Update on human studies & IP portfolio extension

SkinBioTherapeutics plc

Interim update on human studies and extension of IP portfolio

Manchester, UK - 31 January 2019 - SkinBioTherapeutics plc (AIM: SBTX - "SkinBioTherapeutics" or the "Company"), a life science company focused on skin health, provides interim data on the third and final phase of its human studies and an update on one of its patents.

SkinBioTherapeutics has completed testing on 60 of the total 120 volunteers for its human study, with no compliance or safety concerns. The final 60 volunteers are now being treated and the Company remains on track to complete the study during Q1 2019 as expected. 

The study is double-blinded, meaning neither the volunteers nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment, to prevent any bias. For this reason, SkinBioTherapeutics will need the full dataset before it can be 'unblinded' for statistical analysis. The data will then be assessed to determine effectiveness - whether the SkinBiotix® technology retains the same beneficial property of improving skin health when in a cream formulation.

The resulting safety, irritancy and effectiveness data will be shared with potential global partners interested in commercialising the SkinBiotix® technology. A number of these companies have provided input into the study testing and analysis protocols.

In addition to the interim human study data, the Company has expanded its patent portfolio, with a patent proceeding to grant in Mexico. Adding protection around the SkinBiotix® technology is a key part of the Company's strategy. This patent will add to those already granted in Australia, New Zealand and Russia and a number of other patent applications are in process.

Dr Cath O'Neill, CEO of SkinBioTherapeutics, commented:

"We have now recruited all 120 volunteers and, at this mid-way point, there are no safety concerns. We remain on schedule to complete the human study during the first quarter of 2019.

"Being able to determine the potential for our SkinBiotix® technology as a clinically effective solution to improve skin health allows us to actively progress discussions with partners interested in commercialising the technology as a cosmetic.

"We are also determined to protect our intellectual property, hence the expansion of our patent portfolio."

The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 and has been arranged for release by Doug Quinn, CFO of the Company. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

-ENDS-

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About SkinBioTherapeutics plc

SkinBioTherapeutics is a life science company focused on skin health. The Company's proprietary platform technology, SkinBiotix®, is based upon discoveries made by CEO Dr. Catherine O'Neill and Professor Andrew McBain.

SkinBioTherapeutics' platform applies research discoveries made on the activities of lysates derived from probiotic bacteria when applied to the skin. The Company has shown that the SkinBiotix® platform can improve the barrier effect of skin models, protect skin models from infection and repair skin models. Proof of principle studies have shown that the SkinBiotix® platform has beneficial attributes applicable to each of these areas. 

SkinBioTherapeutics received seed funding from the Tech Transfer office of the University of Manchester for the discovery of SkinBiotix®. The platform was subsequently spun out of the University of Manchester in March 2016 and was funded by OptiBiotix (AIM: OPTI).

The Company joined AIM in April 2017 concurrent with raising £4.5 million from a placing of new ordinary shares.

The Company is based in Manchester, UK. For more information, visit www.skinbiotherapeutics.com.