Sydney-based biopharma Apollo Life Sciences (ASX:AOP) has commenced its phase Ib clinical trial for a topical psoriasis treatment, developed from human-expressed protein.

The trial, which is being conducted by CMAX at Royal Adelaide Hospital, will assess safety and tolerability of single and multiple applications both in healthy subjects and in subjects with mild to moderate chronic plaque type psoriasis. All subjects in the first two stages of the study will receive the treatment. In the third stage, the topical cream will be compared with a control through double-blinded randomisation of the subjects.

Psoriasis affects around 3 per cent of the world's population. It involves an overreaction of the immune system resulting in severely inflamed skin and can seriously affect health and quality of life. Treatments are often required for years, and entail unwanted side effects.

The active component in Apollo's topical cream belongs to the class of drug known as TNF blockers which have been shown to reduce inflammation and are widely regarded as safe drugs when used with patients suffering elevated levels of TNF.

Site initiation has been completed and healthy volunteers have been selected, screened and the treatment applied. Results from the trial are expected in the first quarter of 2006.