Progress Update with Development of a New Treatment for Psoriasis (YP003)

York Pharma plc, the AIM-listed strategic acquirer, developer and marketer of pharmaceutical products in the field of dermatology, announces progress with the development of YP003, disclosure of its lead compound from a new class of drugs termed Vitamin A Metabolic Pathway (VAMP) inhibitors and positive data from an initial Phase II study.

York Pharma has progressed development of a new class of drugs for the topical treatment of psoriasis, Vitamin A Metabolic Pathway (VAMP) inhibitors. Carbenoxolone has been selected as the lead compound. To date, in vitro and in vivo study results supporting the use of carbenoxolone in psoriasis have all been positive.

The Company now has Phase II results that further support carbenoxolone as a new treatment for psoriasis. The Phase II study tested the activity of the compound in 12 patients with mild to moderate psoriasis. For each patient, three medications were applied to selected psoriasis plaques daily for four weeks: 2% carbenoxolone gel (test medication), 0.05% calcipotriol (reference product) and placebo.

Even though the carbenoxolone gel was not optimised, in terms either of formulation or concentration, the treatment showed favourable signs of clinical effect. Its activity profile (scoring reduction in redness, scaling and thickness of plaques) demonstrated clinical activity according to the guideline set by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) (an improvement in the scoring during treatment of at least 50%). Histological examination further supported these positive results. There were no adverse reactions to carbenoxolone.

York intends to carry out further Phase II trials with an optimised formulation of carbenoxolone, including dose-ranging studies, before progressing to Phase III studies.

Commenting on the announcement, Terry Sadler, Chief Executive of York Pharma, said: “Psoriasis is a chronic condition affecting about 2% of the population, with current treatments often associated with systemic toxicity and topical irritation. York is pleased that these preliminary Phase II data indicate the potential of carbenoxolone for the treatment of this condition, and that the Company’s dermatology pipeline is continuing to make significant progress”.