EpiTan signs with US group to develop formula

Tanning drug developer EpiTan (ASX:EPT) has signed a collaborative agreement with a United State research institute to create a sustained-release version of its formulation.

Under the deal, Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, will develop the slow-release injectable formulation of Melanotan for use in EpiTan's clinical trial program.

EpiTan managing director Dr Wayne Millen said the new formulation would mean the drug would only need to be administered once every six months. He said the slow-release version was expected to be ready for trial before the end of the year.

"This collaborative agreement builds on the success of our recently completed Phase I/II clinical trials for Melanotan at the Royal Adelaide Hospital," Millen said.

"The fact that this type of sustained-release formulation has already been proven to work with Melanotan in our pre-clinical studies will accelerate the development of this product towards the completion of our clinical trial program on time."

Melanotan works by stimulating the production of melanin in the skin, just as sunlight does. Melanin is a pigment, which absorbs the sun's rays and forms a protective screen, giving the skin a tanned appearance.

The theory behind EpiTan's lead project is that by stimulating melanin production, it may assist in reducing sun exposure damage and thus the incidence of skin cancer.

EpiTan pharmaceutical development manager Michael Kleinig said the capabilities of drug developer Southern Research - an affiliate of the University of Alabama - were well suited to the Melbourne company's drug delivery program.

"Southern Research has the expertise, experience, proprietary technology and approved facilities to take a sustained-release formulation of Melanotan from feasibility studies and product development through process scale up to manufacture of clinical trial materials," Kleinig said.

"As Southern Research have already developed and licensed very similar sustained-release formulations, the associated risks with this type of product development are greatly reduced."

At the time of writing, EpiTan shares had risen about 13 per cent to trade at 13 cents.