Green light for EpiTan IIb trial

EpiTan has received approval from the ethics committee at the Royal Adelaide Hospital to conduct part of its phase IIb clinical trial there for its melanin-producing drug Melanotan.

Royal Adelaide Hospital was also the site of the first phase I/IIa trial, which was successfully completed earlier this year, demonstrating safety and efficacy. Dr Catherine Reid, director of dermatology at the hospital, will direct the trial for EpiTan.

Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital approved the trial in late October, to be directed by sunburn and skin cancer expert Prof Ross Barnetson. The trial is expected to start later this month and to take eight months to complete.

"We continue to expand our clinical program and the addition of this second site will significantly enhance the rate of recruitment of volunteers to meet our goal of completing the study in the shortest time," said EpiTan CEO Dr Wayne Millen. "We are pleased to be working again with the Royal Adelaide Hospital as their experience and commitment in this area is well documented."