Research Update: Positive Chk1 Programme Model ...

(AIM: SAR) 4 March 2011 SAREUM HOLDINGS PLC ("Sareum") Research Update: Positive Chk1 Programme Model Studies Sareum, the specialist cancer drug discovery business, is pleased to announce positive results from pre-clinical in-vivo efficacy studies from their joint research collaboration with Cancer Research Technology Limited ("CRT") and The Institute of Cancer Research ("The ICR"). A recent colon cancer pre-clinical model study carried out by The ICR demonstrates that the combination of a collaboration Chk1 inhibitor, dosed via the oral route, in combination with a chemotherapeutic, gemcitabine, demonstrates a greater than two-fold reduction in cancer growth rate compared to treatment with the same dose of gemcitabine without the Chk1 inhibitor. Further pre-clinical in-vivo studies for the programme show that the collaboration Chk1 inhibitor, dosed alone, can reduce cancer growth in models of AML (acute myeloid leukaemia) and neuroblastoma (a childhood cancer).  Certain cancers, such as these, are believed to be dependent on Chk1 for survival. The joint research collaboration with the ICR and CTR targets Chk1 (Checkpoint Kinase 1). Chk1 is important in controlling a cancer cell's response to DNA damage, which may be a consequence of the cancer itself, or intentionally caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Sareum's CEO, Dr Tim Mitchell, commented: "These are exciting advances, demonstrating efficacy of our Chk1 compounds in several cancer models. Studies on additional models are on-going. We believe the results from the recently conducted studies will significantly enhance the licencing package and assist the collaboration in selecting the best compound for development into a clinical trials candidate". Sareum Holdings plc Tim Mitchell 01223 497 700 Cancer Research Technology Ltd Josie Gray / Duty Press Officer 020 7061 8309 / 07050 264 059 Merchant Securities Limited (Nomad) Simon Clements/Bidhi Bhoma 020 7628 2200 Hybridan LLP (Broker) Claire Noyce 020 7947 4350 Notes for editors: About Sareum Holdings plc Sareum is a drug discovery company, headquartered in Cambridge UK, that is focused on producing targeted small molecule therapeutics to address unmet medical needs, primarily in cancer. Sareum aims to successfully deliver drug candidates for licensing to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies at the pre-clinical or early clinical trials stage. Sareum's Chk1 kinase cancer research programme is a joint research collaboration with The Institute of Cancer Research and Cancer Research Technology Limited. Novel chemical compounds developed by the collaboration have been shown to increase the effectiveness of current cancer therapeutics in several in-vivo cancer models. SKIL® (Sareum Kinase Inhibitor Library) is Sareum's drug discovery technology platform that has so far produced the Company's Aurora+FLT3, Aurora+ALK VEGFR- 3, FLT3 & TYK2 kinase cancer and auto-immune disease research programmes. SKIL can also generate drug research programmes against other kinase targets. Sareum Holdings plc joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in October 2004, trading under the symbol SAR.  For further information, please visit www.sareum.co.uk About Cancer Research Technology Ltd Cancer Research Technology Limited (CRT) is an oncology-focused development and commercialisation company that realises cancer patient benefit from publicly- funded research worldwide. CRT works closely with leading international cancer scientists, their institutes and funding bodies to protect, develop and commercialise oncology-related discoveries. CRT is wholly owned by Cancer Research UK, the largest independent funder of cancer research in the world. Further information about CRT can be found at www.cancertechnology.com. This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: SAREUM HOLDINGS PLC via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1494573]
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