NicOx And Ferrer Present Promising Clinical And Preclinical Results In Dermatology

Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 03 Oct 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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NicOx S.A. (Eurolist: COX) announced the presentation of promising clinical and preclinical results from its collaboration with Ferrer Grupo International at the 21st World Congress of Dermatology, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. These included phase 1 results for NCX 1022, a prototype compound, showing the potential for improved safety and tolerability and preclinical results for a novel, high potency, nitric oxide-donating anti-inflammatory suggesting it could have enhanced anti-inflammatory activity over current dermatology products.

Ennio Ongini, Vice President of Research at NicOx, declared: "We are delighted to present these very promising results with Ferrer at this prestigious scientific meeting. These results highlight the potential of our technology in dermatology and suggest our joint program with Ferrer has the potential to provide more effective drugs to treat chronic skin disorders, which represent an increasing burden on medical services. Furthermore, the clinical data on NCX 1022 suggest that nitric oxide donation may also improve the safety margin over current treatments. We will continue to work closely with Ferrer to bring our promising drug candidate into clinical trials."

NicOx and Ferrer initiated their development program focused on high potency, nitric oxide-donating anti-inflammatory agents, for the treatment of a range of skin disorders (see NOTE), following encouraging results from a phase 1 study for NCX 1022, a lower potency prototype (see top-line results in press release of April 29, 2004). This presentation at the World Congress of Dermatology was the first time these results were presented at a scientific meeting. The results showed that the application of NCX 1022 ointment did not induce skin blanching with there being statistically significantly less skin blanching with NCX 1022 compared with three commonly used marketed products (p<0.001).

In parallel, NicOx and Ferrer jointly presented a series of preclinical results from a novel, high potency, nitric oxide-donating anti-inflammatory compound at the congress, which showed a broader anti-inflammatory activity than commonly used treatments for skin disorders. These results were obtained in a validated preclinical model of skin disorders by following selected biological markers involved in inflammatory pathways (namely pro-inflammatory mediators such as PGE2, cytokines and TNF-alpha). Scientists have proposed a role for nitric oxide in a number of biological processes in the skin.

Antonio Guglietta, Head of Research and Development at Ferrer, commented: "Nitric oxide is thought to play an important role in the physiology of the skin and these new preclinical results suggest nitric oxide-donating anti- inflammatory agents could have improved efficacy over existing treatments. We believe this collaboration with NicOx can lead to the successful development of a more effective and safer treatment for skin disorders."

NOTE: NicOx and Ferrer aim to develop an improved product to treat a range of skin disorders, including Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Seborrheic Dermatitis, which affect millions of people each year. The severity of these conditions can vary widely and in the worst cases they can be painful, increase the risk of infection and cause social isolation due to appearance.

NicOx (Bloomberg: COX:FP, Reuters: NCOX.PA) is a product-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of nitric oxide- donating drugs to meet unmet medical needs. NicOx is targeting the therapeutic areas of inflammation and cardio-metabolic disease. Resources are focused on two lead compounds, naproxcinod (formerly HCT 3012); in phase 3 development for the treatment of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, and NCX 4016, in phase 2 for type 2 diabetes.

NicOx has strategic partnerships with some of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co., Inc.

NicOx S.A. is headquartered in Sophia-Antipolis, France, and is a public company listed on the Eurolist of Euronext(TM) Paris (segment: Next Economy).

The elements included in this communication may contain forward-looking statements subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results of the company may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements because of different risk factors described in the company's document de reference.

NicOx S.A.
http://www.nicox.com