Vantia Therapeutics’ Pipeline Continues to Mature

SOUTHAMPTON, England - VA106483 Completes Phase IIa Trial and VA111913 Completes Phase I
Dosing

Vantia Therapeutics, a company focusing on first-in-class
therapies for unmet medical needs, announces further clinical trial progress
with its two lead development compounds, VA106483 for nocturia associated
with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and VA111913 for dysmenorrhoea. The
Phase IIa trial of VA106483 has completed, while dosing is complete in the
Phase I trial of VA111913. With this news and developments in Vantia’s
preclinical pipeline, the company is continuing to generate value from its
extensive library of small molecule antagonists of hormones and proteases.

Following the completion of the 27-patient Phase IIa trial of
VA106483, a vasopressin agonist, results are expected in H1 2009, with the
Phase IIb study expected to start in the second half of the year. Up to 200
males with nocturia are expected to be involved in this dose-finding
placebo-controlled study, which is expected to complete in the first half of
2010.

Given Vantia Therapeutics’ strategy of developing products to
the end of proof of concept/Phase IIb trials, the product is expected to be
outlicensed for further development after the Phase IIb results. Nocturia in
BPH is believed to represent a potential market in excess of $1bn, and
VA106483’s potential in follow-on indications such as overactive bladder and
general nocturia could add significant extra value.

The Phase I trial for VA111913 has recruited the last of its
99 volunteers, and is also expected to report data in H1 2009. Phase IIa
trials are expected to start in the second half of this year, involving over
100 patients and completing in H2 2010. VA111913 is a vasopressin antagonist,
with dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) believed to represent a
multibillion dollar market for which there is currently no targeted therapy.

There has also been progress in Vantia Therapeutics’
preclinical portfolio. The lead indications for the kallikrein inhibitor
candidate VA118020, which moved into preclinical development at the end of
last year, will be asthma and COPD. Clinical trials are expected to start in
2010. The company has also initiated a new programme involving an oral plasma
kallikrein inhibitor which may have potential in the treatment of hereditary
angioedema (HAE). HAE, which is thought to affect up to 15,000 people world
wide, is characterised by episodes of swelling in various parts of the body
including the airways. It can lead to pain, nausea, vomiting and death by
asphyxiation, and an oral treatment would be expected to provide advantages
over existing therapies.

Dr Jim Phillips, CEO of Vantia Therapeutics, said, ‘Vantia is
pleased to report that its two lead drug candidates continue to make clinical
progress, and is looking forward to the trial results. As the next
development steps proceed we will be engaging with potential partners for
these products. In addition, our preclinical progress emphasises the ability
of Vantia’s small molecule library to populate our pipeline and our expertise
in this area.’

Notes to Editors

About Vantia Therapeutics:

Vantia Therapeutics is a UK-based R&D company focused on
first-in-class therapies for recognised markets which are underserved by
current therapies. Formed in 2008 as a spin-out of Ferring Research Ltd’s
small molecule R&D, it has two clinical phase products, VA106483 for the
treatment of nocturia in BPH patients and VA111913 for the treatment of
dysmenorrhoea, as well as preclinical and discovery programmes based on
protease inhibition with potential in the areas of oncology and inflammation.
The company’s investors include MVM Life Science Partners, SV Life Sciences
and Novo A/S. Vantia Therapeutics is situated on Southampton Science Park,
UK, where it occupies 10,000 sq ft of chemistry and biology facilities. For
further information, please go to www.vantiatherapeutics.com.

About nocturia:

Nocturia (defined as waking to void at night) is a common
condition, with prevalence increasing markedly with age. It is often the
presenting symptom of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) with at
least 70% of BPH patients complaining of nocturia. Whilst some
symptoms of BPH are successfully addressed by the standard BPH therapies of
alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, nocturia remains
inadequately treated. With estimates putting the number of BPH/nocturia
sufferers at 55 million in the seven largest markets world wide, and only 10%
of these believed to be receiving any kind of treatment, it is a clear area
of unmet medical need estimated to be worth in excess of $500m. The hormone
vasopressin is involved in the regulation of the body’s water content and as
a vasopressin agonist VA106483 has been shown to act as an anti-diuretic.

About dysmenorrhoea:

Current treatments for dysmenorrhoea include over-the-counter
(OTC) painkillers such as the NSAIDs naproxen and ibuprofen. Similar
approaches are also taken by GPs and obstetrician/gynaecologists, as well as
the off-label use of oral contraceptives. Vasopressin levels are raised in
women with dysmenorrhoea, with an abundance of V1a receptors at in the
uterus, and it is believed that as a vasopressin antagonist VA111913
decreases abnormal smooth muscle contractility. There is the potential for
VA111913 to be used both as a treatment and for prevention of dysmenorrhoea.

Contact details:

Vantia Therapeutics
Dr Jim Phillips, CEO +44(0)238-076-3433
ir@vantiatherapeutics.com +44(0)7515-397176

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Chris Gardner, Mark Swallow, Emma Palmer Foster +44(0)207-638-9571
chris.gardner@citigatedr.co.uk / mark.swallow@citigatedr.co.uk /
emma.palmer@citigatedr.co.uk

Source: Vantia Therapeutics

Contact details: Vantia Therapeutics: Dr Jim Phillips, CEO, +44(0)238-076-3433; ir at vantiatherapeutics.com, +44(0)7515-397176; Citigate Dewe Rogerson: Chris Gardner, Mark Swallow, Emma Palmer Foster, +44(0)207-638-9571, chris.gardner at citigatedr.co.uk / mark.swallow at citigatedr.co.uk / emma.palmer at citigatedr.co.uk