Oxcia is developing an oral product, OXC-101, mainly for treatments of cancer. In one of Oxcia’s clinical trials, a cancer patient with plaque psoriasis experienced significant improvement in the disease during OXC-101 treatment, indicating that OXC-101 might also have potential in skin diseases, as previously seen in pre-clinical models. OXC-101 is a mitotic MTH1 inhibitor with biological rationale also to treat skin diseases.

“We are very happy about the collaboration with LEO Pharma, a leading global dermatology company. Cancer cells and activated T cells have many similarities, i.e. increased oxidative stress and heightened levels of the enzyme MTH1, meaning that OXC-101 has potential also in auto-immune diseases. Together with Professor Helleday and Professor Enerbäck’s research groups, Oxcia have shown that OXC-101 has good effects in disease models for psoriasis and it is exciting that this is now further investigated. The patient that responded well on OXC-101 treatment is encouraging and we are looking forward to seeing the results of the continued development. At Oxcia, we also see the psoriasis project as a confirmation of the potential and versatility of the O2-DDR platform” says Ulrika Warpman Berglund, CEO of Oxcia.