Evgen Pharma plc

("Evgen" or "the Company" or "the Group")

Further evidence of radiosensitisation by SFX-01 in Rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Presentation of in vitro results at ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress

Alderley Park, UK - 16 March 2023: Evgen Pharma plc (AIM: EVG), a clinical stage drug development company developing sulforaphane-based medicines, announces that findings from its partnership with Prof. Francesco Marampon, Department of Radiotherapy, Sapienza University of Rome, in collaboration with Dr Simona Camero of Prof. Francesca Megiorni's research group (Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome), will be presented in a poster at the ESMO Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Congress (March 20-22), in Lugano Switzerland.

The scientific work evaluates, for the first time, the anti-tumour activity of SFX-01 in two preclinical cellular models of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumours, the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in childhood. This disease is mostly diagnosed in children under 10 years old.

The in vitro data showed that SFX-01 reduced tumour cell growth by inducing G2 cell cycle arrest and triggering early-apoptosis (cell death). In addition, SFX-01 was shown to be effective both as a single agent and in combination with radiotherapy where it was found to be synergistic; it created a more positive outcome than would be expected by simply adding the two agents together.

The results also showed that SFX-01 was able to reduce tumour cell growth in clinically relevant radioresistant RMS cells, drastically inhibiting the formation of cancer stem cell-derived tumourspheres (rabdospheres).

Further detail of Dr Camero's work will be available via the published abstract and poster at the congress. The collaboration with La Sapienza is ongoing and management looks forward to sharing further updates in due course.

Dr Huw Jones, Evgen CEO, commented:

"The collaboration with Prof. Marampon's group is giving us further insight into the mechanisms by which SFX-01 exerts its antitumour effects and its potential for use alongside radiotherapy. We are particularly interested to see the effects on radioresistant cells since resistance to radiotherapy is a significant challenge for treatment in metastatic disease. If these findings translate to the clinic, SFX-01 could be highly impactful for patients with this hard to treat disease."

Prof. Francesco Marampon, of Università Sapienza di Roma, Lead Investigator, added:

"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."

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue, these sarcomas can develop in muscle, fat, blood vessels, or in any of the other tissues that support, surround and protect the organs of the body. RMS can occur at any age, but it most often affects children. The outlook (prognosis) and treatment decisions depend on the type of rhabdomyosarcoma, where it starts, tumour size and whether the cancer has spread (metastasized). Treatment is usually with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The long-term outcomes in patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma remain poor.

SFX-01 is a patented composition of synthetic sulforaphane and alpha-cyclodextrin. The Company has already completed three trials in patients, including a positive open label trial in metastatic breast cancer using the prototype capsule formulation. 

Evgen's core technology is Sulforadex®, a method for synthesising and stabilising sulforaphane and novel proprietary analogues based on sulforaphane. Sulforaphanes have shown potential benefits in neurodevelopmental disorders, oncology and inflammatory conditions. SFX-01, Evgen's lead asset, is the only stabilised sulforaphane suitable for clinical research and eventual approval as a medicine.

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Notes to Editors

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. 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 safety and efficacy data sets around the compound. With respect to non-core areas, Evgen signed an out-licensing 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. Evgen also has a licensing deal with STALICLA SA in neurodevelopmental disorders and schizophrenia.

The Company has its headquarters and registered office at Alderley Park, Cheshire. It is listed on AIM in London and trades under the ticker symbol EVG.  

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