LONDON, United Kingdom - 4 June 2026 - Vantage Biosciences Ltd, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing oral therapeutics for diabetes-associated vision loss, today announced that the World Health Organization (WHO) has selected “oruvestat” as the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for its investigational candidate, previously referred to by the development code VX-01.

The INN “oruvestat” provides a single, globally recognised generic name for the molecule, supporting consistent identification by clinicians, regulators, researchers and patients worldwide as the programme advances through clinical development.

Oruvestat (VX-01) is an orally administered, investigational small molecule. It is currently being evaluated in VX01-DR-201, a Phase 2,double-masked, randomised, placebo-controlled study assessing the efficacy and safety of orally administered oruvestat in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

AboutNon-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)

Diabetic retinopathy is a common neurovascular complication of diabetes and a leading cause of preventable vision loss among working-age adults.Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy represents an earlier stage of the disease, during which progressive retinal microvascular damage can advance toward sight-threatening complications. Current management options at this stage remain limited, and there is a substantial unmet need for well-tolerated,convenient treatments, including oral therapies, that can be introduced earlierin the disease course.

AboutOruvestat (VX-01)

Oruvestat (VX-01) is Vantage Biosciences’ lead investigational candidate,an orally administered small molecule in development for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The candidate is currently being studied in the Phase 2 VX01-DR-201 clinical trial.

AboutVantage Biosciences

Vantage Biosciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, focused on developing oral therapeutics for diabetes-associated vision loss and related diseases of high unmet need. Its lead programme, oruvestat (VX-01), is in Phase 2 clinical development for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The company is also advancing an earlier-stage research programme in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). For more information, visit www.vantage-biosciences.com or follow Vantage Biosciences on Linked In.