Syntopix Group plc
25 February 2008
For immediate release 25th February 2008
SYNTOPIX GROUP PLC
('Syntopix' or 'the Company')
Positive Results from Phase II Cosmetic Study
Syntopix Group plc (AIM: SYN), the drug discovery and development company
focused on dermatological diseases, is pleased to announce positive results from
its Phase II cosmetic study in subjects with acneic skin.
The study showed that a Syntopix product reduced the total number of acne spots
to a significantly greater extent (from week 4 onwards) than a currently
marketed acne treatment.
The Phase II proof-of-concept study, which began in July 2007 and was conducted
in Germany, was of a randomised, blinded design in 130 subjects. Two Syntopix
preparations were investigated: SYN 0126, a compound used in cosmetic
preparations; and a combination of SYN 0126 with SYN 0091, a bacteriostatic
agent used in soaps and cosmetics. The study had positive (marketed product) and
negative (vehicle) controls, and the products were used once a day for 8 weeks.
The combination preparation containing SYN 0126 and SYN 0091 ranked as more
effective than the marketed product and as most effective overall with
statistically significant reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory
lesions (spots) from week 2 to the end of the study. By week 8, this preparation
had reduced the total number of lesions by 27% and the acne severity grade by
38%; reductions for the marketed product were 12% and 24% respectively.
Following these positive study results, it is the Company's intention to
investigate the possibility of a licensing agreement with a suitable partner in
the cosmetics or consumer healthcare industries.
Stephen Jones, Syntopix' CEO, commented: 'We are delighted that our preparation
containing two SYN compounds shows significant promise as a new cosmetic
treatment for acne and is of potential interest to licensing partners. The
positive results from this study confirm the progress that the Company is making
in identifying compounds that can be developed as novel interventions for the
treatment of acne.'
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
Capel Irwin
Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000
Mark Court/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.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange