Syntopix Group plc
08 May 2007
For Immediate Release 8 May 2007
SYNTOPIX GROUP PLC
('Syntopix' or 'the Group')
AGREEMENT TO COMMENCE COSMETIC TRIALS
Syntopix Group plc (AIM: SYN), the drug discovery and development group focused
on dermatological diseases, is pleased to announce that it has signed an
agreement with the Germany-based contract research organisation Bioskin, which
will conduct trials on behalf of the Company with the objective of identifying
potential cosmetic treatments for acne.
Syntopix sees a clear strategic benefit in pursuing both medical and cosmetic
applications for its library of products for the potential treatment of acne.
The cosmetic sector offers Syntopix the opportunity for early revenues as the
regulatory and product approval process is shorter than for medicines. The
global market size for these types of cosmetic products is estimated to be in
excess of $10 billion.
Bioskin will conduct the trials in more than 130 acne sufferers using Syntopix'
library compounds SYN 0126 and a combination of SYN 0126 with SYN 0091. The
trials, which will take place at a series of centres in Germany, will commence
in the early summer and results are anticipated later in the year.
The trial compounds, all of which are suitable for use as cosmetics, are in line
with the Company's strategy of seeking to reduce risk by concentrating on the
change of use and novel combinations of known compounds with well documented
pharmacology and toxicity profiles.
Steve Jones, Syntopix' CEO, commented: 'We are very pleased to have appointed
Bioskin, a contract research organisation focussed on dermatology, to carry out
trials on compounds that we believe have real potential as cosmetic treatments
for acne. Strategically we believe the cosmetic market is attractive as it gives
the Company the opportunity to receive early product revenues.'
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Syntopix Group plc 0845 125 9204
Stephen Jones, Chief Executive Officer
Rod Adams, Chairman
KBC Peel Hunt Ltd 020 7418 8900
Megan MacIntyre
Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000
Mark Court/Mary-Jane Johnson/Catherine Breen
Notes to editors
About Syntopix Group plc
Syntopix, a group focused on the discovery and development of drugs for the
topical treatment of dermatological diseases. 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' 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
safe use in man; and that have well characterised properties, for example
antimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. The Group currently has 10 pending UK
patent applications.
Syntopix is currently concentrating on acne and Staphylococcus aureus infections
and has identified a pipeline of lead drug candidates that it intends to take
through pre-clinical and, as appropriate, clinical trials. The Group intends to
out-license products to commercial partners on obtaining proof of principle and
to seek co-development partnerships.
The Group 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, White Rose
Technology Limited and Ridings Early Growth Investment Company Limited. Syntopix
joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in March 2006.
For further information please visit www.syntopix.com.
About Bioskin
Bioskin GmbH is a full-service Contract Research Organization specialized in
dermatology, offering clinical trials to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic,
nutraceutical and medical device industries. Core expertise includes early stage
Proof-of-Concept studies and advanced bioengineering methods. Bioskin has
clinical units in Hamburg and Berlin, Germany. Multi-centre trials are managed
by project teams based in Hamburg. Services include consulting, protocol
development, project management, monitoring, data management, statistics and
medical writing. Bioskin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Inc., the leading contract developer of topical products in the United
States.
For further information please visit www.bioskin.de.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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