Human Trial Commences for Dermatological Compound

Compnay web site:
http://www.novogen.com.au/about/about0101.cfm?mainsection=01&subsection=01

I found this announcement interesting, especially the part in bold.

Human Clinical Trial Commences for Dermatological Compound

NOVOGEN LIMITED 2002-06-13 ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Sydney

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Novogen has commenced a second human clinical trial of its novel
synthetic dermatological compound NV-07a.

The trial, at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney will
determine the extent to which NV-07a is able to reverse the damaging
effects of sun exposure on the skin.

In pre-clinical studies conducted by Novogen, NV-07a, when applied
topically, demonstrated an ability to undo the immediate effects of
sunlight, such as reddening of the skin; and also to undo the
underlying damage from exposure to sunlight which results in skin
cancer.

Both of these effects were observed even when NV-07a was applied
after sun exposure and in long term pre-clinical studies this
resulted in reduced incidence of skin cancer.

Novogen's Research Director, Professor Alan Husband, explained that
one of the mechanisms by which sunlight exposure causes skin cancer
was by suppression of the skin's immune capacity.

"The current study is being conducted in human subjects who have an
inbuilt marker of skin immune function and who are susceptible to a
particular type of skin allergy." Professor Husband said.

"Normally these subjects have a reduced allergic reaction after sun
exposure because the immune system becomes suppressed. This study
will determine if the reduced immune effect can be avoided when
NV-07a is applied after sun exposure in these subjects."

Despite increased public awareness about the benefits of avoiding
excessive sun exposure and the importance of sun block creams to
prevent sun damage, the World Health Organisation's International
Agency for Research on Cancer has issued a medical alert warning that
the use of sun block creams is not effective in preventing the long
term damage to the skin which may result in skin cancer.

"The use of these creams reduces sunburn but does not correlate with
a reduction in risk of life-threatening skin cancers such as
malignant melanoma," Professor Husband said.

Professor Husband added that NV-07a had commercial potential for use
as an after-sun skin repair agent in cosmetics and skin care
products.

The current annual spend in the US on UV sun block creams is US$90
million and in Europe the figure is US$100 million. The current total
skin care market for the world is around US$30 billion annually, of
which about US$6 billion is spent in the US. Australia spends
approximately 10 per cent of the US market.

Novogen's Managing Director, Mr Christopher Naughton, said Novogen
would be managing the clinical development program for NV-07a and
then reviewing potential marketing partners for the commercialisation
of the product.

NV-07a development has been supported by the grant of A$3.7 million
from the Australian Government under the R&D START program.

NV-07a is the third Novogen compound in human clinical studies.
Immunosupression is one of the multiple therapeutic applications
targeted by Novogen's phenolic drug technology research and
development program.

Within the same class of compounds are Novogen's anti-cancer drug
phenoxodiol (now in Phase I/II human clinical trials in Australia and
the US and under licence to Marshall Edwards Inc) and Novogen's NV-04
cardiovascular drug program, also now in human trials.

Novogen is involved in drug discovery and product development for
disorders that are commonly associated with aging and co-ordinates an
international clinical research and development program with external
collaborators, hospitals and universities.

For further information
Mr Christopher Naughton,
MANAGING DIRECTOR, or

Professor Alan Husband,
RESEARCH DIRECTOR,
Tel (02) 9878 0088 http://www.novogen.com

ISSUED BY:
Westbrook Communications
CONTACT: David Reid
Tel (02) 9231 0922 or 0417 217 157 (Mobile)