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For immediate release  RNS REACH

23 July 2009

    

MINSTER PHARMACEUTICALS PLC

('Minster' or 'the Company')

 

Sabcomeline patent filing

Minster Pharmaceuticals plc (AIM: MPM), the drug development company specialising in neurological and psychiatric disorders, is pleased to announce that it has just received confirmation that it has successfully filed a divisional application in the USA covering a method of adjunct therapy using sabcomeline to treat a psychotic disorder, more particularly to treat the negative and cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Based on an opinion obtained from Minster's US attorney, the Company has confidence that these claims are patentable and should therefore be granted.

The Company believes that sabcomeline has the potential to treat cognitive decline in schizophrenia and that it could be used as an adjunct to atypical neuroleptics, which are prescribed to treat the core symptoms of the illness.

Minster is currently carrying out preparatory work for a proof of principle Phase II study in schizophrenia of sabcomeline as an adjunctive treatment with an atypical neuroleptic drug, some of which are generic. Earlier this year, the Company held a clinical advisory board meeting with leading US psychiatrists, who were very supportive of carrying out such a study. Minster is also conducting laboratory work to upgrade the preclinical package as a permissive step to commencing the planned clinical study.

Sabcomeline is a muscarinic receptor partial agonist, the rights to which Minster acquired from GlaxoSmithKline in 2001.

John Russell, Minster Pharmaceuticals' Chairman, said: 'The filing of this patent in the US marks an important step in the development of sabcomeline as an adjunct therapy in schizophrenia. Cognitive decline is a very serious effect of schizophrenia and represents a significant unmet medical need that we believe sabcomeline has the potential to address.'

For further information:

Minster Pharmaceuticals plc	Tel: +44 (0) 1799 506623
John Russell, Chairman and Interim CEO
Karl Keegan, Chief Financial Officer	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7936 9921
Buchanan Communications	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Mark Court / Rebecca Skye Dietrich / Catherine Breen
Nomura Code Securities Limited	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7776 1200
Chris Collins / Richard Potts

Notes for editors:

About Minster Pharmaceuticals plc

Minster Pharmaceuticals is a drug development company focussed on neurological and psychiatric disorders. Its principal pipeline assets are tonabersat and sabcomeline. Worldwide rights to both compounds were acquired from GlaxoSmithKline and the compounds benefit from comprehensive safety tolerance data as a result of investment by GSK.

Tonabersat is the leading compound in an exciting new class of selective drugs designated as neuronal gap junction blockers. Sabcomeline, a muscarinic receptor partial agonist, has potential in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia.

Minster joined the AIM market in February 2005 and trades under the symbol MPM. For further information please visit www.minsterpharma.com.

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