Renovo claims early success in broadening Juvista’s appeal

MANCHESTER-based biotech firm Renovo has said that a Phase I clinical trial used to determine whether its core Juvista drug could be used to treat scarring following the removal of earlobe keloids had “met all primary safety objectives”.

The drug, which was initially developed to reduce scarring following scar revision surgery, is now being trialled for other uses including following primary surgery and trauma treatment.

In a statement to the stock exchange, the company said that the sample size used in the keloids study was “insufficient to analyse the efficacy data statistically and no conclusions can be drawn at this time”.

Keloids can develop in scar tissue when collagen used to prepare wounds overgrows and produces lumps.

Chief executive Professor Mark Ferguson, CEO said: “It was important to establish the safety of Juvista when given to patients who develop keloids, as one can not necessarily predict which patients will go on to develop them.

“This series of safety trials achieved the primary objective across a range of Juvista doses and provided valuable new information on the natural history of keloid scar development to inform future trial design.”

He added that the main Phase III trial for Juvista remains on track for completion in the EU in the first half of next year.