It is the fourth botanical drug patent that the Company has been granted in the last 12 months."
For further information, please contact:
Phynova Group plc
John Pool (Executive Chairman)
Tony Mills (CEO Phynova Limited)
Robert Miller (CEO Phynova China Limited)
Tel: 01993 880700
John East & Partners Limited
John East/Bidhi Bhoma
Tel: 020 7618 2200
Capital MS&L
Mary Clark/Anna Mitchell
Tel: 020 7 307 5330
Notes to editors:
About Phynova
Phynova is a UK company developing new prescription pharmaceuticals derived from plants used in Chinese medicines. The Company is focused on viral and bacterial diseases, metabolic diseases and cancer. Phynova´s lead product for hepatitis C has now completed a Phase I/II trial in the US. Two further products, for fatty liver disease and post-operative ileus, are targeted for entry to the clinic and there are a further four products in preclinical development.
For further information please visit www.phynova.com.
About PYN 22
NAFLD is a common and increasing problem world wide. It encompasses a spectrum of liver disorders ranging from fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ("NASH"), the latter being associated with liver inflammation and fibrosis. NAFLD may progress through NASH to cirrhosis and heptocellular carcinoma. Currently there is no effective drug therapy in use for NAFLD/NASH. Treatment focuses on reducing body weight by diet and exercise and for more severe cases associated with morbid obesity, bariatric surgery. PYN22 is a single plant extract that has been selected as a candidate for the treatment of NAFLD/NASH, based on preclinical work in both China and the UK that suggests PYN22 may have a direct effect on body weight, liver and blood fat levels.
26/01/2009
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