Evgen Pharma plc

 ("Evgen" or the "Company")

Evgen announces collaboration with Università Sapienza di Roma
to evaluate radiosensitisation effects of lead asset, SFX-01

Alderley Park, UK - 25 May 2022: Evgen Pharma plc (AIM: EVG), a clinical stage drug development company developing sulforaphane-based medicines for the treatment of cancer and other indications, announces a collaboration with Prof. Francesco Marampon, of Università Sapienza di Roma (La Sapienza) to investigate potential radiosensitisation effects of the Company's lead asset, SFX-01.

The aim of radiosensitisation is to make tumour cells more sensitive to radiation therapy and through this, to improve effectiveness.

SFX-01 is a patented composition of synthetic sulforaphane and alpha-cyclodextrin. Previous studies of the compound have shown an increase in sensitivity of cancer cells to radiotherapy in its presence. This was observed in in vitro and in vivo models of glioblastoma. Results of the study were published in a peer reviewed journal, Pharmaceuticals, in 2021 (Colapietro et al 2021).

The collaboration with La Sapienza seeks to evaluate the radiosensitisation effects of SFX-01 in a different tumour type and to provide further insights into its mechanism of action. In vitro experiments will investigate the ability of SFX-01 to increase the sensitivity of cells to radiotherapy and allow the use of lower radiation doses. Factors that will be investigated include the inhibitory effects of SFX-01 on cell metabolism, focusing on proliferation, cell cycle distribution and induction of death.

Dr Huw Jones, Evgen CEO, commented: "This new collaboration with Prof. Marampon's group aims to gain further insights into the striking effects seen with SFX-01 in combination with radiotherapy. If radiosensitisation is a feature of SFX-01, this could be an important step forward in the treatment of cancers requiring radiotherapy. This will be our 14^th academic collaboration and is part of our ongoing strategy to add to the broad dataset already in place of SFX-01's mode of action and safety features."

Prof. Francesco Marampon, of Università Sapienza di Roma, Lead Investigator, commented: "Based on previous promising data with SFX-01, we will be looking to understand the effects of SFX-01 as a potential radiosensitiser for cancer patients. The ultimate aim is to improve the impact of radiotherapy and facilitate recovery."  

Evgen's core technology is Sulforadex®, a method for synthesising and stabilising the naturally occurring compound sulforaphane and novel proprietary analogues based on sulforaphane. Sulforaphanes have shown potential benefits in oncology and inflammation by binding with several targets of particular relevance in cancer.

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About Evgen Pharma plc 

Evgen Pharma is a clinical stage drug development company developing sulforaphane based medicines for the treatment of multiple diseases. The Company's core technology is Sulforadex®, a method for synthesising and stabilising the naturally occurring compound sulforaphane and novel proprietary analogues based on sulforaphane. 

The Company's lead asset, SFX-01, is a patented composition of synthetic sulforaphane and alpha-cyclodextrin and has undergone clinical trials for oestrogen-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer. It will be entering the clinic in glioma/glioblastoma later in 2022.  In September 2021 the FDA granted Orphan Drug status to SFX-01 in malignant glioma.

The Company also has a wide number of collaborations with leading academic centres in the UK, Europe and AsiaPac as part of the continuing strategy to build the data set of safety and efficacy around the compound. With respect to non-core areas, Evgen signed an outlicensing deal with JuvLife, the dietary products and functional foods division of Juvenescence Ltd, for the development of a naturally-sourced sulforaphane nutritional health supplement, stabilised using Evgen's Sulforadex® technology.

The Company commenced operations in January 2008 and has its headquarters and registered office at Alderley Park, Cheshire.  It joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in October 2015 and trades under the ticker symbol EVG.  

For further information, please visit: www.evgen.com