Dipexium Pharmaceuticals Presents Updated Locilex® Microbiology Data at 54th ICAAC Conference

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRX), a late stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of Locilex® (pexiganan cream 0.8%), and research collaborators, today announced updated data from a microbiology study of Locilex® were presented at the 54th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in Washington, D.C.

Data demonstrate that pexiganan, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Locilex®, has potent in vitro activity against a broad spectrum of contemporary gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria isolated from diabetic foot infections (DFI), as well as resistant bacteria from other types of skin infections. Pexiganan is active against difficult-to-treat bacteria including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecium, Citrobacter koseri, Enterobacter cloacae, and Klebsiella oxytoca. These bacteria are known to have demonstrated resistance against many currently available antimicrobial agents including several of the quinolone class of antibiotics and the three antibiotics which, together, comprise Neosporin®. The "all organism" minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀) of 32 µg/ml for the DFI isolates in this study was noted to be 250 times below the concentration of pexiganan in Locilex®'s topical cream formulation, indicating that the achievable topical levels of pexiganan should be sufficient to inhibit most infecting organisms. Lastly, it was noted that further study is warranted in infected patients with DFI as well as other wound and skin infections for whom topical therapy is appropriate.

"These updated microbiology data provide additional strong support for the rationale behind our on-going pivotal Phase 3 program in patients with mild infections of diabetic foot ulcers, as well as Locilex®'s potential clinical development in other skin and wound infections," stated David P. Luci, President & Chief Executive Officer of Dipexium.

A copy of the ICAAC poster presentation can be found on Dipexium's website at www.dipexiumpharmaceuticals.com/locilex/key-publications.

About Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRX) is a late-stage pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of Locilex® (pexiganan cream 0.8%), a novel, broad spectrum, topical antibiotic peptide. Initially, Locilex® is targeted for the treatment of Mild DFI. Based on a compilation of available clinical and microbiology data, Locilex® is also considered a promising product candidate to treat other mild and moderate skin and skin structure infections, including infected decubitus ulcers, infected burns, infected surgical wounds and nasal colonization of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any statements of representatives and partners of Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") related thereto contain, or may contain, among other things, certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws.  Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties.  Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's plans, objectives, projections, expectations and intentions and other statements identified by words such as "projects," "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "potential" or similar expressions.  These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and those that relate to the Company's ability to leverage the expertise of employees and partners to assist the Company in the execution of its strategy.  Actual results (including, without limitation, the timing for and results of the clinical trials and proposed NDA submission for Locilex®) may differ significantly from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various factors (many of which are beyond the Company's control).  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Company Contacts:

David P. Luci
President & Chief Executive Officer
Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
212-269-2834
[email protected]

David Garrett
Vice President, Finance & Corporate Development
Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
212-269-2834

SOURCE Dipexium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.