MARLBOROUGH, Mass.,
Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII), a
clinical-stage RNAi company developing innovative therapeutics that
address significant unmet medical needs, announced today the
results of a consumer/functional testing program with RXI-231, a
cosmetic ingredient based on sd-rxRNA® that targets
tyrosinase (TYR). The cosmetic product is a gel formulation
designed to aid in the reduction of pigmentation and thereby
improving skin appearance. The results from the completed consumer
testing program, in combination with previously announced
preclinical data on melanin content in cultured melanocytes and
3-dimensional reconstituted human skin models, show that RXI-231
has the potential to reduce skin pigmentation induced by UV
exposure in vivo.
Logo:
http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/594748/RXi_Pharmaceuticals_Corporation_Logo.jpg
Dr. Gerrit Dispersyn, Chief
Development Officer at RXi stated, "We are very pleased with these
positive results of our consumer testing program with RXI-231.
These results not only validate our preclinical data about the
effect of RXI-231 on skin pigmentation, but also provide important
information on the capabilities of our proprietary topical
formulation for the use of our sd-rxRNA based cosmetic ingredients
in the consumer care space." He further added that "In addition,
the team is working diligently toward providing updates on our
clinical programs before the end of this year, including our
hypertrophic scar study, RXI-109-1402."
Three studies were performed under the consumer testing program.
The first two studies in volunteers determined that the RXI-231 gel
formulation does not cause irritation and sensitization when
applied to the skin. A third study investigated the potential
of RXI-231 to impact a skin melanin content (pigmentation) increase
induced by UV exposure, as measured by narrow-band reflectance
spectroscopy, in a study design similar to one well documented in
peer-reviewed journal articles and used by various cosmetic
companies. Specific spectroscopic results - known to correlate well
with skin melanin content - show that application with RXI-231
containing gel, as compared to vehicle gel, can reduce a change of
skin tone triggered by UV.
RXI-231 targets TYR, a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of
melanin. Initial results with RXI-231 resulted in a visible
reduction of pigmentation in 3-dimensional reconstituted human
epidermal culture. Further testing showed a decrease in melanin
content in cultured primary human melanocytes lasting for at least
one week after a single dose. RXi has developed a gel
formulation that allows sd-rxRNA based cosmetic ingredients, which
are relatively large (9-12 kDa) and negatively charged, to
penetrate into the skin layers where the melanin producing cells
reside. The Company completed the manufacture of a batch of RXI-231
containing gel product for this consumer testing study.
About RXi's Consumer Care Products
RXi's consumer care products are intended to affect the
appearance of the skin. The Company has selected tyrosinase and
collagenase as targets for its self-delivering RNAi platform
because they are relevant for consumer product development. Two
sd-rxRNA based compounds, RXI-231 and RXI-185, are currently in
development as cosmetic ingredients to improve the appearance of
pigmentation and improve the appearance of wrinkles or skin laxity,
respectively.
Both RXI-231 and RXI-185 are part of RXi's partnering and
business growth initiatives providing multiple development
opportunities for non-therapeutic skin health.
About RXi Pharmaceuticals
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (NASDAQ: RXII) is a
clinical-stage company developing innovative therapeutics that
address significant unmet medical needs. Building on the pioneering
discovery of RNAi, scientists at RXi have harnessed the naturally
occurring RNAi process which can "silence" or down-regulate the
expression of a specific gene that may be overexpressed in a
disease condition. RXi developed a robust RNAi therapeutic platform
including self-delivering RNA (sd-rxRNA) compounds that selectively
block the expression of any target in the genome, thus providing
applicability to many therapeutic areas. Our current programs
include cell-based immunotherapy, dermatology, and ophthalmology.
RXi's extensive patent portfolio provides for multiple product and
business development opportunities across a broad spectrum of
therapeutic areas and we actively pursue research collaborations,
partnering and out-licensing opportunities with academia and
pharmaceutical companies. Additional information may be found on
the Company's website, www.rxipharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements
about: our ability to successfully develop RXI-109,
Samcyprone™ and our other product candidates
(collectively "our product candidates"); the future success of our
clinical trials with our product candidates; the timing for the
commencement and completion of clinical trials; our ability to
enter into strategic partnerships and the future success of these
strategic partnerships; and our ability to deploy our
sd-rxRNA® technology through partnerships, as well as
the prospects of these partnerships to provide positive returns.
Forward-looking statements about expectations and development plans
of RXi's product candidates and partnerships involve significant
risks and uncertainties, including the following: risks that we may
not be able to successfully develop and commercialize our product
candidates; risks that product development and clinical studies may
be delayed, not proceed as planned and/or be subject to significant
cost over-runs; risks related to the development and
commercialization of products by competitors; risks related to our
ability to control the timing and terms of collaborations with
third parties; and risks that other companies or organizations may
assert patent rights preventing us from developing or
commercializing our product candidates. Additional risks are
detailed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and
subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption "Risk
Factors." Readers are urged to review these risk factors and to not
act in reliance on any forward-looking statements, as actual
results may differ from those contemplated by our forward-looking
statements. RXi does not undertake to update forward-looking
statements to reflect a change in its views, events or
circumstances that occur after the date of this release.
Contact
RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Tamara McGrillen
508-929-3646
View original
content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rxi-pharmaceuticals-announces-positive-results-with-rxi-231-in-consumer-testing-program-300563402.html
SOURCE RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation