ValiRx PLC on Wednesday said it has expanded a pre-existing agreement with the University of Barcelona to test additional molecules as possible drugs for cancer.

ValiRx is a life science company focused on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women’s health.

Under its previous agreement with University of Barcelona, ValiRx conducted a range of experiments over the course of a year.

Initially, a lead series of peptidomimetic therapeutic candidates was assessed in silico, with the top four molecules selected for synthesis and in vitro testing. These cell-based in vitro studies investigated the activity of the four molecules against pancreatic cancer, uterine sarcoma and ovarian cancer cells.

Three of the four molecules selected demonstrated good activity and one of them was then selected for further study in vivo.

ValiRx was confident that while the study didn’t achieve the desired level of anti-cancer activity, the fact that it didn’t demonstrate adverse adverse toxicity either meant further research would be beneficial.

Under the terms of the expanded evaluation agreement, ValiRx will assist with research on an additional series of molecules for a different binding pocket of Kirsten RAt Sarcoma which are within the University of Barcelona’s program.

The new agreement will last for up to four years, with the potential to extend by a further four years.

ValiRx shares were trading 1.5% higher at 9.38 pence each in London on Wednesday afternoon.

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