Psoriasis is a skin disease characterised by inflammation and scaly lesions of the skin affecting 2-3% of the population in Europe and North America. Several different therapies are currently being used to treat psoriasis, but they all have the possibility of serious side effects. Additionally, they are expensive to produce and lack efficacy in some patients.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde have isolated a novel compound for the treatment of psoriasis from a plant extract of Calendula officinalis (marigold). The compound has anti-proliferative effects against normal skin cells growing in tissue culture and has cleared initial regulatory toxicology testing. The compound can be applied locally to affected areas of the skin, thereby minimising the chances of systemic side effects.
This compound could be applied topically to affected areas of the skin for the treatment of psoriasis.
The technology is protected by patent applications filed by the University of Strathclyde as WO97/04788 (now granted in the USA as 6,225,342) and WO98/32761 (now granted in the USA as 6,313,099). Contact is welcomed from organisations interested in developing, licensing or exploiting this technology.
For further information, please contact Research & Knowledge Exchange Services: e: rkes@strath.ac.uk t: 0141 548 3707 f: 0141 552 4409