 Press Releases04 July 2007 IP Group Website IP Group Spin-Out Company, Photopharmica, Announces Successful Phase II Data IP Group plc (LSE: IPO) ("IP Group"), the intellectual property commercialisation company, is delighted to note that Photopharmica Holdings Limited ("Photopharmica" or "the Company"), a University of Leeds spin-out company in which, as at the date hereof, IP Group has a 51.54% stake, has announced the successful completion of the first ever Phase II placebo-controlled clinical trial using topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of microbial disease in wounds. The trial employed Photopharmica's proprietary drug, PPA 904, a member of the phenothiazinium family of photosensitisers. Photodynamic therapy with PPA 904 involves two stages: 1) the topical administration of PPA 904 to a site of infection where the drug is absorbed by resident bacteria; 2) the application of visible light of a pre-defined wavelength which triggers PPA 904 to release highly potent 'singlet' oxygen, thereby killing those bacteria that have taken up the drug. The Phase IIa randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled study showed that a single PDT treatment achieved a statistically significant reduction in the bacterial load of chronic leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers compared with placebo. Further analysis showed that several types of bacterial species were killed in these treatments including MRSA. In addition, there was evidence of a treatment effect on ulcer healing. For the leg ulcer group, 4 of 8 patients on active drug (50%) achieved complete healing within 3 months, whereas only 1 of 8 patients (12.5%) achieved complete healing in the placebo group. The treatment was found to be safe and well-tolerated by patients. No treatment-related adverse events were reported. Photopharmica plans to carry out further trials of PPA 904 in bacterially colonised chronic ulcers commencing in 2008. The Company regards the success of this first Phase II trial as a proof of principle which could lead to the application of its antimicrobial technology to a range of infective conditions involving skin and wounds. The Company, which was established in 2001 to develop novel photosensitisers as products for medical use, has opened up new applications of topical photodynamic therapy and produced photosensitisers that have improved properties compared with those previously available. Photopharmica's first clinical trial was conducted in 2004. Alan Aubrey, Chief Executive of IP Group, said: "We are delighted that Photopharmica has received successful phase II data. Photopharmica is the first company in the IP Group portfolio to have reached this significant milestone and, as such, demonstrates the continued development, depth and breadth of our life sciences portfolio." Professor Stanley B Brown, Chief Scientific Officer of Photopharmica and Director, Centre for Photobiology and Photodynamic Therapy at the University of Leeds, said: "Our novel antimicrobial photodynamic therapy has been in laboratory development for several years but, for the first time, we now have convincing proof from a randomised, controlled clinical trial, that it works in patients and also evidence that it kills antibiotic resistant 'superbugs' like MRSA. The data are especially promising in showing evidence that wound healing may be accelerated in patients with long-standing, chronic leg ulcers. These are exciting results which we hope will lead to this novel therapy becoming available for the benefit of patients with a wide range of conditions." > menu |
