Novel Topical Treatments for Common Skin Pathologies
About Us
Who We Are
Vertes Therapeutics is an early-stage pharmaceutical development company. We focus on development, preclinical, and clinical screening of bioactive small molecule compounds derived from natural sources with a prior history of safety in use.
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve patient care by developing safe and effective topical treatments for actinic keratosis and other common skin pathologies. We aim to develop topical treatments with an improved therapeutic index; topical products that are easier to use, have minimal or no side effects and provide more effective disease treatment and management than the current standard of care.
What We Have Developed
The Vertes Therapeutics development program has identified naturally-derived small molecule compounds for treatment of actinic keratosis, as well as herpes labialis (cold sores) and verruca (skin warts). The MOA includes antiviral activity and regulation of keratinocyte proliteration and differentiation.
Technology
The patent pending, small molecule compounds present in botanical sources undergo further extraction, chemical modification, and purification. The process starts from a concentrate of a controlled harvested, non-GMO, pesticide-free, botanical crop.
Two lead compounds are currently in development and clinical testing.
VT-31756
Compound VT-31756 is a water-soluble small molecule that has been shown to be topically effective in physician-sponsored, proof of concept clinical trials. VT-31756 shows moderately-strong in vitro antiviral activity against various strains of HPV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, as well as regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation (keratinocytes) and other relevant wound healing pathway.
VT-31756-DE
Compound VT-31756-DE is a second-generation prodrug esterified version of Compound VT-31756 that has shown in vitro to have a more robust gene regulation potential compared to VT-31756.
Pipeline
Current Status of Development & Testing of Compound VT-31756 in Dermatology
*Licensing or acquisition of technology will be offered after a successful Phase II study
1Fifteen of 30 patients completed with 6-month recheck. Results to date show improved efficacy of actinic keratosis topical treatment without inflammatory AEs.
2Case studies (patients with multiple prior SOC treatment failures).
Cofounding Members
Cofounding members of Vertes Therapeutics have more than 110 years of combined experience in pharmaceutical & skin care development, diagnostics and clinical testing, with more than 50 journal publications in dermatology and oncology.
David Vasily, M.D., FAAD
Dr. Vasily is the founder and president of Lehigh Valley Dermatology and the founder and medical director for Aesthetica Cosmetic & Laser Center of Bethlehem, PA. He is a renowned dermatologist and laser expert, past reviewer for Laser Therapy eJournal, JAMA, JAAD, Dermatology Surgery, the European Journal of Dermatology and Venereology and Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. He is a key opinion leader for medical device treatments for actinic keratosis and use of IGSRT versus surgery for NMSC treatment. His research interests span many facets of dermatology, with particular emphasis on prevention and treatment of skin cancer and skin infections.
John McCook, RPh
Mr. McCook is a product development scientist with several decades of R&D leadership experience with Unilever, PLC Companies and biotech startup management. His expertise spans drug development, regulatory, clinical testing, safety and manufacturing with IND filings for small molecule treatment of cancers. He is the inventor or coinventor of 28 U.S. patents focused on new treatments in dermatology and oncology. As the managing member of Vertes Therapeutics, his research interest is the development and topical delivery of safe and effective small molecules for improved treatment of common skin diseases.
Denise Veres, M.S.
Ms. Veres is a seasoned clinical trial manager with 25 years of clinical experience in designing and monitoring drug, device, OTC and personal care product studies as an independent consultant and as an employee of P&G and Richardson-Vicks. She has broad experience in clinical protocol design, study monitoring and audits for new drugs and devices. Her expertise spans all clinical test phases in dermatology, cardiology, central nervous system, hematology, ophthalmology, pain management, oncology and hepatology. She currently supports Vertes Therapeutics’ physician-sponsored proof of concept trials for topical treatments for actinic keratosis.
Contact Us
Vertes Therapeutics is seeking Seed and Series A funding and welcomes further inquiries from interested parties.