Scalp Psoriasis - Dermipsor Signs Strategic Drug Development Collaboration With VA Boston Research Institute, Inc

Main Category: Eczema / Psoriasis
Also Included In: Dermatology;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 07 Oct 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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Dermipsor Ltd, a clinical-stage leading drug development company focusing on novel therapies for the dermatology market, announces signing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the VA Boston Research Institute, Inc.

Under the terms of the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement this collaborations framework covers the advancement of Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials. Initially the agreement will focus on implementing a scalp psoriasis Phase 2 study with Dermipsor's second product, DPS-102, a novel non-steroidal synergistic combination topical treatment for scalp psoriasis. This study is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2008. In parallel, the company continues preparations for its plaque psoriasis Phase 3 clinical trial with its leading drug DPS-101.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a US Federal arm that provides healthcare services to US veterans through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). VA treats 23.8 million living veterans. VHA delivers health care through 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks that manage 153 medical centers, and 731 community-based outpatient clinics. In 2007 VHA provided healthcare services to approximately 5.5 million unique patients and 55.7 million outpatients' visits in 2007.

"We are very pleased to enter into this strategic collaboration with the Boston VA Research Institute, Inc. (BVARI) and VA. This collaboration will give Dermipsor access to the VA's broad patient population and to its excellent doctors and facilities," said Dr. Zeev Even-Chen, Dermipsor's CEO. "This cooperation will ensure that our clinical studies in the US will be conducted quickly and the highest possible quality."

About Dermipsor

Dermipsor is an advanced clinical stage drug development company focusing on novel therapies for the dermatology market. The annual world market for dermatology drugs was estimated at $8.9B, forecasted to reach approximately $10B in 2009. Dermipsor's lead product, DPS-101, is a novel non-steroidal synergistic combination topical treatment for plaque psoriasis. DPS-101 has successfully completed an FDA regulated phase IIb dose ranging study in psoriasis patients, demonstrating efficacy and safety.

DPS-101 is scheduled to enter a Pivotal Phase III study in 2009. DPS-101 addresses the more than $1B annual market of topical psoriasis treatments, offering a highly desirable safe and efficacious solution to the more than 100 million psoriasis patients worldwide. Dermipsor's second product, DPS-102 for the treatment of scalp psoriasis, will start Phase II clinical studies towards the end of 2008. Dermipsor' pipeline includes additional products in earlier stages of development.
br> The Company was founded in 2004 by Dr. Avikam Harel and Dr. Olga Bloch. The company's CEO, Dr. Zeev Even-Chen, leads the clinical development of its pipeline. Until October 2007 the company operated in the Meytag High Tech Incubator in Katzrin, which is part of the Capital Point group. Dr. Oren Becker joined the company as active chairman in December 2007.

About BVARI

BVARI is a non-profit, tax-exempt institute based in Boston, Massachusetts. Collaborative research and education endeavors may be established with universities, for profit companies, hospitals, charitable foundations, professional societies, the Public Health Service, or other governmental agencies, and other non-profit entities. The mission of BVARI is to promote and to support the medical research and education activities and to advance the well being of veterans and the general public by these endeavors.

Dermipsor