SOUTHAMPTON, England, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Vantia Therapeutics, an emerging pharmaceutical company developing novel, small molecule drugs targeting large, underserved medical markets, announces positive results from a Phase IIa clinical trial of its lead development compound VA106483 for nocturia. The trial showed that oral VA106483 was successful in producing a predictable and sustained anti-diuretic effect in patients, as determined by increased osmolality and decreased urine output. The study also found that VA106483 was generally well tolerated among the patient population.

Nocturia (defined as waking frequently to urinate at night thereby disturbing sleep significantly) is a common condition, with prevalence increasing markedly with age. It is often the presenting symptom in men with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and affects at least 70% of BPH patients. There is currently no adequate treatment for nocturia and it represents a potential market estimated at more than US$500 million.

VA106483 is a novel small molecule drug candidate that exerts its effect directly in the kidney by binding to vasopressin (V2) receptors, which regulate water balance. It was discovered by Vantia from its extensive drug candidate library.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response study was designed to investigate the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of single and repeated oral doses of VA106483. The trial involved 27 elderly men aged 65 years or more with a history of nocturia.

Based on these results, Vantia now plans to advance VA106483 into a larger Phase IIb clinical efficacy study in the second half of 2009.

Dr Jim Phillips, CEO of Vantia Therapeutics, said 'VA106483 was discovered and has been developed by Vantia based on its small molecule drug development expertise and is the first of several potentially high-value drug candidates in our pipeline. The clinical results for VA106483 are very encouraging and we look forward to advancing it into the next stages of clinical development. These results will also further highlight the value of this new drug candidate as we progress partnership discussions in parallel. '

Notes to Editors:

About Vantia Therapeutics

Vantia Therapeutics is an emerging pharmaceutical company developing novel, small molecule drugs targeting large, underserved medical markets. Formed in 2008 as a spin-out of Ferring Research Ltd's small molecule RD, it has two clinical phase products, VA106483 for the treatment of nocturia in BPH patients and VA111913 for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea, as well as preclinical and discovery programmes based on protease inhibition with potential in the areas of oncology and inflammation. The company's investors include MVM Life Science Partners, SV Life Sciences and Novo A/S. Vantia Therapeutics is situated on Southampton Science Park, UK, where it occupies 10,000 sq ft of chemistry and biology facilities. For further information, please go to http://www.vantiatherapeutics.com.

About nocturia

Nocturia (defined as waking to void at night) is a common condition, with prevalence increasing markedly with age. It is often the presenting symptom of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) with at least 70% of BPH patients complaining of nocturia. Whilst some symptoms of BPH are successfully addressed by the standard BPH therapies of alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, nocturia remains inadequately treated. With estimates putting the number of BPH/nocturia sufferers at 55 million in the seven largest markets world wide, and only 10% of these believed to be receiving any kind of treatment, it is a clear area of unmet medical need estimated to be worth in excess of $500m. The hormone vasopressin is involved in the regulation of the body's water content and as a vasopressin agonist VA106483 has been shown to act as an anti-diuretic.

Contact details: Vantia Therapeutics Dr Jim Phillips, CEO, +44(0)238-076-3433 info@vantia.com, +44(0)7515-397176 Citigate Dewe Rogerson Chris Gardner, Mark Swallow, Helena Galilee, +44(0)207-638-9571 vantia@citigatedr.co.uk

Contact details: Vantia Therapeutics, Dr Jim Phillips, CEO, +44(0)238-076-3433, info@vantia.com, +44(0)7515-397176; Citigate Dewe Rogerson, Chris Gardner, Mark Swallow, Helena Galilee, +44(0)207-638-9571, vantia@citigatedr.co.uk