Asord™ (becocalcidiol) is our product candidate for the treatment of psoriasis. Asord™ is a novel topical calcitriol (vitamin D) analogue. Topical selective calcitriol and its analogues have been shown for many years to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Based on our completed Phase IIb study, Asord™ was statistically superior to vehicle in reducing plaque and did not result in excessive blood calcium levels, a side effect of existing calcitriol topical treatments for psoriasis. This allows the potential for use of Asord™ at higher doses and/or on larger body surface areas than can be achieved with existing calcitriol topical products. We believe that the ability to treat patients with higher doses may in turn offer the potential for enhanced efficacy. In our clinical and preclinical studies, Asord™ has been well tolerated with a low incidence of skin irritation.

QuatRx has licensed rights to the program to dermatology company, CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals for further development and commercialization. QuatRx will receive milestones and royalties based on development commercial progress with the compound.

Asord™ has been formulated into an ointment, and has undergone preliminary formulation work for cream, mousse and lotion forms that all appear feasible and which could provide a range of presentation options to address different patient needs. Asord™ has also successfully undergone pre-formulation feasibility work for combination with a topical steroid and a topical retinoid, two existing treatments for psoriasis.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the skin characterized by red patches covered with white scales, or plaques, that can occur on any part of the body. Psoriasis usually develops in individuals between 15 and 35 years of age but can develop at any time. In addition to its cosmetic aspect, psoriasis can have a profound effect on quality of life depending on location on the body and how much of the body is affected. Psoriasis is a very common condition with an estimated 1% to 3% of the adult population having the disease with various forms of severity. Over 18 million people in the U.S., Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. suffer from the disease. In these markets, approximately 10 million patients are currently diagnosed with psoriasis and approximately 81% of these patients receive treatment with topical therapies. In the United States, four million patients are currently diagnosed with psoriasis and approximately 87% of these patients receive topical therapy treatments.

Related Topics

Clinical Portfolio / Asord™ / Market Opportunity

Additional Reading

Biologically active noncalcemic analogs of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D with an abbreviated side chain containing no hydroxyl. L.A. Plum et al. PNAS. 2004. 101(18):6900-6904.