Positive results from Derma Sciences' Phase 2 trial with DSC127 in patients with diabetic foot ulcers

Derma Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DSCI), a medical device and pharmaceutical company focused on advanced wound care, today announced positive results from its Phase 2 clinical trial with DSC127 in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, including meeting the trial's primary endpoint, the proportion of study ulcers healed by 12 weeks as defined by 100% epithelialized with no drainage, as well as all secondary endpoints measured at this time. DSC127 is a patented, topically applied novel angiotensin analog that targets receptors that are up-regulated upon injury to tissue.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical trial randomized 80 patients to receive one of two dose strengths of DSC127 (0.03% and 0.01%) or vehicle placebo control. After 14 days of best standard-of-care to evaluate ulcer healing and ensure the wounds were chronic, those patients randomized into the study received four weeks of active treatment followed by eight weeks of observation and assessment.

In the Intent-to-Treat (ITT) population: Results show that 54% of the diabetic wounds treated with the 0.03% dose (high dose) of DSC127 achieved 100% closure in 12 weeks or less, compared with 33% of patients receiving placebo control, and 30% of patients receiving the 0.01% dose (low dose) of DSC127. Based on odds ratio analysis, patients treated with DSC127 0.03% were 2.3 times more likely to have their wounds heal completely compared with patients treated with placebo/standard of care.

In the Per-Protocol (PP) population: Results show that 65% of the diabetic wounds treated with the 0.03% dose of DSC127 achieved 100% closure in 12 weeks or less, compared with 38% of patients receiving placebo control, and 28% of patients receiving the 0.01% dose of DSC127. Based on odds ratio analysis, patients treated with DSC127 0.03% were 3.0 times more likely to have their wounds heal completely compared with patients treated with placebo/standard of care.

The high dose of DSC127 exceeded the trial's primary endpoint measurement target of an improvement of 15 percentage points in complete healing of wounds within the 12-week duration of the study for both the ITT (21 percentage point increase) and PP (27 percentage point increase) populations, compared with placebo.

The drug was well-tolerated and there were no significant adverse events associated with DSC127 treatment. Further data on the durability of the healing effect is expected to be available late in the second quarter of 2011 after all patients with 100% closed wounds have completed a subsequent 12 weeks of follow-up monitoring.

David Armstrong, M.D. of Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) at the University of Arizona and the study's lead investigator, said, "The clinical results from this trial are very impressive as application of 0.03% DSC127 appears to increase healing rates at a level greater than has been previously reported by drugs currently on the market and in development. Although further testing in a pivotal study is required, it seems that DSC127 has the potential to be an important therapy for the treatment of diabetic wounds."

Derma Sciences Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edward J. Quilty said, "Results from this Phase 2 trial exceeded our expectations and we are delighted to be reporting such compelling results. Our next step in the development process is to discuss these results with the FDA in an end-of-Phase 2 meeting, and to advance development into Phase 3. These results are transformational for Derma Sciences and we are looking forward to sharing these data with potential development and commercial partners, and to determining how best to maximize the considerable potential of DSC127 for our shareholders. We are hopeful that a Phase 3 study will show comparably robust results and that, in due course, DSC127 will be brought to market to alleviate the suffering of millions of patients with these debilitating and stubborn wounds."