ValiRx PLC

("ValiRx" or the "Company")

Operational Update

London, UK - ValiRx Plc (AIM: VAL), a life science company focusing on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women's health, is pleased to announce today the signature of a lease for laboratory space at MediCity (Nottingham). We are also pleased to confirm the permanent appointment of Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart as Chief Scientific Officer ("CSO").

Laboratory Lease

MediCity (Nottingham) is part of Pioneer Group, https://thepioneergroup.com/locations/medicity-nottingham/. Conveniently located in the East Midlands, MediCity has access to the local and national biotech community, access to quality talent from nearby universities and flexible laboratory space.  The facilities confirmed under this lease agreement consist of a 910 square foot laboratory space, suitable for 6-8 lab-based staff members.  Services provided include laboratory support, access to shared equipment and social events.

This completes the first stage of the establishment of ValiRx's internal translational Contract Research Organisation ("tCRO") and forms the basis of the overall tCRO strategy. Work now continues on building a first-class science and operational team and the implementation of testing techniques that will help to improve biological understanding of ValiRx's collaborative development pipeline and, in due course, third party services.

Chief Scientific Officer

Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart was appointed as Interim CSO for ValiRx in 2022 under a consultancy arrangement.   We are delighted to announce that Cathy has agreed to become CSO on a permanent basis, focusing on developing a risk-balanced, collaborative preclinical pipeline. She will also actively support the Company strategically through membership of the Executive team and as a Board observer.

ValiRx CEO, Dr Suzy Dilly commented: "Working with Cathy in the capacity as Interim CSO over the past few months has demonstrated the value of the role and that her expertise is an excellent fit for the challenges that ValiRx faces, so I am delighted to be able to confirm that she's agreed to convert to a permanent role.  Her knowledge of early-stage drug development and extensive contacts in the industry will enhance our ability to identify and translate science into effective treatments.

"Additionally, confirming the signing of the laboratory lease enables us to build the lab team, accelerate development of our internal programmes at reduced cost and initiates the launch of the external tCRO service offering."

ValiRx CSO, Dr Cathy Tralau-Stewart added: "ValiRx is progressing an innovative portfolio of projects to address the important areas of oncology and the unmet need in the women's health space. I have enjoyed working with the ValiRx team and am excited to accept a permanent role and to be part of building its future. The development of the tCRO is an important step forward and will fill the need for robust and reliable validated translational models in these areas."

The Directors of the Company take responsibility for this announcement.

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Notes for Editors

About ValiRx

ValiRx is a life science company focused on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women's health, accelerating the translation of innovative science into impactful medicines to improve patient lives.

ValiRx provides the scientific, financial, and commercial framework for enabling rapid translation of innovative science into clinical development.

Using its extensive and proven experience in research and drug development, the team at ValiRx selects and incubates promising novel drug candidates and guides them through an optimised process of development, from pre-clinical studies to clinic and investor-ready assets.

ValiRx connects diverse disciplines across scientific, technical, and commercial domains, with the aim of achieving a more streamlined, less costly, drug development process. The team works closely with carefully selected collaborators and leverages the combined expertise required for science to advance.

Lead candidates from ValiRx's portfolio are outlicensed or partnered with investors through ValiRx subsidiary companies for further clinical development and commercialisation. 

ValiRx listed on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange in October 2006 and trades under the ticker symbol: VAL.

For further information, visit: www.valirx.com

Cautionary statement

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any expected future events or results expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Persons receiving this announcement should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, regulation or accounting standard, the Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.