Hi Dee,

Yes, SL017 is the topical that contains a certain which contains a derivitive of Hypocrellin B. This chemical actually comes from a fungi that is parasitic to bamboo.

Anyway, this pigment has been found to react under certain wavelengths of light. It is a photosensitizer. I believe that Quest first started looking at this pigment as a treatment for acne. It was their hope the treatment would migrate to the subaceous glands. Once there a light treatment would destroy the bacteria found in the subaceous glands that are causing the acne outbreak. However, they found the treatment did not migrate to the subaceous glands, rather it migrated to the hair follicle (approximately 30 minutes after 30 minutes after application). The pigment does not remain in the epidermis or dermis and it is quickly broken down so there any side effects are nil.

To answer the second part of your question...yes, they are looking to raise capital to continue their trials. They are a publicly traded company so it would basically be the same as offering more stock to the general public.

Thank you jme. That all sounds vey exciting.

Dee

Hi,

here are some more links on PDT I found surfing the Internet.

http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic562.htm

http://www.skinandlasers.com/asp/UpLoad/publication/TreatmentofNonpigmentedHairs.pdf

http://www.freshpatents.com/Methods-and-...20050215524.php

Thanks Jeff...

It sounds like a lot of research has been going on with PDT. After reading the third link, I believe that Quest Pharmatech has done a lot with PDT retention, so that probably won't be an issue.

I dunno Jme, this is the first I have heard about PDT retention but these articles often seem to be referring to ALA (Aminolevulinic acid). Quest is not using this acid as a photosenitiser (they are using Hypocrellin- parasitic fungus on bambo) so perhaps this doesn't have the same issues with PDT retention?
I suppose there will be side effects with everything though. Hopefully those participating in the clinical trails aren't harmed.

Eddy,

This newer generation of PDT photosensitizer is "95% metabolized and cleared from the body within 24 hours, freeing patients from the need to hide from the sun for weeks after treatment."

This is dealing with cancer treatment but these newer compounds would also relate to those used in hair removal (Quest).

http://www.nextgenerationpdt.com/store/default.pl

Eddy & JME1,

You are right, Quest isn't using ALA, they use another compound like you both suggested. Here is another Quest patent which partly deals with hair removal.

Patent:

http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=WO2007016762&F=0


Has anyone a clue what this could be??

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/ne...sutism-naturals

Sounds like Kalo stuff

Well for anyone who is interested Quest stock has been up over 100% in the last three days so maybe there will be good news on the clinical trials (results due in June?). Although they did just issue a press release regarding their prostate cancer drug so maybe it has more to do with that? Anyways they have a bit more funding now to continue their research!

I hoping an answer is on the horizon!

Thanks again, Eddy.

There is some more news on their webpage's news section today.