BTG Initiates Clinical Study of Novel Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

London, UK, 6 March 2008: BTG plc (LSE: BGC), the life sciences company, announces that dosing has commenced in a Phase I clinical study of BGC20-0134, a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis.

The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will assess the pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of single and multiple oral doses of BGC20-0134 in healthy volunteers.

Louise Makin, BTG’s chief executive officer, commented: “The effective treatment of multiple sclerosis remains a significant unmet need. We are pleased to have started clinical development of BGC20-0134, which has the potential to address different forms of the disease and has the advantage of being an oral product.”

Although the cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown, there is strong evidence that autoimmune mechanisms are involved in its development. T-cell infiltration into the central nervous system and resultant dysregulation of key pro-inflammatory cytokines leads to myelin loss, neuronal damage and the onset of symptoms and disability. BGC20-0134 is a novel structured lipid designed to restore the balance between pro-inflammatory (e.g. IL-1b and TNFα) and anti-inflammatory (e.g. TGFb1) cytokines.

In a pilot study of a prototype compound, patients with the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis experienced clinical benefits including decreases in both relapse rates and EDSS scores (a standard measure of disability in multiple sclerosis), together with improvements in pain and cognitive endpoints. In preclinical models of multiple sclerosis, the potency of BGC20-0134 was shown to be three times that of the prototype compound.

For further information contact:

BTG

Andy Burrows, Director of Investor Relations

+44 (0)20 7575 1741; mobile: +44 (0)7990 530605

Christine Soden, Chief Financial Officer

+44 (0)20 7575 1591
 

Financial Dynamics

Ben Atwell

+44 (0)20 7831 3113


About BTG

BTG in-licenses, develops and commercialises pharmaceuticals principally in the areas of neuroscience and oncology. The company has a substantial and growing revenue stream of royalties from out-licensed products and a broad, expanding internal pipeline of development programmes. BTG operates from offices in London, Philadelphia and Osaka. For further information, visit: www.btgplc.com .