Fluence Therapeutics believes it's found a better way to treat skin ailments like psoriasis using a new light therapy.
The Akron company formed in 2009 to commercialize photodynamic therapy technology developed at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center.
"We are commercializing photodynamic therapy using Pc 4, a novel photosensitizer," says CEO Warren Goldenberg. "Our initial application is the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis."
Goldenberg explains that "photodynamic therapy involves both a pharmaceutical (the photosensitizer) and a light source which activates the photosensitizer to kill certain cells. We are developing two products: a photosensitizer containing Pc 4 as its active ingredient and a light source (device)."
Current treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis is light therapy and systemic pharmaceuticals. Light therapy can involve the use of ultraviolet light B (UVB) alone or a combination of ultraviolet light A (UVA) combined with systemically or topically administered psoralen (PUVA).
"We believe our products will have higher efficacy than current light-based therapies and, since they use red light, they do not create the cancer risk of current UV therapies," Goldenberg says.
"Moderate to severe psoriasis is also treated with systemic (i.e., taken orally or by injection) pharmaceuticals distributed by major pharmaceutical companies and generic manufacturers. Many of these medications are used for other diseases, including arthritis. Biological therapies, however, do not work in all patients. They suppress the immune system and have been shown to have a number of side effects including increased rates of infections and potentially increased rates of certain kinds of cancers (particularly lymphomas). They are contraindicated in many cases (e.g., for patients with infections or compromised immune systems) and they are very expensive," he says.
Human clinical trials are underway at University Hospitals Case Medical Center with support from the National Institutes of Health. The technology has been developed with over $32,000,000 of funding from the NIH.
Fluence has three part-time employees. Provided it obtains sufficient funding, the company hopes to grow to 40 employees over five years, including management, product development (engineers and chemists), clinical, regulatory and business development.
Source: Warren Goldenberg, Fluence Therapeutics
Writer: Patrick G. Mahoney