VASTox plc
08 April 2005


For immediate release                                              8 April 2005



                                   VASTox plc
                          ("VASTox" or "the Company")

     VASTox presents progress on its Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy programme

Oxford, UK: 8 April 2005 - VASTox plc (AIM: VOX), the Oxford-based drug
discovery and services business focused on chemical genomics, is pleased to
announce that Professor Kay Davies FRS, CBE, scientific founder of VASTox plc
and Head of Human Anatomy and Genetics at University of Oxford, was invited by
Isis Innovation, a subsidiary of the University of Oxford, to present a
scientific breakthrough in new research, in the field of muscular dystrophy, to
the Oxford Innovation Society.  Professor Davies gave a key note presentation
entitled 'The Challenges of Therapies for Muscular Dystrophy' last night and the
event was well attended by opinion-leaders from major pharmaceutical companies.

Muscular dystrophies are genetic disorders causing lower than normal levels of
the protein dystrophin in the body.  Professor Davies discovered a closely
related protein called utrophin that now forms a promising target for treating
the disease.

In the presentation Professor Davies commented that most current funding for
muscular dystrophy research is focused on approaches such as gene therapy.
Professor Davies highlighted the approach taken by VASTox and her academic
department at Oxford University in using 'small molecules' which offer several
advantages and have more in common with drugs on the market today.

In the new research that Professor Davies reported yesterday she said that the
discovery of several novel structural chemical classes had upregulated utrophin
to therapeutically significant levels.  These new VASTox molecules have
drug-like properties and represent a wider field of candidates for potential
drugs.

Dr Steve Lee, CEO of VASTox, commented: "This exciting research offers a
scientific breakthrough and, together with recent key appointments to our
Scientific Advisory Board and research teams, underpins VASTox's strength in the
discovery of a new treatment for muscular dystrophy."

                                    --ENDS--

Contact details:
VASTox                                                          07766 913898
Steven Lee, Chief Executive Officer

Buchanan Communications                                         020 7466 5000
Tim Anderson / Mark Court / Mary-Jane Johnson

Notes for Editors:

About VASTox

VASTox is a chemical genomics technology company that both provides services to
the pharmaceutical industry, and discovers and develops proprietary novel drugs.
The company's technology platform aims to use high volume, high content
screening using zebrafish and fruitflies to provide a high level of
predictability of the efficacy and toxicity of potential drug compounds in
humans which has the potential to dramatically decrease the time and cost of
drug discovery and development. VASTox was formed in January 2003, from the
University of Oxford, by some of the UK's foremost scientists who have taken a
highly creative approach to the problems involved in drug discovery and who have
a proven record in delivering technological excellence.  The company listed on
the London Stock Exchange AIM in October 2004.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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