Winter 2014 First-in-Class Drugs to Treat Respiratory Diseases
About Verona Pharma
Verona Pharma is a UK-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the
development of innovative prescription medicines to treat respiratory diseases with significant
unmet medical needs, such as COPD, asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Stock information
Verona Pharma’s lead drug, RPL554, is a first-in-class drug currently in phase II trials as a
nebulised treatment for acute exacerbations of COPD in the hospital setting. The drug is a dual
phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3 and 4 inhibitor and therefore has both bronchodilator and antiinflammatory effects, which are essential to the improvement of patients with COPD and
asthma.
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Verona Pharma is also building a broader franchise around RPL554 to maximise its value, both
to patients and to investors. This includes the very significant markets for COPD and asthma
maintenance therapy. The Company is also exploring the potential of the drug in different
diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, where it is in pre-clinical testing. In relation to this, Verona
Pharma recently received a Venture and Innovation Award from the CF Trust.
VRP
£17.5m
AIM
1.01bn
1.73p
(data as of 7 Oct 2014)
Business Strategy
“First-in-class” medicines to treat respiratory diseases
Build a strong clinical pipeline of first-in-class drugs for the treatment of respiratory diseases.
Seek and development
Undertake pre-clinical and clinical development to the highest standard up to at least proof-of-concept in patients.
Optimising value by focusing on “speed to market”
Concentrate on drug candidates with a clear development path to commercialisation, high expected commercial value and
the potential for wider use via novel formulations and new indications.
Target patients with high unmet medical need to accelerate access to multi-billion dollar markets
Initially target subsets of patients with high unmet medical need to increase the likelihood of obtaining an approvable,
marketable and reimbursable drug.
Potential to out-license
Seek to partner broader indications with larger, later stage trial requirements and for commercialisation.
Pipeline – focus on RPL554
Project
Indication
Mechanism
of Action
RPL554
Bronchodilator & antiinflammatory for
COPD & asthma
PDE3/4 inhibitor
Hospital/
specialist
care
RPL554
Cystic fibrosis
Activation of
CFTR
Hospital/
specialist
care
NAIPs
Anti-Inflammatory
Undisclosed
VRP700
Chronic cough
Undisclosed
Pre-clinical
Phase 1
Out-licensing opportunity
Phase
2
Phase
3
Market
First-in-Class Drugs to Treat Respiratory Diseases
About COPD
COPD is a chronic lung disease with significant unmet need for which
current treatment is far from optimal, as it often has unwanted side-effects
and/or limited effectiveness. WHO expects COPD to be the third leading
cause of disease globally by 2020. COPD is most commonly characterised
by fixed airflow obstruction and chronic airways inflammation resulting
from exposure to irritants like tobacco smoke.
Across all COPD patients in the US, hospital admissions account for the
majority (>50%) of direct health care costs.
About Asthma
Asthma, which remains one of the most common chronic diseases in the
world, is characterised by recurrent breathing problems and symptoms
such as breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.
In the U.S. asthma accounts for approx. 1.9 million annual emergency
room visits and approx. 500,000 annual hospitalisations.
The market for COPD and asthma drugs is currently estimated to be
GBP20 billion.
About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an orphan disease with about 70,000 people afflicted
worldwide. It is one of the most common life-threatening genetic conditions
affecting humans. There is currently no cure and therefore significant
demand for novel treatments.
Anticipated Milestones
2014
Q1
Financing to support strategy
ü
Q4
Data supporting RPL554 as a potential novel CF therapy
ü
Q4 / Q1
15
RPL554: Start single ascending dose and multiple ascending
dosing studies with new formulation
2015
H1
RPL554: Start acute exacerbation asthma study
H2
RPL554: Results of single ascending dose and multiple ascending
dosing studies with new formulation
Capital Structure
At 12 August 2014, the following shareholders held in excess of 3% of the
Company's total shares on issue:
Shareholder
% of issued capital
Wales Life Sciences Fund
20.8%
Aviva
18.0%
Investec Wealth and Investment Ltd
9.0%
Vivo Capital
8.1%
Fidelity
7.6%
Management
Dr Jan-Anders Karlsson
Chief Executive Officer
Biresh Roy
Chief Financial Officer
Dr Grahaem Brown
Head of Clinical Development
Dr Peter Spargo
Head of CMC &
Manufacturing
Dr Kathy Banner
Senior Scientist, Development
Board
Professor Clive Page
Non-Executive Chairman
Dr Jan-Anders Karlsson
Chief Executive Officer
Biresh Roy
Chief Financial Officer
Claire Poll, LLB
Corporate Director
Stuart Bottomley
Non-Executive Director
Dr Patrick Humphrey, OBE, DSc,
Non-Executive Director
Professor Trevor Jones, CBE, DSc
Non-Executive Director
Nominated Adviser and Broker
N+1 Singer
Aubrey.Powell@n1singer.com
Jennifer.Boorer@n1singer.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7496 3000
Financial PR
FTI Consulting
Julia.Phillips@fticonsulting.com
Simon.Conway@fticonsulting.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1000
Investor Relations
Email: info@veronapharma.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 7863 3309
Verona Pharma plc
Suite 21 - Alpha House
100 Borough High Street
London SE1 1LB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7863 3300
info@veronapharma.com
Web: www.veronapharma.com