PARIS ¿ NicOx SA has embarked on a Phase I/II clinical trial of a topical formulation of its nitro-flurbiprofen derivative, HCT-1026, for the potential treatment of inflammatory dermatological disorders.

The trial, which is being carried out in Nice, close to the company¿s headquarters at Sophia Antipolis in southern France, will provide data about the tolerability and anti-inflammatory activity of HCT-1026, including pharmacodynamic data such as skin blood flow parameters measured by laser doppler. It is being carried out on 16 healthy volunteers with methyl nicotinate induced contact urticana (skin lesions).

The topical formulation of HCT-1026 already demonstrated excellent local tolerability in preclinical studies. An oral formulation of the drug similarly showed excellent tolerability relative to a conventional NSAID (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug) in Phase I clinical trials in the UK. This formulation now is in Phase II clinical development in two very different indications, urinary incontinence and osteoporosis.

In February, NicOx initiated a Phase I clinical trial of an oral formulation of its nitric oxide-releasing aspirin. ¿ James Etheridge