ACP-SL 017 Clinical trials update
EDMONTON, Jan. 11 /CNW/ - Quest PharmaTech Inc. (TSX.V: QPT, the "Company
or Quest") announced today that its contract research partner, Innovaderm Inc.
has received clearance from the Therapeutic Products Directorate of Health
Canada to initiate a Phase I clinical trial to investigate the topical
application of its lead photodynamic therapy (PDT) compound SL017 as a
treatment for acne and also for the removal of unwanted hair. The Principal
Investigator for the trial is Dr. Robert Bissonnette MD.
This planned study will be in addition to the Phase I clinical trial of
ACP-SL017 for photodynamic therapy of Actinic Keratosis ("AK"), which is
currently underway at the University of Alberta, with Dr. Jaggi Rao as the
Principal Investigator. The results from this trial are expected to be
available in Q1 of this year.
The acne and cosmetic hair removal trial is designed to evaluate the
histological localization of ACP-SL017 after topical application to patients
that have acne. All the necessary approvals and logistics are now in place and
the Company expects to commence enrolment very soon. It is also anticipated
that the trial will complete quickly and results will be available to support
a follow-on efficacy trial in Q2 of this year.
"I am very pleased with the progress that Company has made in taking its
lead product candidate to two clinical trials for different indications,
despite tight financial circumstances" said Dr. David Cox, President and CEO.
"We continue to seek new investment to sustain long term development and in
the meantime we are deploying resources only to those programs that have the
best prospects for bringing near-term value to the Company".
The Company is also pleased to announce that Dr. Gerald Miller, one of
the original inventors of the Company's platform technology, has joined the
Company's scientific team as a consultant. Dr. Miller's extensive experience
in the preclinical development of photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy
strategies reinforce the Company's knowledge base regarding the use of
Hypocrellin-based sensitizing agents. "Its gratifying to see that ACP-SL 017
has progressed well into clinical development" remarked Dr. Miller,
"especially with multiple indications in areas of high market potential".
About Innovaderm Research Inc.
Innovaderm Research Inc. is a contract research organization that
specializes in dermatological research and clinical studies, with extensive
expertise in acne research and photodynamic therapy. Dr. Bissonnette,
President of Innovaderm Research Inc. is an expert in topical photodynamic
therapy with experiences in both clinical and pre-clinical development of
topical photosensitizers.
About Quest PharmaTech Inc.
The Corporation is a publicly traded (TSX Venture Exchange: QPT), Alberta-
based pharmaceutical company committed to the development and
commercialization of new pharmaceutical products. It is developing a series of
products for the treatment of cancer and dermatological conditions based on
its unique photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy platforms. The Company also
has a profitable product in Accu-MAb(TM), a monoclonal-based diagnostic kit
for whooping cough. For further information, we invite you to visit us at
www.questpharmatech.com
The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the
information contained herein.
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