IPIX ... Blockbuster coming - non biologic, oral for plaque psoriasis

BEVERLY, Mass., Oct. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPIX) (“the Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, is pleased to report continued developments in its dermatology franchise.

The Company’s randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2b clinical trial of Prurisol for chronic, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (see NCT02949388), enrolling a total of 199 patients, remains on-track for completion in December. Separately, building upon promising results seen to date demonstrating its anti-inflammatory, anti-infective and immunomodulatory properties, the Company is looking to expand Brilacidin into treating multiple serious chronic skin diseases. The Company plans to participate in upcoming dermatology conferences, including as a sponsor in this week’s Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances to be held November 4-5, 2017, in Detroit, MI.

Brilacidin’s potential application in dermatology to provide improved treatment options for people in need is discussed below.

From a scientific perspective, defensins—which Brilacidin was designed to mimic—playan important and multifunctional role in regulating the skin micro-environment. The increased susceptibility of people with Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) to S. aureus infections, significantly complicating this skin condition and against which Brilacidin has been shown to have potent efficacy, is thought to be influenced by the impaired expression of Host Defense Proteins (HDPs). Up to a combined 50 million people, in the U.S. and major European markets, are affected by Eczema. Brilacidin also exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects on key effector cells involved in the etiology of Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a burdensome skin disease affecting 1 to 4 percent of the world’s population, and for which there currently is only one approved marketed treatment (Humira). Brilacidin’s antimicrobial and wound healing properties might similarly benefit HS sufferers. Pre-clinical lab work also indicates impressive Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values when Brilacidin was tested against Propionibacterium spp.—a type of bacteria expressed in Acne—compared to other antibiotics, such as Erythromycin, Clindamycin, Minocycline, Doxycycline and Metronidazole.

One key aspect of Brilacidin’s Mechanism of Action, inhibiting Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), might also contribute to its therapeutic potential in treating skin diseases.

Linked below is additional information, published on the Company’s website, elaborating on Brilacidin’s treatment potential in various dermatological conditions.

• “Brilacidin’s Potential Application in Dermatology”
  http://www.ipharminc.com/new-blog/2017/6/5/brilacidins-potential-application-in-dermatology
  
• “The Clinical Need and Market Opportunity in Atopic Dermatitis”
  http://www.ipharminc.com/new-blog/2017/6/21/the-market-opportunity-in-atopic-dermatitis
  
• “Toward Developing Newer Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa”
  http://www.ipharminc.com/new-blog/2017/5/30/hidradenitis-suppurativa-acne-inversa

About Prurisol

Acting through immune modulation and PRINS reduction, Prurisol is a novel dermatology compound currently in mid-stage development as an oral psoriasis treatment utilizing the advantages of the FDA's 505(b)(2) development approach. This regulatory approach helps expedite a drug candidate’s approval as it allows the FDA to rely, in part, on existing clinical data from an already approved drug, in this instance, Ziagen. In laboratory studies, Prurisol was found to be effective against psoriasis in animal models, both in induced psoriasis and in a xenograft model using human psoriatic tissue. In these models, Prurisol eliminated virtually all signs of psoriasis. Innovation Pharmaceuticals has successfully completed a Phase 2 clinical trial of Prurisol in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic plaque psoriasis. Overall analyses showed that the drug candidate appears to be safe, well-tolerated and demonstrated early efficacy in the highest dosing arm across 12 weeks of treatment. Patients with moderate psoriasis saw the greatest clinical improvements. An early dose-dependent response that improved as treatment duration increased was observed. Innovation Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase 2b clinical trial of Prurisol in moderate-to-severe psoriasis and will be assessing the drug candidate’s efficacy at higher dosing regimens.

Learn more here:
http://www.ipharminc.com/prurisol-1/

About Brilacidin

Brilacidin is Innovation Pharmaceuticals’ lead drug candidate in its defensin mimetic franchise. Modeled after Host Defense Proteins (HDPs), the “front-line” of defense in the immune system, it is a small, non-peptidic, synthetic molecule that kills pathogens swiftly and thoroughly. Just as importantly, Brilacidin also functions in a robust immunomodulatory capacity, lessening inflammation and promoting healing. Due to its unique properties, the Company is studying Brilacidin’s effect on Oral Mucositis (under Fast Track designation) and on Ulcerative Proctitis / Proctosigmoiditis (UP/UPS) in Phase 2 trials. Additional trials of Brilacidin are planned in other conditions, including: Atopic Dermatitis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Acne. Brilacidin is also being developed under FDA’s Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) designation as an antibacterial product for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection (ABSSSI)—qualifying it for Fast Track and possible Priority FDA Review and an extra 5 years of United States market exclusivity upon drug approval.

 

This turned out to be great for JBI reps. The company is offering us raises up to 40k to not jump ship. My base is going to be almost 200k!

 

Shh on the salaries at JBI. Everyone else at J&J is jealous of us. I make 200k just having a mediocre year.
Did I just write that? Oopsies!

 

It’s called Cosentyx