Clinical results from Phase I

RNS Number : 3751C

Syntopix Group plc

12 November 2009

 

12 November 2009

Syntopix Group plc

("Syntopix" or "the Company")

Positive clinical results from Phase II cosmetic study 

Syntopix Group plc (AIM:SYN), the speciality research and development company focused on the discovery of topical antimicrobials for healthcare and pharmaceutical applications, is pleased to announce  positive results for its lead dermatological compound SYN0126, for the treatment of acneic  skin,  from  a Phase II randomised, blinded cosmetic study in subjects with spot-prone skin. 

SYN0126 is a permitted cosmetic ingredient, which unlike the majority of prescription products already on the market, targets spots before redness sets in.  Research was conducted in 70 subjects with impure skin who used formulations containing the Syntopix compound SYN0126, either alone or in combination with the Company's lipid-targeted antioxidant SYN0854, once daily for eight weeks. The trial demonstrated that formulations containing the Syntopix compounds produced a greater than 30% mean reduction in total spot count over an eight week period, outperforming a marketed cosmetic product containing 2% salicylic acid.  The latter is a popular ingredient found in many cosmetic products and which was included in the Syntopix formulations.  Both Syntopix formulations were well tolerated with good safety profiles.

The trial took place in Germany and started in January 2009. The study was randomised, blinded design with positive (marketed product) and negative (vehicle) controls. By the end of the study, the reduction in non-inflamed spots (comedones) was statistically highly significant for both of the Syntopix formulations and approaching the efficacy seen with a number of topical prescription treatments. In contrast, the negative control managed a mean reduction in non-inflamed spots of just 9.8% whilst the group using the marketed product (positive control) recorded a 7.8% mean increase. It is expected that a further Phase II cosmetic study will take place in the second half of 2010.

Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Syntopix, said: "We believe that SYN0126 has the potential to be a significant step forward in the management of acneic skin, a condition that affects 85% of the population at some stage during their lifetime. This study confirms that our rigorous screening programme is yielding results.  We are now actively pursuing discussions with leading cosmetic and consumer healthcare companies to investigate the possibility of securing a licensing agreement  for  SYN0126 and are confident that the positive results from this study will lead to commercial deals in the near future."

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For further information, please contact:

Syntopix Group plc
Dr Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer	[phone]
	www.syntopix.com

Zeus Capital Ltd
Ross Andrews	Tel: [phone]
	www.zeuscapital.co.uk

Media enquiries:

Abchurch Communications
Sarah Hollins / Stephanie Cuthbert	Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]	www.abchurch-group.com

  Notes to editors

Syntopix is a specialised research and development business, focusing on topical antimicrobial innovations for products in consumer healthcare and pharmaceutical markets. The Company was founded in 2003 as a spin-out from the University of Leeds by Dr Jon Cove and Dr Anne Eady, two of the leading experts in skin microbiology, with initial funding from The Wellcome Trust.

Syntopix's strategy is to seek to reduce the risks and costs of drug discovery and development by discovering novel uses for known compounds. The Company concentrates on compounds and combinations of compounds that have a history of use in man; and that have well characterised properties, for example antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. The Company currently has 10 granted UK patent applications.

Syntopix is currently concentrating on acne and has identified a pipeline of lead drug candidates that it intends to take through pre-clinical and, as appropriate, clinical trials. The Company intends to out-license products to commercial partners on obtaining proof of principle and to seek co-development partnerships.

The Company is based at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation in Bradford, giving access to the expertise in skin biology, formulation and toxicology at the universities of Bradford and Leeds.

Syntopix' shareholders include Techtran Group Limited (a subsidiary of IP Group plc), The Wellcome Trust Limited, University of Leeds Limited and Ridings Early Growth Investment Company Limited. Syntopix joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in March 2006.

For more information, please visit our website at www.syntopix.com.

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