Aug 19, 2009
Lytix Biopharma announces start of dosing in Phase I trial

Lytix Biopharma announces today the start of dosing of its topical antimicrobial agent LytixarTM (LTX-109) in the Company’s first Phase I human volunteer trial

The Phase I trial is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled designed to study the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of topical dosing of the novel antimicrobial drug LytixarTM (LTX-109) in 30 human volunteers. The study will run in the U.K. during the second half of 2009.

Lytix Biopharma develops novel drugs for the treatment of resistant bacterial and fungal infections, as well as first-in-class oncology treatments. These therapeutic areas have a high unmet medical need, and Lytix Biopharma is in a unique position to develop and commercialise innovative research in these fields.

According to Lytix Biopharma CEO Gunnar Sælid, “Having demonstrated safety and tolerability in animals, we are now very pleased to announce the first dosing in humans of our novel antimicrobial agent, LytixarTM (LTX-109). This first phase I trial is right on track for our program aimed at developing a truly novel broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent for the treatment of skin infections.  LytixarTM (LTX-109) is rapidly bactericidal against even highly resistant bacterial strains such as MRSA, covering not only Gram (+) bacteria, but also many important Gram (-) bacteria as well as fungi and yeasts. This novel class of small molecules exhibits an extremely low propensity for resistance development."

Lytix Biopharma recently announced a substantial private placement, being fully subscribed despite a difficult financial market. Chairman of Lytix Biopharma’s Board, Knut Eidissen, says. “The recent influx of working capital is being put to good use – now is the time to actively pursue our clinical development plans and deliver on our milestones. I am very pleased with the operational progress being demonstrated by the Lytix Biopharma management team. The commercial upside is significant for a company like ours. We aim to out license rights and form joint-venture partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies.”

For further information, contact:
Gunnar Sælid, CEO
+47 911 92 330

Knut Eidissen, Chairman of the Board
+47  916 17 707