A topical therapy to treat shingles pain

Solexan™: A Topical Treatment for Shingles

Our current priority is developing our undecylenic acid-based formulation, Solexan™, for shingles.

Varicella Zoster Virus

Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster Virus. Primary infection with the virus causes Chicken Pox, usually in children. After symptoms subside, the virus lies dormant in nerves, sometimes for decades. Shingles, or Herpes Zoster, occurs when the virus reactivates, typically brought on by stress or a weakened immune system. Shingles is most common in the elderly population, and one in three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime.

Shingles is a painful disease, with a painful rash presenting on the torso, and sometimes on the face and limbs. Symptoms typically subside within seven to ten days, but in some patients, shingles can cause other medical complications. One in five people over 50 will develop post-herpetic neuralgia, pain that remains after symptoms have resolved. In some cases, pain can remain for months or years; 15% of patients experience pain for years, causing significant burden to their quality of life.

The current frontline treatment is antivirals. Unfortunately, these drugs are only effective if given within three days of symptom onset, meaning many patients are left with only painkillers to treat the disease.

Clinical Trials Set to Start in 2023

Solexan™, our lead therapy, could be the solution to shingles. Solexan™ is already FDA-registered as a topical antifungal, meaning our safety profile is already established, allowing us to fast-track Solexan™ into clinical trials. Being a topical therapy, it can be easily applied and self-administered.

In collaboration with Professor Jennifer Moffat at Upstate Medical University NY, we have generated convincing preclinical evidence that Solexan™ can directly target viral replication. We are currently preparing for a Phase IIa Clinical Trial to test the efficacy of Solexan™ in patients with shingles. The trial is set to begin in 2023.

If you would like to know more, please contact us.