Gunsynd Regulatory News (GUN)

16 Aug 2007 07:00

Syntopix Group plc16 August 2007 For immediate release 16 August 2007 SYNTOPIX GROUP PLC ("Syntopix" or "the Company") PHASE I TRIAL RESULTS IN ACNE Syntopix Group plc (AIM: SYN), the speciality pharmaceutical research anddevelopment company focused on dermatological diseases, announces the resultsof a human use Phase I trial that validated the Company's methodology fordetermining the potential of compounds as topical treatments for acne, withpositive and negative controls performing as expected. The study confirmed thesafety and tolerability of all three test treatments in the skin environment. All the test treatments exhibited some antibacterial activity, with thisactivity sustained throughout the trial in one of the three treatment groups.Further optimisation work will be required before the test treatments canproceed to later stages of clinical development. The Syntopix test treatments were assessed over 14 days in a double-blind,randomised and controlled trial of 22 healthy volunteers. They were SYN 0017 (anantioxidant present in foods and cosmetics), SYN 0401 (an antifungal present inpersonal healthcare products), and a combination of SYN 0017 and SYN 0016 (anoxidising agent present in pharmaceutical preparations). All three treatment groups produced positive safety and tolerability data withno adverse events being recorded. Additionally, all of the treatments produced asignificant reduction in the number of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) afterfour hours. P. acnes is a bacterium associated with acne and was being used inthe trial as a surrogate marker to indicate clinical activity. For onetreatment, four of the seven subjects showed a consistent benefit over the twoweeks of the study. In addition to further evaluation of these test treatments, Syntopix willcontinue to assess other compounds from its library of more than 1100 diversecompounds for topical treatments for acne. Stephen Jones, Syntopix' CEO, commented: "Whilst all the test treatments wereshown to be active in the skin environment, further evaluation and optimisationwork is required to maximise their efficacy. We will also continue to evaluateother suitable compounds from our extensive library of highly diverse compoundsfor the topical treatment of acne." Syntopix confirms that the information required by Rule 26 of the AIM Rules forCompanies (February 2007) is available within the Investor Relations section ofthe Company's website at http://www.syntopix.com/. 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.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