The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) awarded Signum Dermalogix, Inc. (Dermalogix)a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant totaling $1.6 million for the development of a topical drug candidate for atopic dermatitis.

Utilizing the funding provided with the earlier Phase I grant, Dermalogix established a novel screening paradigm to effectively identify potent therapeutic compounds from its isoprenylcysteine (IPC) technology platform, the company announced. These screening efforts resulted in the identification of several IPC compounds possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial activity. The company say this Phase II funding will be used to select a lead drug candidate and commence IND-enabling safety/toxicology studies.

“This award is further validation of the potential for IPC compounds in dermatology. We are pleased to be awarded this grant by the NIH and our objective continues to be the development of our technology with the goal of delivering therapeutic agents to treat skin disease,” stated Maxwell Stock, President & CEO, in a press release.

Dermalogix says it has a successful track record in receiving and executing on NIH funding. Recently, with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) SBIR funding, Dermalogix announced that an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application to evaluate IPC compound SIG990 in rosacea has been cleared by the FDA. Dr. Eduardo Perez, VP of R&D and Business Development stated, “Building on the experience and momentum provided by SIG990, we believe successful development of our novel class of topical IPC compounds will provide an important additional, and potentially better, therapeutic option for people suffering atopic dermatitis.”