RXi closes licensing deal with Hapten for Samcyprone gel

RXi announced the closing of a global license agreement for the therapeutic use of Samcyprone topical gel with Hapten Pharmaceuticals.

Samcyprone is a proprietary immunomodulating topical gel with the active ingredient of diphenylcyclopropenone (DCPC), which is currently being investigated in phase 2a clinical trials for the treatment of alopecia areata, warts and cutaneous metastases of malignant melanoma, according to a press release from RXi.

Hapten received a one-time, upfront cash payment of $100,000 and 200,000 shares of RXi common stock under the terms of the agreement. Additionally, Hapten will be entitled to future milestone payments related to achieving certain objectives, including enrollment of the first patient in a phase 3 clinical trial, regulatory approval and royalties based on product sales.

Although patients treated with DCPC are typically sensitized with an initial high-concentration dose of the drug followed by treatment with low, non-irritant concentrations, Samcyprone allows for sensitization using a much lower concentration of DPCP, avoiding the hypersensitization to challenge doses, which should help improve safety and tolerability while maintaining the known efficacy of DPCP, according to the release.

Reference: www.rxipharma.com.