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 brought into development for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. Psoriasis affects between 1% and 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 creme 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. The risk of developing the disease is significantly increased in children of parents with psoriasis. The prevalence of the disease varies from country to country. In Denmark, 2-3% of the population, i.e. 100-150,000 persons, suffer from psoriasis. It is estimated that 1-2% of the adult population worldwide suffers from psoriasis. The severity varies a lot. Many patients experience a significant deterioration of their quality of life due to the disease. The reduced quality of life is often linked to problems in social interaction with other people. There is a huge world market for topically applied anti-psoriasis products, more than half a billion US dollars annually.

Calcipotriol is a vitamin D analogue used for topical treatment of psoriasis. The product has been developed and is marketed in Europe by LEO Pharma

ASTION PHARMA A/S

For additional information please visit our web site: www.astion.com.

You can find more information on psoriasis on the web site of the American Academy of Dermatology: http://www.skincarephysicians.com/psoriasisnet

Astion Pharma A/S develops pharmaceutical products for the treatment of skin diseases. It is estimated that one person in four worldwide will suffer from a skin diseases sometime in life, causing a deterioration of their quality of life. It is the Company’s goal to become a leading player in the treatment of skin diseases for which there is currently a major need for new and better therapies. Astion Pharma has a strong platform of proprietary technologies for the development of new and innovative products. The Company pursues development activities through a strong international network of scientific partners and leading contract research organisations. The Company currently has three development projects in Phase II clinical studies in hand dermatitis, seboroic dermatitis and cutaneous lupus in addition to a large portfolio of product candidates and research projects in earlier phases. For additional information please visit our web site: www.astion.com.

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Lars Smedegaard Andersen, EVP

Commercial Affairs

Astion Pharma A/S

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