13th Jun 2007 07:01
Syntopix Group plc13 June 2007 For immediate release 13 June 2007 SYNTOPIX GROUP PLC ("Syntopix" or "the Company") FIRST PARTICIPANTS DOSED IN ACNE TRIAL Syntopix Group plc (AIM: SYN), the drug discovery and development companyfocused on dermatological diseases, is pleased to announce that the firstparticipants have been treated in the Company's Phase I trial of three newtopical preparations for acne. The double-blind, randomised controlled trial, using 24 healthy volunteers, willseek to demonstrate the antibacterial efficacy of the formulated compounds andtherefore evaluate their potential to compete with antibiotics and benzoylperoxide in the acne market. The Syntopix compounds in this trial include SYN 0017 (an antioxidant present infoods and cosmetics), SYN 0401 (an antifungal present in personal healthcareproducts), and a combination of SYN 0017 and SYN 0016 (an oxidising agentpresent in pharmaceutical preparations). All three of these compounds have ahistory of safe use in man in line with the Company's strategy of seeking toreduce the risks and timelines associated with drug discovery by focussing oncompounds with known properties. It is anticipated that the trial will be completed within three months and thatthe results of the trial will be available later this year. Stephen Jones, Syntopix' CEO, commented: "We are delighted that the firstcompounds from our novel screening and development programme are now beingassessed in the clinic. This is a significant milestone for the Company, and animportant step in identifying compounds that can be developed as medicines forthe treatment of acne." ENDS For further information please contact: Syntopix Group plc 0845 125 9204Stephen Jones, Chief Executive OfficerRod Adams, Chairman KBC Peel Hunt Ltd 020 7418 8900Capel Irwin Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000Mark Court/Catherine Breen Notes to editors About Syntopix Group plc Syntopix, a group focused on the discovery and development of drugs for thetopical treatment of dermatological diseases. The company was founded in 2003 asa spin-out from the University of Leeds by Dr Jon Cove and Dr Anne Eady, two ofthe leading experts in skin microbiology, with initial funding from The WellcomeTrust. Syntopix' strategy is to seek to reduce the risks and costs of drug discoveryand development by discovering novel uses for known compounds. The companyconcentrates on compounds and combinations of compounds that have a history ofsafe use in man; and that have well characterised properties, for exampleantimicrobials and anti-inflammatories. The Group currently has 10 pending UKpatent applications. Syntopix is currently concentrating on acne and Staphylococcus aureus infectionsand has identified a pipeline of lead drug candidates that it intends to takethrough pre-clinical and, as appropriate, clinical trials. The Group intends toout-license products to commercial partners on obtaining proof of principle andto 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 atthe universities of Bradford and Leeds. Syntopix' shareholders include Techtran Group Limited (a subsidiary of IP Groupplc), The Wellcome Trust Limited, University of Leeds Limited, White RoseTechnology Limited and Ridings Early Growth Investment Company Limited. Syntopixjoined 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 ExchangeRelated Shares:
Gunsynd