ValiRx Plc (LON:VAL) has completed what it calls a material transfer agreement which will see the Institut Paoli & Calmettes in Marseille carry out translational and developmental studies on the company’s potential treatment for prostate cancer.
The work, which will be funded by the AIM-listed drug developer, is designed to prepare VAL201 for clinical trials.
Professor Jean-Paul Borg, scientific director of the IPC, will look in detail at the “molecular interaction and mimics of VAL201”.
ValiRx chief executive Dr Satu Vainikka said: "I am very pleased that we have concluded this agreement with IPC and greatly look forward to working with Professor Borg and his team.
“IPC is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for the study of cancer and it is one of our potential Phase One clinical centres.
“This is another successful step along the way as VAL201 heads towards the clinic."
Late preclinical studies have marked the compound out as a potential breakthrough treatment for hormone induced refractory prostate cancer and other conditions of hormone induced uncontrolled cell growth including breast and ovarian cancers.
VAL201 has already negotiated one regulatory hurdle, albeit a minor one, in that it complies with Good Manufacturing Practice.
It is currently undergoing regulatory toxicology studies.
