Astion Pharma Initiates Phase II Clinical Study in Psoriasis

Astion Pharma A/S has initiated the recruitment of patients with psoriasis for a clinical study with ASF-1075 cream. ASF-1075 is a potent, anti-inflammatory product that has been developed for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Psoriasis affects 1-2% of the adult population, and the disease is often life long.

The study is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at a specialised clinic in Germany. A total of 15 patients with the most common type of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, will be enrolled in the study. The patients will be treated for two weeks with placebo cream and ASF-1075, alone and in combination with calcipotriol. The clinical effect will be compared with placebo and products already on the market for the treatment of psoriasis. The effect of the treatment will be measured by means of ultrasound scanning, in which the thickness of the various skin layers can be studied.

ASF-1075 acts by down-regulating multiple mechanisms in the body's inflammatory response. The effect has been documented in several non-clinical models of specific relevance for dermatitis and psoriasis. Unlike other anti-inflammatory products for topical application such as steroids, ASF-1075 does not involve a risk of serious side effects such as thinning of the skin.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which appears as patches of reddened and scaling skin. The scales develop because the epidermal cells divide faster than usual. In some cases, the scale formation causes severe itching. The cause of the disease is unknown, however, the risk of developing the disease is significantly increased in children of parents with psoriasis.

Lars Smedegaard Andersen,

Executive Vice President, Commercial Affairs

Tel: +45 41 12 85 51

Email: lsa@astion.com

Or visit: www.astion.com