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JUNE 8th, 2005
Cytochroma Inc., which just last month received funding for its
medical technology, has already reported positive results from a Phase Ia clinical study of its CTA018 product for the treatment
of psoriasis. According to Jukka Karjalainen, M.D., Ph.D., Vice-President of Drug Development at Cytochroma, "The data from
the Phase Ia study is very encouraging. We were able to demonstrate the drug's effectiveness in reducing psoriasis, and that
it did so without any symptoms or signs of skin irritation is particularly promising. Treatment-related skin irritation is
one of the main complaints of psoriatic sufferers using current treatments."
CTA018 is referred to by the company as a Vitamin D analog. The
company stated that the drug is "a strong activator of the vitamin D signaling pathway and also a potent inhibitor of CYP24
activity (the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of vitamin D)." A Phase Ib safety study of the drug is in its conclusion
stages.
With the announcement, Cytochroma noted that over 125 million people
in the world have some form of Psoriasis, however most cases are mild to moderate forms.
MAY 23rd, 2005
Zelos Therapeutics Brings In $42.5 Million For Osteoporosis
and Psoriasis Technology
Zelos Therapeutics has completed a Series B financing round that has brought in an estimated
$42.5 million. The funding, led by Alta Partners, included funding from a long list of both new and existing investors. Frazier
Healthcare Ventures, the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan, Prospect Venture Partners, and SR One were new investors. VenGrowth
Private Equity Partners Inc., Genesys Capital Partners Inc., Seaflower Ventures and the Business Development Bank of Canada
were existing investors that invested again.
Robert (Duffy) DuFresne, Zelos' Chief Executive Officer, said besides
osteoporosis, the funding would also be used for the development of its topical psoriasis treatment, "Our Series B financing
provides us with sufficient capital to achieve several key corporate milestones. We anticipate that our current resources
will enable us to complete Phase II clinical trials for both our lead osteoporosis candidate, Ostabolin-C, and our second
PTH analogue program, for the topical treatment of psoriasis as well as to advance our remaining two programs into the clinic."
MAY 16th, 2005
Psoriasis Receives CDN $15 Million Financing for Clinical
Trials
Cytochroma Inc. has received the first tranche of $15 million (Canadian) as part of a financing
plan to continue the development of CTA018 for Phase II clinical trials in the treatment of psoriasis and to further build
on its other preclinical products. The round was led VenGrowth Private Equity Partners Inc. through The VenGrowth Advanced
Life Sciences Fund Inc.
James M. Rae, CEO of Cytochroma, in a statement about the investment,
indicated CTA018 is a Vitamin D Signal Amplifier product with significant applications to other therapeutic drugs, "We are
very pleased to be receiving this additional investment from our current investors as it supports and reinforces our current
development approach. Cytochroma has confidence in the ongoing clinical development of CTA018 and will be using the same approach
to move other Vitamin D Signal Amplifier products into hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic kidney disease, oncology and
multiple sclerosis indications. These additional indications for our compounds will add significant value to the Company."
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