Enrollment of patients for Phase IIb clinical trial of WBI-1001 commenced

Welichem today announced that the Company has begun to enroll patients in a Phase IIb clinical trial with its lead candidate, WBI-1001. The Phase IIb clinical trial is a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 12-week-treatment study. The objectives of the trial are to evaluate the efficacy of the creams (0.5% and 1.0% WBI-1001) in comparison to the vehicle and also to evaluate the safety and tolerability of the creams in patients with atopic dermatitis.

The study is being conducted at three centers across Canada. It is planned that 150 patients will be enrolled in the trial that is anticipated to be concluded in 6 to 9 months.

The Company is also pleased to announce today that Dr. Michael Lyle, a long serving member and the former Director of CMC of the Company, was appointed as the Company's Vice President of Research and Development.

"Dr. Michael Lyle, is well qualified to lead the Company's research and development program. In addition to leading the Company's CMC program in the past few years, Dr Lyle has also successfully led two clinical trial applications related to the Company's lead drug candidate, WBI-1001, for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. He will be a very valuable asset for the Company's management team." said Dr. Liren Tang, the Company's CEO.