Phynova's Anti-MRSA Candidate PYN6 Announcment

    
  Phynova Group PLC
  21 October 2008
   

    

21 October 2008

    
 
    Phynova Group PLC

    ("Phynova" or the "Company")

    PHYNOVA'S ANTI-MRSA CANDIDATE PYN6 DEMONSTRATES POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES OF BOTANICAL DRUGS FOR COMBATTING MRSA

    Phynova (AIM:PYN), a leading developer of botanical drugs, announced today further preclinical results on its drug candidate PYN6 for
the topical prevention and treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ("MRSA"). The results demonstrate the polymolecular
nature and multifunctional mode of action of botanical drugs which may provide many advantages in treating MRSA as well as a range of other
diseases. As a result, Phynova has selected PYN 6 as its next clinical candidate.

    Botanical drugs are defined by their polymolecular composition and the recently completed preclinical studies on PYN6 have demonstrated
that this composition appears to have a dual action on MRSA, having strong inhibitory effects on the growth of the bacterium, as well as a
strong bactericidal action. 

    Phynova has demonstrated that MRSA cultured in the presence of PYN6 does not become resistant to PYN6. These findings support the
Board's belief that it is the polymolecular nature of PYN6 that promotes a multifunctional mode of action that prevents resistance.  

    Working with its scientific collaborators at Queen Mary, University of London and the University of East London, Phynova has also
demonstrated that PYN6 retains its anti-MRSA activity when in gel formulations. Dr Ron Cutler one of the leading researchers in this study
stated "PYN6 is a potentially exciting new development in our constant battle against an organism which has continued to evolve in
antibiotic resistance and virulence since the discovery of penicillin".

    As a consequence of these results, Phynova has selected its preclinical anti-MRSA candidate PYN6 as its next clinical candidate,
targeting the first human studies within 12 to 15 months.  
    Dr Tony Mills, Chief Executive Officer of Phynova Limited, said "We believe PYN6 is a classic example of an ideal botanical drug
candidate. It is polymolecular, comprising a well characterised extract of a medicinal plant, as opposed to the more 'traditional' kind of
single molecule drug that is usually developed by larger pharmaceutical companies. We now have a solid body of preclinical evidence of
PYN6's potential against MRSA, an organism that is showing increasing resistance to antibiotic therapy. We will prioritise further
preclinical development of PYN6 with a view to initiating clinical studies. This will be our second botanical drug candidate to enter the
clinic, following PYN17, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C."

    -ENDS-





    For further information, please contact: 

            Phynova Group PLC   Tel: [phone]
                   Tony Mills

 John East & Partners Limited  Tel: [phone]
     John East/Simon Clements

                 Capital MS&L  Tel: [phone]
     Mary Clark/Anna Mitchell


    Notes to editors:

    About Phynova

    Phynova (PYN) is a UK-based, AIM-listed company developing botanical drugs for the treatment of diseases with a major unmet medical
need. 

    The Company has developed a pipeline of botanical compounds for treating viral and bacterial diseases, metabolic diseases and cancer.
Its business strategy is to develop its compounds to proof of concept and then partner for further development.

    Phynova´s lead product for hepatitis C has now completed a Phase I/II trial in the US.

    For further information please visit www.phynova.com.


    About Botanical Drugs

    Botanical drugs are extracts of plants that comprise polymolecular mixtures which simultaneously affect multiple pharmacological
targets. 

    In 2004 the FDA addressed the regulation of botanical drugs by issuing its "Guidance for Industry: Botanical Drug Products"
(http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/4592fnl.htm.)

    Phynova believes that such a therapeutic approach will provide high clinical efficacy that will offer advantages over traditional single
compound based therapies. Phynova believes botanical drugs offer an extremely cost effective way to bring new drug candidates forward for
clinical study.

    There are around 200 INDs open for botanical drug candidates in the US and in 2006 the FDA approved the first botanical drug (Medigene's
'Veregen' for the treatment of papillomavirus warts).


    About PNY 6

    PYN 6, the antibacterial drug candidate, has shown great promise against MRSA and the Company has initiated studies aimed at formulating
the drug for topical application.  PYN6 is an early stage botanical drug candidate extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza (Chinese sage), a
plant widely used in Chinese medicine.

    An estimated 100,000 patients in the UK contract an antibiotic resistant infection while in hospital each year. The reported cost to the
NHS of treating these infections is in excess of £1 billion. With the sharp increase of so-called "super-bugs" such as MRSA in hospitals,
there is a major need for new anti-bacterial treatments.
    
Pre-clinical work was conducted by Phynova in collaboration with Queen Mary,  University  of London  and the University of East London.
Inhibition was demonstrated against all of the strains of MRSA that were tested. The profile of PYN6 activity compared favourably with that
of mupirocin, the topical antibiotic currently routinely used for treatment of skin infections involving MRSA, but against which MRSA is now
increasingly showing resistance world wide. Resistance to PYN 6 was not observed even after prolonged culture of numerous MRSA strains with
PYN 6.

    PYN 6 has also shown significant activity against the Propionibacterium acnes organism which causes acne.

    Phynova is now preparing a preclinical package; a new patent application has been filed; and commercial discussions are underway with
several companies with interests in infection and skin care. 


    About MRSA

    Infections with MRSA are the leading cause of hospital acquired infections. An estimated 100,000 patients in the UK contract an
antibiotic resistant infection while in hospital each year. MRSA typically causes skin and soft tissue infections and pneumonia, but may
lead to more serious conditions such as widespread infection (sepsis) and toxic shock syndrome.  

    The risk of resistance is increasing in conventional treatments against MRSA, and novel treatments that are not susceptible to
resistance formation are needed. Research has shown that regular use of mupirocin, the most common topical prophylactic treatment for MRSA,
may lead to resistance rates of around 65 per cent.


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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