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Courier Mail
Edition 1 - First with the newsSAT 29 NOV 2003, Page 084
EpiTan scorches on trials


SHARES in EpiTan Ltd leapt more than 10 per cent yesterday following the release of trial results showing the biotech company's anti-sunburn drug delivered significant reductions in sunburn damage.
The phase two human trials of EpiTan's Melanotan drug, which stimulates production of melanin in the skin, showed a significant increase in melanin levels in Melanotan-treated volunteers.
The news sent EpiTan shares 6 higher to 65. Seven months ago, they were trading at 13.
EpiTan is developing technology based on using increased melanin levels to protect people from sunburn damage and the risk of skin cancers. Professor of Dermatology at Sydney University Ross Barnetson, who oversaw the trials, said the tests also showed sunburn injury was reduced by up to 50 per cent in fair-skinned people who took the drug.
``The aim of the trial was to determine how Melanotan could reduce the degree and toxicity of sunburn in 80 healthy volunteers exposed to ultraviolet light both before and after a regime of the drug," Professor Barnetson said.
``The fair-skinned people who took Melanotan had half the skin damage after the study compared with before the study.''
However, some medical experts have issued a word of caution about the drug, saying it could give people a false sense of security about their level of protection from the sun -- as well as being harmful in itself.

Caption: SIGNIFICANT damage reduction . . . EpiTan's trials have proved promising.
Illus: Photo
Section: FINANCE