Topokine Announces Addition of XOPH5 Ointment to Clinical Pipeline

BOSTON, May 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Topokine Therapeutics has announced the initiation of clinical trials with XOPH5 Ointment for reduction of fat pouches around the eyelids (steatoblepharon). As part of the randomized controlled trials, subjects are applying XOPH5 Ointment once a night to skin on the lower eyelid.

"Tens of millions of Americans suffer from fat pouches around the eyes, which can make the face appear haggard and fatigued," said Michael Singer, MD, PhD, a board-certified ophthalmologist and Topokine's Chief Scientific Officer.  "Today, when patients ask what can be done, physicians explain the pros and cons of blepharoplasty surgery.  We'd like to add another option to the conversation, in the form of a once-daily topical ointment."

The therapy's origins data back to an observation in the Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology that prostaglandin eye drops have a common side effect of reducing fat around the eye.  The observations have now been confirmed in over a dozen independent, peer-reviewed scientific publications.  XOPH5 ointment is being developed as a once-daily skin application for local, controlled fat reduction in patients with excess eyelid fat.

"The fact that the XOPH5 program began with a clinical observation – fat reduction around the human eye – means that the product has a high probability of success at reducing eyelid fat and may become an important agent to treat this condition," said John LaMattina, Pfizer's former President of Global R&D and a Senior Advisor to Topokine.

"XOPH5 Ointment, XAF5 Gel and TAT4 Gel aim to expand the physician's aesthetic toolkit," said President and CEO Murat Kalayoglu, MD, PhD.  "We see a gap in treatment options between invasive office-based procedures on the one end, and cosmetics that temporarily conceal blemishes on the other end.  If approved, our suite of products would fill that gap with innovative, topical medical therapy."

About Topokine

Topokine Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing topical medications for non-invasive contouring of the face and body. The company's lead program, XAF5 Gel, is a topical adipomodulatory product in Phase 2 clinical development for local reduction of excess submental fat ("double chin") and other indications. Topokine's pipeline also includes XOPH5 Ointment to treat steatoblepharon (eyelid fat) and TAT4, a topical "filler" therapy to increase local tissue volume.

About Steatoblepharon

Pouches of fat in and around the eyelids are a common cause of cosmetic dissatisfaction due to an aged and fatigued appearance.  Today, these pouches can be treated with blepharoplasty.  This is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures in the United States (~250,000 per year), a testament to the prevalence of steatoblepharon and its impact on people's quality of life. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the development of XOPH5 Ointment.  These statements are based on Topokine's current beliefs and expectations, but actual results may differ.

Media Contact: Matt Burke, Topokine Therapeutics, Inc., 1.617.203.2034, [email protected]

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Topokine Therapeutics, Inc.