Microsoft word - bi final.doc

Ark Grants Licence to Boehringer Ingelheim
for Access to Key Technology
1 April 2005 - Ark Therapeutics Group plc today announces that it has signed an agreement with the
German pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, granting Boehringer Ingelheim exclusive rights to Ark’s intellectual property in relation to certain Boehringer Ingelheim therapies affecting the renin-angiotensin system. Although detailed financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, Ark receives a material upfront payment on signing and several multi million Euro payments expected over the next few years on the achievement of certain pre-defined milestones. In addition, Ark will receive royalties on sales of a Boehringer Ingelheim product for the treatment of patients in certain cardiovascular related indication areas for which Ark is able to secure and maintain a valid patent. There is increasing interest in the use of drugs which affect the renin-angiotensin system (a natural hormone cascade) in treating vascular related conditions. Ongoing clinical studies such as Boehringer Ingelheim’s PROFESS® and ONTARGETTM/ TRANSCEND trial program1 are being performed in order to accumulate clinical evidence about their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of such conditions. Market research data suggest the sales of these compounds is likely to increase significantly in the future as physicians switch to newer therapies in this growing market, driven by population aging and an increasing prevalence of vascular Ark’s intellectual property encompasses a fundamental discovery that chemicals within the body’s renin- angiotensin system play a significant role in determining the ability of mitochondria2 to generate the energy for cells to survive. The scope of Ark’s intellectual property covers the use of all agents which affect the renin-angiotensin system for the treatment of complex vascular-related and metabolic disorders. Dr Nigel Parker, Chief Executive of Ark Therapeutics, commented: “The novel work of Ark’s scientists and collaborators has contributed to a wider understanding of the potential utility of this class of drugs in a range of disorders. Whilst Boehringer Ingelheim is the first to acknowledge the importance of Ark’s discoveries in these areas, Ark may grant further licences in the future to other companies.” Paul Higham, Director of Commercial Development at Ark, commented: “We are pleased to have finalised this agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim in this very significant indication. We look forward to what we all hope will be the successful completion of their clinical studies and to the registration of Boehringer Ingelheim’s products in these important areas of unmet need.” 1 PROFESS®: PReventiOn regimen For Effectively avoiding Second Stroke ONTARGETTM: ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial TRANSCEND: Telmisartan Randomized AssessmeNt Study in aCE iNtolerant subjects with cardiovascular Disease 2 Mitochondria are cellular substructures considered to be the power station of the cell Ark Therapeutics Group plc
+4420 7388 7722
Dr Nigel Parker, CEO Paul Higham Director of Commercial Development Financial Dynamics
+4420 7831 3113
Ark Therapeutics Group plc
Ark is an emerging specialist healthcare group (the “Group”) with one marketed product and four further lead products in late stage
clinical development. Capitalising on over ten years of research in vascular biology and gene-based medicine, Ark has a balanced
portfolio of proprietary healthcare products targeted at specific unmet clinical needs predominantly with within vascular disease and
cancer. These are large and growing markets, where opportunities exist for effective new products to generate significant revenues.
Ark’s products are sourced from related but largely non-dependent technologies within the Group and have been selected to enable Ark
to take each product through development and to benefit from Orphan Drug Status and/or Fast Track Designation, as appropriate. The
Group generally retains ownership of its product candidates throughout clinical development and intends to conduct it’s own sales and
marketing in certain territories as well as securing marketing partners in others.
The Group has operations in London, UK and Kuopio, Finland.
Ark’s shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange (AKT.L).
This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" which include all statements other than statements of historical facts,
including, without limitation, those regarding the Group's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for
future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to the Group's products and services), and any statements
preceded by, followed by or that include forward-looking terminology such as the words "targets", "believes", "estimates", "expects",
"aims", "intends", "will", "can", "may", "anticipates", "would", "should", "could" or similar expressions or the negative thereof. Such
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the Group's control that
could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different from future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous
assumptions regarding the Group's present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Group will operate in the
future. Among the important factors that could cause the Group's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from
those in forward-looking statements include those relating to Ark’s funding requirements, regulatory approvals, clinical trials, reliance on
third parties, intellectual property, key personnel and other factors. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this
announcement. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-
looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change
in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are
cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statement.
Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it
operates globally with 152 affiliates in 45 countries and more than 34,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned
company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for
human and veterinary medicine.
In 2003, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 7.4 billion euro while spending more than one fifth of net sales in its largest business
segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.
For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

Source: http://www.finbio.net/download/press_releases/Ark1.4.05.pdf