Any ideas anyone?

Studies offer hope for Phytopharm Parkinson's treatment

KBC Peel Hunt doubles Phytopharm TP to 50p on Cogane results, keeps buy

WOW---who was lucky enough to be holding this one today! Looks as though all pxs fans have found another star and it can go into your isa. I'm in for a few before the US open. It might fall back but the treatment/success looks good.

Its the first 'doubler' in a day I've had since those heady tech days!

UPDATE: Phytopharm Shares Soar On Early Cogane Promise





(Adds detail on drug's potential, analyst comment, stock rating)


By Jason Douglas
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

LONDON -(Dow Jones)- Shares in drug maker Phytopharm PLC (PYM.LN) more than quadrupled Wednesday after it said its experimental Parkinson's disease treatment Cogane showed promise in two early-stage studies.

Phytopharm said a study funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a Parkinson's research charity founded by the Hollywood actor, showed use of Cogane led to a 43% reduction in Parkinson's symptoms among monkeys given a drug to replicate those symptoms.

This type of study in monkeys is considered the gold-standard model for assessing experimental Parkinson's medicines before testing them on humans, according to Jonathan Brochtie, a senior scientist at Toronto West Hospital who conducted the study.

"Cogane holds the promise to be the first in a new class of treatments," he said.

A second study in a small number of healthy human volunteers showed Cogane was safe and also demonstrated some evidence of pharmacological activity, Phytopharm said.

The firm now plans a phase II clinical study of Cogane in patients next year.

At 1435 GMT, shares in Phytopharm were 18.87 pence higher at 25 pence, making it the biggest riser in a 0.5% higher FTSE Fledging index.

Cogane is far from starting the big human trials needed to win regulatory approval. But Paul Cuddon, an analyst at Phytopharm's broker KBC Peel Hunt, said the results of these trials show real promise because this type of primate trial has been shown to be "highly predictive" of a similar response in humans. He rates the stock "buy" and Wednesday upped his price target to 50 pence from 25 pence.

It has been a tough year for Phytopharm. The stock has languished ever since a planned collaboration with Unilever NV (UNA.AE) to develop a Slim Fast diet drink based on the hoodia plant was called off last November.

Robin Davison, an analyst at Edison Investment Research, said Wednesday's share price rise shows investors are still interested in Phytopharm.

"The company has shown it still has a drug, where previously people had written them off," said Davison.

It might also signal renewed interest in the U.K. small-cap drug sector, which has suffered from a dearth of funds and several company failures, he added.

Company Web site: www.phytopharm.com

IMHO, ....you can forget the 4x jump in sp - it was the ONLY good news (any ?) we've had since the shares were 1....way back when they thought their product would cure obesity....can anyone remember how many years that was ago..
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clearly rubbish, it limps on . . . . . . . . . . . .

Now they have the nerve to build-up prospects of untold wealth on the basis of a phI result (ie it doen't kill you).....and this fundraising will be hugely dilutive.....

I really wonder if this isn't "...more of the same..." - - - I really object to phrases like "...potentially addresses a large and as of yet unmet medical need..." - this adds nothing to the effacy of their product, it is IMHO mere puff, or at worse it's ramping, - even before the Trials are mid-way. Not the expected PR from a full-list company.
=Grr.
FWIW, I note the Co says the money will be used for various operational uses as well as PhII trials - and the risk of failure is huge even from the start of PhII.
Maybe wait for the documents . . . .
DYOR

pym despite its problems in the past has huge potential for cognane - potential market of billions - so far trials gone well - also has other products - just need some more patience - personally i am going to give pym to end 2010 to improve sp with hopefully decent rns throughout the year - should reach 50p imo easily - slow share clinical trials etc take time - more patience needed - sorry for anyone who bought in 30p+ - i will be taking my 8 for 3 placement / open offer

gibby, are you sure - for there is "no evidence" ( ie "yet") that their product works.
However, there is evidence the sp has been pushed up prior to the RNS - and I don't like this - just review the volume from a week prior....

I accept yr timescale - "end-of2010" - in a year there should be some "news" - but it won't be very much to impress current holders who have been massivly diluted by this Offer.

Furthermore, I recall reading that when a stock is "hot" the City can raise all the funds req'd. Only when it might "stick" are the investors asked....

Maybe we'll have to Agree to Disagree; as I'm tempted to ignore this Attractive Offer.....and maybe put the money to a nice present to Me, like a 12MP digital Camera......and a nice holiday into the sun, before I can't move for Carbon-Permits.

hangon - i agree its a risk but arent all shares - i am actually only trading with pym from other share profits so if it goes belly up the worst i will do is off set the loss against my cgt - trust me i know pyms history so aware of risk, but invesco for as an example have taken up their full entitlement through their iaml vechicle & if its good enough for them + my research its good enough for me - they have also guaranteed to take up any oo shares not taken up by pi's i believe - but will see how 2010 goes - i am very confident but happy to eat huge slice of humble pie if i am wrong - any how i hope your dealing goes well and profitable where ever you may invest - pym are not my only investment - lots of opportunities out there as i am sure you are aware - GL

Presents data at XVIII WFN World Congress


GODMANCHESTER, Cambridgeshire, U.K. (14 December 2009) - Phytopharm plc (LSE: PYM) ("Phytopharm" or the "Company") announces that Dr Jonathan Brotchie will present data from a "gold-standard" non-clinical study of Cogane, a promising novel oral treatment for Parkinson's disease, at the 50th WFN World Congress on Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders, which is taking place in Miami from 13 - 16 December.


The outcome of this study, an overall 43% decrease in parkinsonian symptoms over 18 weeks administration of Cogane, was first reported by Phytopharm on 14 October 2009 along with the results of a successful safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic trial in healthy volunteers and patients with Parkinson's disease.


Dr Brotchie, a senior scientist at Toronto Western Hospital, who conducted the trials, is a recognised expert in the field of Parkinson's disease and runs one of the world's premier research laboratories for the identification of novel treatments, diagnostics and cures for Parkinson's disease and related disorders.

Isn't it heartening that so much good-news comes at a time when the company is diluting L-T investors and ripping-off new ones? Folk could have bought into this company at any time during the year when there was zippo on the Newsfront...? I wonder if the next 12-months will be a mirror...?

I didn't take-up my placing shares, 'cos I think we was manipulated....the sp graph says it all. See the peaking just days before the placing was ann.

DYOR and bear in mind that the trumpeted product Trial is years away from commercialisation....indeed they'll have to rejig their scratchless-doggy cream in preparation for a further round of Funding, not for Trials....but to service the gardens and upgrade the lawns at their country seat.
Hoodia . . . . I should Coco.
This has been a woeful investment.
EDIT (22Dec09)-up a tad, at 11.5p but Rights takeup is only 51% - yuk.
EDIT (28May2010)-down further today mkes me wonder if this isn't dead? Gibby hopes for a buy-out. Well Hoodia has shown no signs of success...and without that, what's left?
EDIT (22Jy2010)- Oh deary, Director lathered by Options of 1.7million at zero cost (for now), priced below today's price 8p.......exercisable for the next 5years (I thk).Win-Win or what? This stock is a disgrace IMHO.

hangon - you are semi correct - dont all companies manipulate the sp - some far worse than this - but your post is also amusing- i'm not worried if next stage goes well sp will impprove very much - wouldnt ne surprised if a major pharm eventually bought out ptm - probably why invesco have a large stake in pym through one of their subsidaries - until invesco naff off i will be staying - gl

Interim Management Statement.

Phytopharm receives USA regulatory approval to begin Phase II clinical trial of Cogane

About B*** time, I hear!
This outfit has long been resting in a sleepy Cambridge backwater. with only fields, sheep and cows to look at, oh and a large pond at the front. The sp has been a disaster whilst directors have prospered and come/gone.
-Meanwhile retail investors have no whiff of the "weight reduction" technology -(Hoodia)- so, I'm guessing it's dead and burried and explains why originally they were so keen to keep it "pharma" (read long delays before truth is out-DYOR), instead of releasing it as a healthfood which would almost certainly create an income....but then Directors don't want to be associated with such lowly products.
Their dog-scratchy cream was no success and whatever this(news today) is, it's ONLY PhII - grief, . . . . expect a further 5-years before retail shareholders see anything.
Currently abt 8p (was 1.40-ish some while ago . . . . Grief!)
All IMHO + DYOR

Ruddy Nerve!
The company is giving itself away to Execs - Options.
In the past year the sp has fallen from 11p to current 7.5p - Grief are these execs even "turning-up" - - - - - I see little for their cost, perhaps they've been busy painting the decking round the back.
Woof, Woof, -this is a Dog.
EDIT (10Jan11)- Up nearly into double figures(=8p) on some News that didn't make it to RNS - dunno, maybe they have stopped buying the local NewsPaper, saving 150 a year....it can't be important, can it? Yet Fido will still need some bedding...Woof, Woof.

I see this lot are still plugging away!

Half Yearly Report.

Phytopharm undertakes Parkinson's disease study

RNS Number : 2232L

Phytopharm PLC

27 July 2011

28 July 2011


Company Contact: U.K. Investor Relations
Phytopharm plc Contact:
Tim Sharpington CEO FD
Roger Hickling R & John Dineen
D Director Ben Atwell
+44 1480 437 697 +44 207 831 3113
www.phytopharm.com

Cogane(TM) - US FDA Grant Orphan Drug status for treatment of ALS

Phytopharm plc (PYM: London Stock Exchange) ("Phytopharm" or the "Company") today announces that the United States Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) has granted Orphan Drug status to Cogane(TM) (PYM50028) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is the most prevalent form of motor neurone disease, which generally strikes people between 40 and 60 years of age. It is characterised by progressive loss of both lower (spinal cord and brain stem) and upper (cerebral cortex) motor neurones, which leads to severe muscle weakness and wasting, followed by paralysis and death, generally caused by respiratory failure. There is an urgent need for the development of new approaches to this devastating condition. There are estimated to be 20-30,000 people with ALS in the United States with approximately 5,600 new cases diagnosed each year. For a product to gain orphan drug status in the United States, the condition must affect less than 200,000 people in the United States.

As reported in the Company's Interim Results, Cogane(TM) has previously shown promising activity in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of ALS. A study of Cogane(TM) in the genetic "gold standard" in vivo model of ALS is ongoing. This study has the support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a UK based charitable organisation, which has provided a grant to cover the costs of the study. Results from the study are expected in Q4 2011 and, if positive, offers the potential to support a rapid progression into clinical trials of ALS.

Research Update.

Phytopharm plc (PYM: London Stock Exchange) ("Phytopharm" or the "Company") today announces that the European Commission has granted Orphan Drug status to Cogane (PYM50028) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The United States Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) granted Orphan Drug status to Cogane (PYM50028) for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in July 2011

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is the most prevalent form of motor neurone disease, which generally strikes people between 40 and 60 years of age. It is characterised by progressive loss of motor neurones, which eventually leads to death. There is an urgent need for the development of new approaches to this devastating condition. It is estimated that the prevalence of ALS in Europe is 0.5‑1.1 per 10,000. For a product to gain orphan drug status in Europe, the condition must affect less than 5 in 10,000 people in the member states.

As reported in the Company's Interim Results, Cogane has previously shown promising activity in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of ALS. A study of Cogane in the genetic "gold standard" in vivo model of ALS is ongoing. This study has the support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a UK based charitable organisation, which has provided a grant to cover the costs of the study. Results from the study are expected in Q4 2011 and, if positive, offer the potential to support a rapid progression into clinical trials of ALS.

Research Update.

Phytopharm is Awarded a Technology Strategy Board Grant to Support the Development of Myogane in Glaucoma
Phytopharm plc (PYM: London Stock Exchange) ("Phytopharm" or the "Company") today announces that it has been awarded a grant by the Technology Strategy Board to provide funding to support the evaluation of Myogane in an in vivo preclinical model of glaucoma.
Myogane has the potential to be a neuro-protectant treatment of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease of the eye affecting 60 million people and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. Current treatments of glaucoma are predominantly targeted at reducing intra ocular pressure within the eye, however the remains a major unmet medical need for treatments which can slow the underlying neurodegenerative disease process.

Myogane has demonstrated neuro-protective and neuro-restorative effects in a range of neuronal cell types including retinal ganglion cells, which are the cells affected in glaucoma. Myogane exhibits it's effect via the modulation of neurotrophic factors, naturally occurring proteins which protect and promote the growth of neurones and which have been shown to be effective in protecting against neurodegeneration in a number of models of glaucoma.

The study, if positive, will support the further clinical development of Myogane in glaucoma. Myogane is a small molecule drug which has been shown to have good oral bioavailability when dosed once daily in Phase I studies.