Novogen - Cardiovascular Drug Progress report

NOVOGEN LIMITED 2002-05-29 ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Sydney

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Australian pharmaceutical company, Novogen Limited, has commenced the
human clinical trialling phase of its NV-04 cardiovascular drug
program. The Phase I clinical trial in human volunteers is being
conducted at the Baker Medical Research institute in Melbourne.

The objective is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the
Novogen drug and to determine its effect on widening of blood vessels
(dilatation) which is a mechanism of enhancing blood flow and
reducing blood pressure.

The purpose of the trial in healthy subjects is to confirm favourable
results obtained in animals in which improved dilatation of blood
vessels has been demonstrated with the drug.

Reduced dilatation of arteries is part of the disease process in
patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood
cholesterol and diabetes.

In separate animal research projects undertaken by the Melbourne
research team at the Baker Medical Research Institute it has been
shown previously that NV-04 and closely related compounds from the
Novogen library promote blood vessel relaxation, lower blood
pressure, act as antioxidants and inhibit smooth muscle cell growth
in blood vessels, factors contributing to build up of obstructive
vascular plaques or atherosclerosis.

Novogen's Research Director, Professor Alan Husband, said "Not only
have laboratory studies demonstrated that the synthetic derivative
NV-04 was effective, but its derivation from naturally occurring
compounds meant it was expected to be sufficiently safe to be
administered over long periods without side effects.

"The commercial potential for the NV-04 program is significant with
an estimated US$17.7 billion spent annually on cardiovascular drugs
in the United States alone," Prof Husband said,

-in view of the anticipated low side effect profile of this class of
compounds, we expect to have a share of this growing market."

The NV-04 program has been assisted by an award of $3.75m through
the Australian Government's R&D START Program.

For further
Information: Professor Alan Husband, Research Director, Novogen Ltd
Mr Christopher Naughton, Managing Director, Novogen Ltd.
Tel (02) 9878 0088 http://novogen.com