SkinBioTherapeutics PLC (LON:SBTX) said it has finalised plans for its human study of the cosmetic application of its SkinBiotix technology while it announced progress with the manufacturing scale-up of the product.
The former first: the assessment of 120 female volunteers with dry skin will take place in the third quarter with testing being carried out by clinical research firm Alba Science.
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Scientists will assess for visual dryness, skin hydration and skin barrier function with swab samples to be taken at the beginning and end of the study to examine the effects of the technology on the skin microbiome.
By using the cream, it is hoped hydration of the skin will be improved; the barrier function will be stronger (shown by a decrease in water loss across the skin barrier); and it will be confirmed that the technology is safe for the skin microbiome.
Study doubles in size
"We are determined to make the study as impactful as possible, which is why we have doubled its size,” said chief executive, Dr Cath O'Neill.
“The cost impact is marginal, but the increase in the strength of the potential data and hence, to future partnering discussions, could be significant. Scaling up the manufacturing process is a key step in our development, and we are also moving this forward very well."
Turning to the manufacturing process, SkinBioTherapeutics a new production method that is scalable has been successfully trialled.
The results indicated no detrimental impact upon the active properties of the SkinBiotix technology.
The company said further work is required to optimise the process to achieve manufacturing on a commercial scale but the progress to date is “encouraging”.
In the same announcement, SkinBioTherapeutics said a patent covering the use for specific probiotic bacteria and lysates in skin health has been granted in New Zealand and Russia.