NicOx And Ferrer Present Promising Clinical And Preclinical Results In Dermatology

NicOx S.A.
(Eurolist: COX) announced the presentation of promising clinical and
preclinical results from its collaboration with Ferrer Grupo International
at the 21st World Congress of Dermatology, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
These included phase 1 results for NCX 1022, a prototype compound, showing
the potential for improved safety and tolerability and preclinical results
for a novel, high potency, nitric oxide-donating anti-inflammatory
suggesting it could have enhanced anti-inflammatory activity over current
dermatology products.



Ennio Ongini, Vice President of Research at NicOx, declared: "We are
delighted to present these very promising results with Ferrer at this
prestigious scientific meeting. These results highlight the potential of
our technology in dermatology and suggest our joint program with Ferrer has
the potential to provide more effective drugs to treat chronic skin
disorders, which represent an increasing burden on medical services.
Furthermore, the clinical data on NCX 1022 suggest that nitric oxide
donation may also improve the safety margin over current treatments. We
will continue to work closely with Ferrer to bring our promising drug
candidate into clinical trials."



NicOx and Ferrer initiated their development program focused on high
potency, nitric oxide-donating anti-inflammatory agents, for the treatment
of a range of skin disorders (see NOTE), following encouraging results from
a phase 1 study for NCX 1022, a lower potency prototype (see top-line
results in press release of April 29, 2004). This presentation at the World
Congress of Dermatology was the first time these results were presented at
a scientific meeting. The results showed that the application of NCX 1022
ointment did not induce skin blanching with there being statistically
significantly less skin blanching with NCX 1022 compared with three
commonly used marketed products (p