Pre-clinical studies of inhibitors for treatment of acne
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | C26 Bioscience AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 900 000 |
| Project duration | April 2020 - September 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Innovative Startups |
| Call | Innovative Startups step 2 spring 2020 |
Important results from the project
Approximately 600 million people worldwide suffer from acne, a disease that mainly affects the younger part of the population. Current treatments are based on antibiotics or retinoids, which carries the risks of developing resistance or causing birth defects. We have developed molecules that inhibit the enzyme CYP26B1. This means that the breakdown of naturally occurring vitamin A is blocked in damaged tissue, a new way of treating e.g. acne. The molecules have proven to be very specific in their activity - a major breakthrough on the route to a safe new drug for acne, with no side effects.
Expected long term effects
The effects of the project results achieved, i.e., scientific evidence that the substances have an effect on target and are specific and safe, will lead to a strong Lead Optimisation Project. The project plan has been developed in collaboration with the experienced Project Leader who, through the ISU-2 project, is now in place. The plan for the next 2 years, up to the selection of candidate substance and further documentation to enter Phase 1 studies, has already begun.
Approach and implementation
The project was, as in the proposal, divided into 8 Work packages. During the last year, the meetings between the Work Packages’ leaders took place every two weeks. This ensured that the project delivered results on time and within budget. During these meetings, both scientific and logistical problems were discussed, which everyone was involved in solving. The Project Leader, has collected all new data and plans in a common web-based system for easy access for the continued development towards PoC ("Proof of Concept") and preparation for the Phase 1 clinical studies.