Destiny Pharma PLC (AIM:DEST) has kicked off a safety study that will pave the way for an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to the US regulator for a dermal formulation of its XF-73 treatment.
It is the second of two preclinical evaluations of the anti-infective, which in this latest formulation is being developed to treat open wounds, including diabetic foot ulcers suffered by up to 25% of the US patient population.
“There are 29mln people diagnosed in the United States alone who are at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcer infections and peak product sales could reach half a billion US dollars,” said Neil Clark, Destiny’s chief executive.
XF-73 has successfully negotiated a phase II clinical trial as a nasal gel designed to combat post-operative infections.
Following the completion of the safety study, the dermal formulation looks set to become Destiny’s second clinical candidate next year.