SkinBioTherapeutics PLC (LON:SBTX) said it has begun the third and final phase of a human study of its skin cream as it confirmed it remains in talks with potential commercial partners.
A total of 120 people will take part in the trial, which is designed to test whether SkinBiotix retains the beneficial property to improve skin barrier health when in a cream formulation.
READ: SkinBioTherapeutics says initial portions of human trial deliver "positive results"
Provisional results for some of the volunteers will be available by the end of December with the full read-out expected in the first quarter of next year.
The company confirmed discussions are still ongoing with a consumer good firm that has been evaluating the SkinBiotix product in-house. At the same talks are being held with a number of other “national and international” potential partners. “Further details will be provided as these discussions progress,” it added.
The final human study is a significant milestone in what has been a year of achievements for SkinBioTherapeutics, which have included the manufacturing scale-up and freeze drying of the product and successful safety and irritancy studies.
“These milestones, both individually and collectively, have reduced development risk, changed the risk-reward ratio and are intended to increase interest from potential global partners,” said chief executive, Dr Cath O’Neill.
"The final phase of the recently commenced human studies will be used to confirm product effectiveness, allowing us to complete the data pack to share with potential global partners who may be interested in commercialising the SkinBiotix technology in the cosmetic skin care market."