Helix BioMedix, Inc. Antifungal Lipo-Peptides Show Promise In Dermatology Applications
04 Dec 2006
Oligonucleotide
BOTHELL, Wash., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Helix BioMedix, Inc. , a developer of bioactive peptides, today announced that Timothy J. Falla, Ph. D, Chief Scientific Officer, will be presenting results of a new study demonstrating antifungal efficacy of its novel family of lipo-peptides in a preclinical infection model at IBC's 7th Annual EuroTIDES 2006 conference on Oligonucleotide, RNAi and Peptide Technology. The conference will be held at the Radisson SAS in Hamburg, Germany, on December 4th through the 7th. Dr. Falla's presentation "Synthetic Lipohexapeptides: A Novel Class of Anti-infective" will take place on December 5th at 12:20 pm.
Helix BioMedix's lipo-peptide compounds exhibited significant efficacy both clinically and mycologically in a recent animal study, and leading investigators have concluded that further evaluation is warranted. The independent research study was conducted by Mahmoud A. Ghannoum, Ph.D. at the Center for Medical Mycology, University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University.
"This study was a component of our proof of concept evaluation for these molecules to be used for dermatological application and we are very pleased with the results," commented Dr. Falla. "Due to the broad spectrum of activity of this new class of potential anti-infective, the results of previous bacterial infection models, and the results of this latest study, we have confidence that there is great potential for addressing a wide range of pathogen-based dermatological indications in a market that is estimated at $665 million."
The study involved use of a guinea pig model, which was developed and used earlier at the Center for Medical Mycology in the pre-clinical evaluation of terbinafine and itraconazole, the two FDA-approved antifungal agents currently on the market for treatment of onychomycosis, or fungal nail infections. The experimental animals were infected with conidia, which was applied on abraded skin, and then were divided into groups, including three treatment groups of peptides, an untreated control, vehicle control and a positive control (terbinafine). Three days after inoculation, animals were treated topically once daily for a period of seven days. At the end of treatment, hair samples were removed for mycologic evaluation of fungal growth at the hair root and clinical assessment was made of the infected skin area. Test compounds HB 1275 and HB 1148 showed significant efficacy both clinically and mycologically.
About Helix BioMedix
Helix BioMedix, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has a portfolio of issued patents that covers six distinct classes of peptides, covering over 100,000 unique peptide sequences. The company's mission is to become the industry leader in developing and commercializing small proteins known as bioactive peptides. The antimicrobial and wound healing properties of these peptides qualify them for inclusion in a wide range of both pharmaceutical and consumer products. The company is currently focused on the development of selected peptides as topical anti-infectives and in wound healing. Non- pharmaceutical applications being pursued by Helix BioMedix include adjuvants for cosmetics/cosmeceuticals, personal care, plant health, animal health and wide-spectrum biocides. More information about the company and its proprietary peptides can be found on the company's website at .
Contact:
Investor Relations:
Cameron Associates
Alison Ziegler, 212-554-5469
alison@cameronassoc.com
Helix BioMedix, Inc.
CONTACT: Investor Relations: Alison Ziegler of Cameron Associates,+1-212-554-5469 or alison@cameronassoc.com, for Helix BioMedix, Inc.
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