Research Update - New Positive Data from DMD Programme

 

   Drug candidate SMT C1100 boosts muscle strength and function in preclinical studies

   Third independent verification of Summit's therapeutic approach

 

Oxford, UK, 29 April 2008 - Summit Corporation plc (AIM: SUMM), a leading UK biotechnology company, today reports positive data from the Company's preclinical development programme targeting the fatal genetic disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

 

In a series of tests using the 'gold standard' preclinical in-vivo model of DMD, SMT C1100 was shown to increase significantly the strength of muscles when compared to no treatment.  A synergistic benefit in reducing muscle fatigue during exercise (ability to walk longer distances) was seen with SMT C1100 and steroid treatment (prednisolone).  Steroids are currently the only frontline therapy for DMD.

 

Importantly, this study, which demonstrates a reduction in muscle fatigue during exercise, is a surrogate for the agreed primary clinical endpoint in human clinical trials. It is designed to demonstrate that patients' muscle function is improved by measuring the increase in distance they can walk.

 

These latest data were presented to leading research scientists and companies in the field of neuromuscular diseases at the New Directions in Muscle Biology and Diseases conference, held in New Orleans, USA (27-30 April).  A copy of the presentation is available on request from investors@summitplc.com.

 

The studies' were undertaken at the University of Bari, Italy, by Professor Annamaria De Luca, a leading expert in neuromuscular diseases, and is the third independent verification of the potential of Summit's unique therapeutic approach to treating DMD.  Summit's plan is to conclude preclinical development work by the end of 2008 and begin Phase I clinical trials shortly afterwards.

 

Commenting on the results, Professor Kate Bushby, a leading clinician and researcher in neuromuscular diseases at Newcastle University, said: "These are very encouraging results, which, if they can be replicated in patients, will provide real optimism that an effective long-term treatment for DMD can be developed."

 

Richard Storer, DPhil, Chief Scientific Officer of Summit commented: "We are very pleased with how our DMD programme is progressing.  In preclinical studies to date, SMT C1100 has shown positive results consistently that give us great confidence that we will soon be able to progress this novel candidate into patients. If it is successful in the clinic, this will be a first in class drug offering considerable hope to all DMD patients. Furthermore, it will offer potential partners a significant commercial advantage in this area of high unmet medical need and strengthens our portfolio of exciting drug programmes targeting acne, Parkinson's disease and oncology, all of which represent attractive licensing opportunities."

 

 

DMD is a fatal neuromuscular disease that only affects young males. Owing to an inherited genetic defect, DMD patients lack an important protein called dystrophin, which is crucial to maintaining muscle integrity. The absence of dystrophin results in extensive muscle wasting that severely restricts the mobility of DMD patients by their teen years and is ultimately fatal in their twenties.  There is no cure for the disease and steroid treatment, the only frontline therapy, acts to only delay the patients' requirement of a wheelchair. 

 

Summit has identified SMT C1100, a proprietary small molecule that acts to replace the missing dystrophin by increasing levels of a functionally similar protein called utrophin. Summit believes the major advantages of this approach is that it is an oral drug and has the potential to be effective in the treatment of all DMD patients, whereas other current treatments in development are expected to be limited to specific groups of patients.

 

-- ENDS --

Summit plc
Steven Lee, PhD, Chief Executive Officer
Darren Millington, ACMA, Chief Financial Officer
Richard Pye, PhD, Investor Relations

Tel: +44 (0)1235 443951; +44 (0)7825 313476

 

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Mark Swallow, PhD / David Dible / Sylvie Berrebi

Tel: +44 (0)207 638 9571

 

Panmure Gordon
Andrew Burnett / Rakesh Sharma (Corporate Finance)
Ashton Clanfield (Corporate Broking)

Tel: +44 (0)207 459 3600

Summit plc is a leading UK biotechnology company that discovers and develops proprietary new drugs. The Company's internal drug development programmes are underpinned by its advanced carbohydrate chemistry and zebrafish drug screening technology platforms, which it also provides on a collaborative or fee-for-service basis to the pharmaceutical industry.

Summit plc has a broad range of drug discovery programmes in the clinical, pre-clinical and discovery stages of development, which target serious diseases with a high unmet medical need. These therapeutic areas include neurological disorders, anti-infectives, ophthalmic diseases and oncology.

Summit plc's in-house drug development capabilities combine world-class expertise in both carbohydrate chemistry with high-volume, high-content screening using its proprietary zebrafish technologies. These whole organism screens have the potential to dramatically decrease the time and cost of drug discovery and development by delivering data that are highly predictive of the efficacy and toxicity of potential drug compounds in humans.

The company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in October 2004 - symbol: SUMM  Further information about the company is available at www.summitplc.com