Gunsynd Regulatory News (GUN)

8 May 2007 07:02

Syntopix Group plc08 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 focusedon dermatological diseases, is pleased to announce that it has signed anagreement with the Germany-based contract research organisation Bioskin, whichwill conduct trials on behalf of the Company with the objective of identifyingpotential cosmetic treatments for acne. Syntopix sees a clear strategic benefit in pursuing both medical and cosmeticapplications for its library of products for the potential treatment of acne.The cosmetic sector offers Syntopix the opportunity for early revenues as theregulatory and product approval process is shorter than for medicines. Theglobal market size for these types of cosmetic products is estimated to be inexcess 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. Thetrials, which will take place at a series of centres in Germany, will commencein 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 linewith the Company's strategy of seeking to reduce risk by concentrating on thechange of use and novel combinations of known compounds with well documentedpharmacology and toxicity profiles. Steve Jones, Syntopix' CEO, commented: "We are very pleased to have appointedBioskin, a contract research organisation focussed on dermatology, to carry outtrials on compounds that we believe have real potential as cosmetic treatmentsfor acne. Strategically we believe the cosmetic market is attractive as it givesthe Company the opportunity to receive early product revenues." ENDS For further information please contact: Syntopix Group plc 0845 125 9204Stephen Jones, Chief Executive OfficerRod Adams, Chairman KBC Peel Hunt Ltd 020 7418 8900Megan MacIntyre Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000Mark 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 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. About Bioskin Bioskin GmbH is a full-service Contract Research Organization specialized indermatology, offering clinical trials to the pharmaceutical, cosmetic,nutraceutical and medical device industries. Core expertise includes early stageProof-of-Concept studies and advanced bioengineering methods. Bioskin hasclinical units in Hamburg and Berlin, Germany. Multi-centre trials are managedby project teams based in Hamburg. Services include consulting, protocoldevelopment, project management, monitoring, data management, statistics andmedical writing. Bioskin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow PharmaceuticalSciences, Inc., the leading contract developer of topical products in the UnitedStates. For further information please visit www.bioskin.de. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange