Quest Pharmatech INC. announces positive Phase I clinical trial
results for cosmetic hair removal application
June 20, 2006
Quest PharmaTech Inc. ("Quest" or "the Company")
is pleased to announce that the Phase I clinical trial results from
its lead product candidate, SL017 Topical Gel, demonstrated the
presence of the drug at hair follicles as detected by quantitative
fluorescence microscopy. SL017 fluorescence was detected as early
as 30 minutes after application of the gel and the maximum intensity
was seen at 60 minutes. Follicular localization of the photosensitizer
suggests that photodynamic therapy (PDT) with SL017 has potential
for cosmetic hair removal.
The Phase I clinical trial was designed to study the uptake of the
photosensitizer in hair follicles, sebaceous glands and the epidermis
after topical administration to the back of 10 patients with acne.
It was also designed to evaluate the safety of the product after
such application. The application of SL017 for up to 2 hours under
occlusion did not generate any adverse drug reaction in the patients
and the drug showed satisfactory safety profile. Comparatively low
levels of SL017 fluorescence were observed at the epidermis indicating
that PDT with SL017 should not damage the epidermis, a major limitation
of other topical PDT agents.
"Current light based therapies for hair removal can only permanently
destroy 70 to 90% of hairs in limited patient populations. The use
of SL017 PDT for hair removal has the potential to treat a broader
patient base with improved efficacy", commented Dr. Robert
Bissonnette, M.D., President of Innovaderm Research and Principal
Investigator for the current clinical trial. The Company intends
to initiate a 40 patient clinical trial, as soon as possible, to
determine the appropriate light dose to be used with SL017 for cosmetic
ha ir removal applications.
The utility of SL017 for the treatment of acne could not be determined
at this point as SL017 fluorescence was not observed in sebaceous
glands. Skin preparation methods may be needed to induce localization
of SL017 in sebaceous glands. Additional studies are underway to
determine the optimal conditions needed to use SL017 for the treatment
of acne. Quest believes that the absence of SL017 fluorescence in
sebaceous glands combined with the strong presence of SL017 in hair
follicles and low levels in the epidermis makes the current formulation
of SL017 Topical Gel suitable for cosmetic hair removal applications.
SL017 Topical Gel is currently also undergoing a Phase I clinical
trial for the treatment of Actinic Keratosis. The Company is pleased
to announce that it has received approval from Health Canada to
include women of non-child bearing age in this clinical trial. The
Company anticipates that the inclusion of women will accelerate
the completion of the trial. The Company has already recruited 8
male patients for this trial and needs only 4 more of either gender
to complete.
Worldwide, about $3 billion is spent each year on permanent hair
removal. Traditional hair removal treatments included shaving, plucking,
waxing, chemical depilatories and electrolysis. None of these methods
are ideal as the efficacy is limited, the treatment may be painful
and tedious, and there are risks of adverse effects such as skin
irritation, infection, allergic reaction, irritant eczema and scarring.
Current laser and intense pulsed light hair removal treatment generally
works best for light-skinned individuals with dark hair, but are
not as effective for patients with unpigmented (gray) hairs and
red or blonde hair, or on darker skin tones or tanned skin. In addition,
laser or light based therapies for hair removal can only permanently
destroy 70-90% of hair. Photodynamic therapy with SL017 could eventually
be used in patients with white or blond hair or in patients with
smaller hair at the end of a 4-8 series of laser or intense pulsed
light hair removal treatments. PDT with SL017 works by targeting
the photosensitizer to the hair follicle's regenerative structures
while sparing the surrounding tissues.
About Quest PharmaTech Inc.
The Corporation is a publicly traded (TSX Venture Exchange: QPT
- News), Alberta-based pharmaceutical company committed to the development
and commercialization of new pharmaceutical products. It is developing
a series of products for the treatment of cancer and dermatological
conditions based on its unique photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy
platform.
Except for historical information, this press release may contain
forward- looking statements, which reflect the Company's current
expectation regarding future events. These forward-looking statements
involve risk and uncertainties, which may cause but are not limited
to, changing market conditions, the successful and timely completion
of clinical studies, the establishment of corporate alliances, the
impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development,
uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process and other
risks detailed from time to time in the Company's ongoing quarterly
and annual reporting.
"TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved
of the information contained herein."
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