Astion Pharma Initiates Phase II Trial with ASF-1096

Astion Pharma A/S has initiated its first clinical study with ASF-1096 in patients suffering from Discoid Lupus Erythematosus, DLE. DLE is a scarring skin disease affecting two to three in every 10,000 people in Europe.

The study is a double blind, placebo controlled trial, being conducted at six clinical centres in Denmark. 32 patients suffering from DLE will be treated twice a day for eight weeks with ASF-1096 or placebo. To participate, the patient must present with at least one newly developed and active lesion, the target lesion, which will be the primary treatment objective in the study. Patients are seen every two weeks, where the development of the inflammation of the target lesion is evaluated.

For further information please contact:

Lars Smedegaard Andersen,

EVP, commercial Affairs

Tel: +45 41128551

E-mail lsa@astion.com

Or visit www.astion.com