Clinuvel is developing new drugs to improve the lives of individuals with severe skin disorders. Our lead technologies, SCENESSE® (afamelanotide) and CUV9900, are from a new class of drugs, known as melanocortins, which are based on the naturally occurring hormone α-MSH.
Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH) is a naturally occurring hormone released by skin cells in response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) following exposure to sunlight or artificial sources of UV. α-MSH activates melanin, a brown pigment which provides skin with colour and protection from UV/light (photoprotection). SCENESSE® is a first-in-class dermatological drug being developed solely by Clinuvel. The active ingredient in SCENESSE® is afamelanotide, a chemical analogue of α-MSH which activates melanin in the skin. This mimics the skin’s natural protective umbrella against UVR and sunlight. SCENESSE® is delivered as a subcutaneous, dissolving implant approximately the size of a rice grain. Increased pigmentation of the skin appears after two days and lasts up to two months.
Clinuvel has identified groups of patients with a high clinical need for photoprotection and one disorder with a need for repigmentation therapy. Clinuvel has completed testing of SCENESSE® in Phase II and III trials in Australia and Europe for the orphan disease erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). In February 2012 a marketing authorisation application for SCENESSE® was filed for review by the European Medicines Agency.
A Phase II study of the SCENESSE® in EPP was completed in the USA in 2011, with a Phase III planned to commence in 2012. Two studies of the drug are also underway in the common pigmentary disorder vitiligo, one each in the USA and Europe.
In addition to our drug development program, Clinuvel has developed an extensive online resource library, the Science of Skin, focused on the interactions between skin, light and melanin. This project, in evolution since 2007, has expanded beyond our site to include interactive content across Youtube, Twitter and Facebook.
The team at Clinuvel is excited by the potential of SCENESSE® to improve the conditions and lives of people living with these various disorders. We are currently employing all our in-house knowledge and expertise to make its approval and administration a reality.
