Signum Biosciences awarded $1.6 million SBIR Phase II grant

Sep 11 2009

Signum Biosciences, Inc has been awarded a $1.6 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant by the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases (NIAID) to continue the development of its topical STM (Signal Transduction Modulator) anti-inflammatory technology for the treatment of inflammatory skin disease.

In 2008, NIH/NIAID awarded Signum a SBIR Phase I grant to establish this novel class of anti-inflammatories. SBIR Phase II grants enable SBIR Phase I grantees to further develop their technology and prepare it for commercialization. Signum will use the Phase II grant to fund preclinical development of Signum's lead drug candidates for rosacea. Rosacea is a common, chronic cutaneous condition afflicting millions of individuals. FDA approved treatments have yielded mixed results, often leaving patients with significant levels of facial redness. Successful pharmaceutical development of STM anti-inflammatories will provide an important additional, and potentially better, therapeutic option for people suffering from rosacea redness.

The objective of the Phase II grant is to be granted an IND and commence Phase I clinical trials. "We are proud to have been awarded this grant and to have the reviewers at the NIH validate our technology. Building on our Phase I achievements, Signum is dedicated to developing its STM anti-inflammatory platform as novel therapeutics for rosacea as well as several other dermal skin disorders", stated Maxwell Stock, President and Chief Operating Officer.