PTI Protherics

    RNS Number : 5304I
  Protherics PLC
  20 November 2008
   

    Protherics PLC

    Voraxaze* rolling BLA submission initiated with the US FDA

    London, UK; Brentwood, TN, US; 20 November 2008 - Protherics PLC ("Protherics" or the "Company"), the international biopharmaceutical
company focused on critical care and cancer, today announces that it has commenced the submission of a rolling Biologics License Application
(BLA) for Voraxaze with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. This marketing application is being made for the interventional
use of Voraxaze for the rapid and sustained reduction of methotrexate (MTX) in patients who have toxic MTX levels due to impaired renal
function.

    Voraxaze contains an enzyme that breaks down MTX, a commonly used cancer drug. It is an investigational new drug that is available in
the US under a Treatment Protocol for patients receiving high dose MTX (* 1g/m2) who are experiencing, or at risk of, MTX toxicity. High
dose MTX is used to treat or prevent the recurrence of certain types of cancer. Patients are considered at risk of MTX toxicity if they have
impaired renal function, which can lead to a delay in MTX elimination, or have evidence of delayed elimination based on MTX levels. Voraxaze
is also available in Europe and elsewhere outside the US on a named patient basis.

    The development program for interventional use of Voraxaze has been granted Fast Track designation by the FDA, enabling the submission
of the licensing application in sections rather than all components simultaneously. The Voraxaze rolling BLA commenced today with the
submission of a pre-clinical data module. The remaining two modules containing the CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and control) and clinical
data are scheduled for submission within the next 12 months, as stipulated by the FDA. Protherics intends to seek a Priority Review,
reducing the time for the BLA review from 10 to 6 months from submission of the final part of the application. This would allow a potential
marketing approval in US in 2010. Protherics estimates that the global market potential for Voraxaze, for interventional use, is
approximately $25-50m per annum.

    Andrew Heath, Chief Executive of Protherics, commented: 

    "The initiation of the Voraxaze BLA submission represents a significant milestone towards enhancing our portfolio of niche, specialty
pharmaceutical products. Approval by the FDA would provide an excellent opportunity for us to promote and sell this important product in the
US, alongside CroFab* and DigiFab* when their US marketing rights are returned to us in 2010."

    | Ends |

    For further information please contact:

 Protherics 
 Ashley Tapp, Communication Manager      +44 (0) 7790 811 554 
 Saul Komisar, President Protherics Inc  +1 615 327 1027

 Financial Dynamics - press enquiries
 London: Ben Atwell, Lara Mott           +44 (0) 20 7831 3113 
 New York: John Capodanno                +1 212 850 5600

    Or visit www.protherics.com

    Notes for Editors:

    About Protherics
    Protherics (LSE: PTI, NASDAQ: PTIL) is a leading international biopharmaceutical company focused on specialist products for critical
care and cancer.

    The Company has two critical care products, CroFab* and DigiFab*, approved for sale in the US. The Company has the opportunity to sell
these products in the US from October 2010 together with Voraxaze*, a supportive cancer care product, following anticipated approval in the
US in 2010. Protherics is also developing a number of other products in the cancer arena that it can commercialise in-house.

    In addition, Protherics has several potential blockbuster products that require development and commercialisation partners. These
include CytoFab* which has been partnered by AstraZeneca in a major licensing deal, and also Angiotensin Therapeutic Vaccine and Digoxin
Immune Fabs for which licensing partners will be sought in 2008-2009.  These products have the potential to be high value products that can
provide additional funding for the Company.

    Protherics reported revenues of �26.1 million for the year ended 31 March 2008 and a strong cash balance of �37.7 million. With
headquarters in London, the Company has approximately 300 employees across its operations in the UK, US and Australia.

    On Thursday, 18th September Protherics announced a proposed merger with BTG through a recommended share offer.

    For further information visit www.protherics.com 

    About Methotrexate
    Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used anti-cancer drug which is often used in high-doses (>1g/m2) in certain types of cancer. However, MTX
can result in reduced kidney function, particularly when used in high doses. This further delays the elimination of methotrexate from the
body leading to mucositis, increased haematological toxicity and increased risk of sepsis and in some instances death.

    Disclaimer
    This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including with respect to products under
development and the progress and completion of clinical trials. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable at this time, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Given these uncertainties,
readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to many important factors discussed in Protherics' Annual Report on Form 20-F and other
reports filed from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not undertake to update any oral or written
forward-looking statements that may be made by, or on behalf of, Protherics.

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