SMT D002
Encyclopedia
SMT D002 is a medication
which has potential for use as an acne
treatment. In pill form it has reportedly proved very successful at reducing sebum production during clinical trials
carried out by UK-based drug discovery company Summit Corporation PLC (AIM: SUMM). It is claimed to be safer than isotretinoin
, which is currently the only medication accepted by the medical profession as being an effective sebosuppressive.
It has been referred to as a 'cure for acne' by the press. In fact it could not accurately be referred to as a cure, but at best an effective preventive treatment.
and
The second study was conducted using 18 healthy volunteers and examined the effect of repeat oral doses
of SMT D002 over a four-day period. The key findings of the trial were reported as follows:
formulation of the drug. The reason for developing a topical formulation has been given by Summit as 'to improve the way [it] is administered' and 'because it [is] likely to work more quickly'..
In May 2009 it was reported that, as part of a restructuring programme, a cross-licence agreement had been made with Orient Pharma Ltd:
A press release dated May 2010 implies that Summit PLC is no longer committing significant resources to SMT D002:
Medication
A pharmaceutical drug, also referred to as medicine, medication or medicament, can be loosely defined as any chemical substance intended for use in the medical diagnosis, cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.- Classification :...
which has potential for use as an acne
Acne
Acne is a general term used for acneiform eruptions. It is usually used as a synonym for acne vulgaris, but may also refer to:*Acne aestivalis*Acne conglobata*Acne cosmetica*Acne fulminans*Acne keloidalis nuchae*Acne mechanica...
treatment. In pill form it has reportedly proved very successful at reducing sebum production during clinical trials
Clinical trial
Clinical trials are a set of procedures in medical research and drug development that are conducted to allow safety and efficacy data to be collected for health interventions...
carried out by UK-based drug discovery company Summit Corporation PLC (AIM: SUMM). It is claimed to be safer than isotretinoin
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin, INN, is a medication used mostly for cystic acne. It was first developed for brain, pancreatic and other cancers. It is used to treat harlequin-type ichthyosis, a usually lethal skin disease, and lamellar ichthyosis. Its effects are systemic and nonselective...
, which is currently the only medication accepted by the medical profession as being an effective sebosuppressive.
It has been referred to as a 'cure for acne' by the press. In fact it could not accurately be referred to as a cure, but at best an effective preventive treatment.
Origin
SMT D002 is a codename for an existing drug, used to treat a condition other than acne. For commercial reasons, Summit will not reveal its name or what it is currently used for. However, it is highly suspected that the drug is oxybutynin chloride, due to the discovery of US Pat. 12303680 - Filed Jun 7, 2007 - SUMMIT (CAMBRIDGE) LIMITED. Oxybutynin chloride is used to treat overactive bladder and urinary conditions. Additional evidence found at www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/cd-939533.pdf.Clinical trials
Two successful Phase I trials have been reported by Summit PLC. The first trial was described as a double-blind Phase I study in healthy volunteers using a single oral dose that showed up to a 70% reduction in sebum secretion. Prior to starting the second trial, Summit's director of clinical development Nigel Blackburn was quoted as saying:and
The second study was conducted using 18 healthy volunteers and examined the effect of repeat oral doses
of SMT D002 over a four-day period. The key findings of the trial were reported as follows:
- Statistically significant levels of sebum suppression (primary endpoint) of 90% when compared to the placebo group (p=0.04)
- SMT D002 proved to be safe with no serious or unexpected adverse side-effects reported
- Sebum levels measured over six hours following treatment using a Sebumeter, an industry accepted method
- Results from trial support a previous positive Phase I single-dose study conducted in nine volunteers
Future development
Summit PLC has indicated no plans to bring the pill form of SMT D002 to market, but has stated an intention to develop a topicalTopical
In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes such as the vagina, anus, throat, eyes and ears.Many topical medications are epicutaneous, meaning that they are applied directly to the skin...
formulation of the drug. The reason for developing a topical formulation has been given by Summit as 'to improve the way [it] is administered' and 'because it [is] likely to work more quickly'..
In May 2009 it was reported that, as part of a restructuring programme, a cross-licence agreement had been made with Orient Pharma Ltd:
A press release dated May 2010 implies that Summit PLC is no longer committing significant resources to SMT D002: