SkinBioTherapeutics plc
SkinBiotix® platform passes additional external toxicity tests
Scientific progress on track
Manchester, UK - 9 November 2017 - SkinBioTherapeutics plc (AIM: SBTX, the "Company"), a life science company focused on skin health, has passed two additional and final third party cellular toxicity tests for its SkinBiotix® technology.
The in vitro tests, for photo-toxicity (sensitivity to sunlight) and ocular toxicity (effect on eye cells), follow on from the recent first stage cytotoxicity tests, as announced on 3 October 2017
The studies were again conducted by Charles River Laboratories, a Contract Research Organisation (CRO), in accordance with the OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice.
In the photo-toxicity test, the testers were looking to determine whether the SkinBiotix® technology would become toxic to cells when exposed to UV and visible light. The results showed that SkinBiotix® is non-phototoxic.
The second test, for ocular toxicity, was carried out to determine whether SkinBiotix® is toxic to eye cells. This involved measuring for two important components which are predictive of irritation, corneal opacity (cloudiness) and permeability (ability to let fluids pass through the eye). The SkinBiotix® technology also passed this test.
SkinBioTherapeutics will continue developing the technology towards the three applications in skin care, anti-infection and skin repair.
Dr Catherine O'Neill, CEO of SkinBioTherapeutics, commented:
"Since announcing that the SkinBiotix platform passed the key cytotoxicity test in October, we have been focussing on further proving its efficacy.
"With this news today, the technology has passed the three necessary toxicity tests showing that it can be safely applicable across our three target markets.
"We are continuing formulation development and are confident about starting our human studies in 2018."
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.
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For more information, please contact:
SkinBioTherapeutics plc Dr. Cath O'Neill, CEO Doug Quinn, CFO
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Tel: +44 (0) 161 468 2760 |
Cairn Financial Advisers LLP Tony Rawlinson / Emma Earl / Richard Nash
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Tel: +44 (0) 20 7213 0880 |
Turner Pope Investments Ben Turner / James Pope
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Tel: +44 (0) 20 3621 4120
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Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Deborah Bell |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7457 2020 |
Notes to Editors
About SkinBioTherapeutics plc
SkinBioTherapeutics is a life science company focused on skin health. The Company's proprietary platform technology, SkinBiotix®, is based upon discoveries made by CEO Dr. Catherine O'Neill and Professor Andrew McBain.
SkinBioTherapeutics' platform applies research discoveries made on the activities of lysates derived from probiotic bacteria when applied to the skin. The Company has shown that the SkinBiotix® platform can improve the barrier effect of skin models, protect skin models from infection and repair skin models. Proof of principle studies have shown that the SkinBiotix® platform has beneficial attributes applicable to each of these areas.
SkinBioTherapeutics received seed funding from the Tech Transfer office of the University of Manchester for the discovery of SkinBiotix®. The platform was subsequently spun out of the University of Manchester in March 2016 and was funded by OptiBiotix (AIM: OPTI).
The Company joined AIM in April 2017 concurrent with raising £4.5 million from a placing of new ordinary shares.
The Company is based in Manchester, UK. For more information, visit www.skinbiotherapeutics.com.
About Charles River
Charles River provides essential products and services to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, government agencies and leading academic institutions around the globe accelerate their research and drug development efforts. Its dedicated employees are focused on providing clients with exactly what they need to improve and expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of new therapies for the patients who need them. To learn more about Charles Rivers' unique portfolio and breadth of services, visit www.criver.com.