Press Release
Friday 17 December 2004
German PMLE trial to start January 2005
For more information contact:
Davina Bridgeman, Investor Relations & Marketing, EpiTan Limited, Tel: +61 3 9660 4900
Richard Allen, Oxygen Financial Public Relations, Tel: +61 3 9915 6341
investorrelations@epitan.com.au
Melbourne, Australia
EpiTan Limited (ASX: EPT, ADR: EPTNY, XETRA: UR9) today announced that the
German trial to test Melanotan ® on sufferers of Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE) will commence in early January (for details see Appendix 1).
PMLE or "sunburn poisoning" is a UV induced skin allergy most prevalent in northern latitudes. Statistics reveal that between 10-20% of US and northern European populations suffer from PMLE. PMLE usually appears as small red, burning or itchy
eruptions on sun-exposed skin. It is the second most common sun-related skin problem after sunburn as seen by doctors. It is most common during the spring and summer months when the level of exposure to UV radiation increases.
The trial has been scheduled for the European winter when people’s natural melanin levels are at their lowest and is intended to test whether the melanin-inducing drug Melanotan alleviates the clinical symptoms of PMLE.
Dr Wayne Millen, EpiTan’s Executive Chairman and CEO said: "In this trial, we are seeking a therapeutic indication for Melanotan. There is a large unmet medical need as PMLE has approximately 100 million sufferers worldwide. Significantly for EpiTan, this is the first European trial of Melanotan."
About EpiTan
EpiTan Limited is a Melbourne-based specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on niche prescription dermatology products. Its leading drug candidate Melanotan ® stimulates the body to make melanin, the dark pigment of a tan which is known to protect |
