Excaliard Pharmaceuticals initiates Phase 2 trials of EXC 001

Excaliard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the initiation of three proof of concept Phase 2 trials of EXC 001, an antisense medicine that reduces fibrosis, for the amelioration of skin scarring and other fibrotic disorders. The U.S. multicenter trials will test the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of EXC 001 in two different models to evaluate the improvement of the appearance of scars in subjects undergoing elective abdominoplasty surgery and revision of scars associated with prior breast surgery.

"The prevention and treatment of unsatisfactory skin scarring remains an important unmet medical need," said Lincoln Krochmal, MD, CEO & President of Excaliard Pharmaceuticals. "Unsatisfactory skin scarring can be associated with various dermatologic conditions such as hypertrophic scars and keloids, elective and reconstructive surgery, traumatic wounds, Caesarian sections and burns. We are delighted with our Phase 1 study results indicating EXC 001 delivered locally has a very impressive safety profile. We look forward to further evaluating the safety and efficacy of our novel therapeutic in Phase 2 trials for conditions in which the amelioration of scarring post-operatively would be highly desirable by the patient."

"EXC 001 is a second generation antisense medicine that inhibits fibrosis. In a variety of animal models of scar formation, EXC 001 has demonstrated significant and reproducible reductions in skin scar formation," said Nicholas Dean, PhD., Founder and Chief Scientific Officer. "EXC 001 is an exciting and novel approach to reducing skin scarring, and represents the first time an antisense medicine has been used for this significant, unmet medical need."