SENETEK PLC ADR (fka SNTKY)

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Senetek Initiates Clinical Trials of Pyratine 6 for Acne Rosacea
Wednesday April 11, 8:30 am ET
Comparison of Pyratine 6 and Kinetin Clinicals Shows Dramatic Advancements


NAPA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Senetek PLC (OTCBB: SNTKY - News), a life sciences product development company targeting the science of aging, has initiated clinical trials of its Pyratine 6 compound (PRK 124) for Acne Rosacea after evaluating positive results from a comparison of separate clinical trials of Pyratine 6 and Kinetin, Senetek's original anti-aging active ingredient.
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An independent comparative analysis evaluated the effectiveness of Senetek's second-generation patented cytokinin, Pyratine 6 (PRK 124) relative to its original anti-aging active ingredient, Kinetin. The analysis compared results of separate clinical studies conducted at the University of California, Irvine (Kinetin) and at the independent research laboratory RCTS, Inc. in Irving, Texas (Pyratine 6). The subjects in the Pyratine 6 clinical trial scored significantly higher on each measure than those in the Kinetin study throughout the 12 weeks of evaluation. In some measures the comparison was particularly notable, such as fine wrinkles (22% improvement with Pyratine 6 vs. 2% improvement with Kinetin after eight weeks), skin roughness (86% improvement with Pyratine 6 vs. 35% improvement with Kinetin after eight weeks) and overall skin aging (24% vs. 3% after eight weeks).

The Pyratine 6 study also featured additional evaluative methodologies not included in the Kinetin study, such as the NOVA Dermal Phase Meter for measuring the skin's moisture content, and expert evaluations of reductions in erythema (redness) and acne lesions. The NOVA apparatus measured increases in skin moisture content of 35% and 41% after eight and twelve weeks, respectively. The evaluations found 42% and 62% reductions in erythema after two and four weeks, respectively, and a 45% reduction in acne lesions after twelve weeks. Pyratine 6 was well tolerated by all subjects, producing no measurable skin irritation or signs of allergic contact dermatitis with twice-daily application over the 12 week study period.

Frank Massino, Chief Executive Officer of Senetek commented, "The data collected through the comparative analysis of Pyratine 6 and Kinetin has given us significant reason to focus our efforts on taking the strategic steps necessary to launch Pyratine 6 commercially as an anti-aging compound as well as initiate clinical trials to prove that Pyratine 6 can also be used as an effective treatment for Acne Rosacea. Following our success with Kinetin, we are excited about the potential for Pyratine 6 as it presents yet another valuable opportunity for our Company."

Enrollment has begun on the new Senetek sponsored Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved pilot clinical study of Pyratine 6 for treatment of Rosacea, to be conducted at the University of California at Irvine. The comparative analysis results also have influenced one of the Company's prospective licensees, a major cosmetic company, to commence separate clinical trials of Pyratine 6 for Acne Rosacea and for skin whitening.

Acne Rosacea is a common chronic dermatosis characterized by inflammatory lesions and persistent erythema (redness) conservatively estimated to afflict some 16 million people in the U.S. and 45 million people worldwide. Acne Rosacea is currently primarily treated with oral antibiotics such as tetracycline and erythromycin and topical antibiotics such as metronidazole, which involve long-term tolerability and other health concerns.

About Senetek PLC

Senetek is a life sciences-driven product development and licensing company with a portfolio of intellectual properties targeting the science of aging, including skincare and dermatological therapeutics, erectile dysfunction and nutrition. Senetek holds patents on the use of Kinetin and its analog Zeatin, naturally occurring cytokinins that have proven effective in improving the appearance of aging skin with virtually none of the side effects associated with acid-based active ingredients, which it has licensed to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, and on a number of second generation cytokinins and other plant-derived compounds. Senetek's researchers at the University of Aarhus in Denmark also are collaborating with a broad range of academic and government-based research enterprises, including The Institute of Experimental Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, and with the Department of Dermatology, University of California at Irvine, to identify and evaluate additional new biologically active compounds for this high growth field. In addition, Senetek has entered into exclusive licenses for Europe and North America, respectively, for its patented combination drug treatment for erectile dysfunction, Invicorp®, has an exclusive manufacturing distributorship for its proprietary diagnostic monoclonal antibodies, and recently sold, with retained rights of profit participation, its patented drug delivery system, Reliaject®.

Visit Senetek PLC's Web site at http://www.senetekplc.com.

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