Syntopix signs co-development agreement with Procter & Gamble

Development deal

Syntopix, a company spun out from the University of Leeds in 2003, has signed an agreement with Procter & Gamble to co-develop and commercialise its anti-microbial technology for the treatment of dermatological diseases. The agreement, whose details have not been disclosed, will back Syntopix’ strategy to expand its compound library and intellectual assets into dermatological and other consumer healthcare markets.

Syntopix focuses on improving compounds with well established properties such as anti-inflammatories and anti-microbials. It has identified several lead drug candidates for the treatment of acne and Staphylococcus aureus infections, which it aims to take through to pre-clinical and clinical trials.

Stephen Jones, CEO of Syntopix, said: “I am delighted that Syntopix has entered into this joint development agreement with Procter & Gamble, the world’s largest consumer goods product company. We believe that Syntopix’ anti-microbial technology has the potential to improve the effectiveness of consumer healthcare brands and it is particularly pleasing to sign this agreement with a company such as Procter & Gamble.”

He continued: “This agreement validates our strategy of broadening the number of potential markets available to the anti-microbial expertise of Syntopix to include consumer healthcare, as well as the over the counter and prescription markets associated with treating dermatological conditions.”

Syntopix investors include the University of Leeds and the Wellcome Trust. The company is based at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation in Bradford, a location which enables it to benefit from the expertise in skin biology, formulation and toxicology at the adjoining Universities of Bradford and Leeds.