The biopharma company Biovitrum, has entered an agreement with the Uppsala-based biotech company Synphora regarding a new drug candidate (JB991) for the treatment of the skin disease psoriasis and other conditions.

JB991 is a prostaglandin derivative, ie a substance which is based on prostaglandin, a local hormone that naturally occurs in the body and plays an important role for the control of inflammation. JB991 is in development by Synphora and emanates from the company's vast knowledge base and experience in prostaglandin-dependent mechanisms. The project is currently undergoing a clinical phase I study.

Under the terms of the agreement Biovitrum will co-finance Synphora's ongoing study and, if the study is successful, also the following phase II study with a maximum of SEK five million in total. Synphora remains fully responsible for developing JB991 up to and including clinical phase IIa. In return for the investment Biovitrum will after phase IIa , under certain provisions, be entitled to acquire the project according to predetermined terms.

"Inflammation is one of Biovitrum's core therapy areas and we are currently developing other projects targeting skin conditions. This project also fits our strategy to focus on therapies where the unmet medical need is large," says Anders Ullman, Biovitrums' senior vice president R&D. "We are confident that Synphora is highly qualified to bring this product to a stage where the concept can be tested on psoriasis patients."

Psoriasis is an inherited skin disease characterized by plaques of inflamed and thickened skin. About 1-2% of the population suffers from this chronic condition. Treatment is usually local, on the skin, with salve/cream containing different pharmaceuticals, most prominently corticosteroids. In addition, severe psoriasis is often treated with oral medication or injections containing novel biological medicines.