Exciting future for Syntopix
SYNTOPIX, the company developing treatments for skin conditions such as acne, is to focus development on three core compounds so it can bring them quickly to market.
The Bradford-based group said that SYN0126, SYN1113 and SYN0017 had already attracted positive feedback from potential licensing partners and proved successful in clinical trials in particular SYN0126, which is used for the treatment of acneic skin.
The compound, a permitted cosmetic ingredient, targets spots before redness sets in.
Stephen Jones, chief executive of Syntopix, said: “We believe that SYN0126 has the potential to be a significant step forward in the management of acneic skin, a condition that affects 85% of the population at some stage during their lifetime.
“We are now actively pursuing discussions with leading cosmetic and consumer healthcare companies to investigate the possibility of securing a licensing agreement for SYN0126 and are confident that the positive results from this study will lead to commercial deals in the near future.”
Syntopix said it will continue its screening programme to identify antimicrobial compounds for use in over-the-counter and cosmetic products especially those used in skin care, oral care and chewing gum.
It said it was continuing to develop a strong working relationship with pharmaceuticals giant Procter & Gamble and is currently in close collaboration to develop antimicrobials for use in an undisclosed major consumer healthcare brand.
The firm has also renewed an exclusivity agreement with another healthcare company. It will continue to receive payments for any compounds subject to additional evaluation. Commercialisation of a compound would be subject to a license agreement under separate cover.
Meanwhile, Syntopix has had its 10th patent granted. The company to date has submitted 22 core patent applications, 12 of which have reached the Patent Co-operation Treaty stage – the point at which patent protection is sought in key international territories to support global exploitation of the invention
The Syntopix compound SYN0126 is protected by three core patent applications, which at present cover all major global territories.
Mr Jones said that he believed the firm’s strategy of delivering clinically proven formulations to the cosmetic and consumer markets would enable Syntopic to gain early revenue streams while providing “ownable technologies” to its partners.
“We continue to strengthen our pipeline and we believe 2010 will be a very exciting year for the company,” he added.
Syntopix was founded in 2003 as a spin-out from Leeds University by Dr Jon Cove and Dr Anne Eady, two of the leading experts in skin microbiology.
