Developing and commercialising
medicines for dermatology diseases with
major unmet needs

Our unique approach leverages deep scientific knowledge of medical dermatology to
identify ‘de-risked’ opportunities to improve patients’ lives

ALOPECIA AREATA

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder
characterised by non-scarring hair loss on the scalp and body.

This currently represents a major under-served area of dermatology - particularly for patients with mild-moderate (patchy) disease:

  • No approved therapies for mild-moderate alopecia areata, and yet the disease
    burden is as significant as patients with severe disease
  • 800,000 patients in the US, of which at least 50% are mild-moderate ‘patchy’ AA sufferers
  • Recognised by the FDA as a debilitating condition and a priority for new therapies, across all severities

STS-01

Soterios’ lead programme (STS-01)
completes Phase II trial for mild / moderate alopecia areata.

STS-01 is being developed to address the need for an effective, safe and convenient non-steroidal topical therapy for patients with mild-moderate (patchy) alopecia areata.

The product builds on a mechanism with a well established safety profile in dermatology, and existing evidence of efficacy in this indication through targeting key relevant cytokines. STS-01 has been modified to maximise the efficacy of this mechanism, and offer a cosmetically elegant topical cream.

Whilst the JAK inhibitors have the potential to offer a new treatment option for severe patients, their use more broadly will be limited by concerns with their side effect profiles (and price).

STS-01 has announced positive topline data from its 158-patient Phase-II study.

LINK TO PRESS RELEASE

management

David Fleet (CEO) has over 35 years experience in research and development within the pharmaceutical industry. David was the 9th original member of staff at Shire, where he was responsible for the early drug development of a number of subsequently successful products (Reminyl, Adderall, Fosrenol). For the last 17 years David has managed Data Magik Ltd, designing, analysing and reporting clinical trials for over 50 companies ranging from large global pharmaceutical to small biotechnology companies, including: Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca and Axon.
Mark Brimble (CBO) has over 25 years experience in commercial roles within the pharmaceutical industry. Mark founded Globe Life Sciences Ltd in 2012, which has become a leading consultancy specialising in commercial strategy and evaluation, particularly for early-stage assets. Over the last 6 years Globe has advised major pharmaceutical – as well as supporting biotech companies develop their partnering strategies – and has been involved in over £1bn M&A / licensing transactions. Prior to Globe, Mark was a director at Propagate Pharma Ltd, a pharmaceutical consultancy, for 10 years. Before this Mark was in the Global Commercial Division of Glaxo (now GlaxoSmithKline), providing commercial input to corporate strategy (including M&A assessment).
Josh Fleet (COO) has had a number of successful startups in the tech space, raising large amount of funds for each business from high net worth individuals. Josh has leveraged this experience during the start-up phase of Soterios, developing the strategic direction of the organisation as well as utilising his network of investors to provide funding for Soterios.

Advisors

Harry Stratford OBE brings a wealth of experience from over 40 years in the pharmaceutical industry, notably as founder and CEO of Shire Pharmaceuticals Plc, and as founder, CEO and Executive Chairman of Prostrakan, subsequently acquired by Kyowa Hakko Kirin in 2011.
Peter Bains was the CEO of Syngene and the CEO of Sosei Group. Prior to this Peter had a 23-year career at GlaxoSmithKline, where he held multiple senior roles including General Manager of China, Head of Global Marketing and Senior VP of International Commercial Operations. Peter currently sits on the board of a number of biotechs including Mina Therapeutics.
Prof Andrew Messenger is often referred to as the ‘godfather of hair’, he has had a clinical and research interest in hair disease for 30+ years. Andrew was president of the European Hair Research Society, president of the North of England Dermatological Society and has been president of the Institute of Trichologists since 2009. Andrew was also Chair of the 7th World Congress for Hair Research.
Majella Lane is the Director of the UCL Skin Research Group and the Editor-In-Chief of the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Her research group uses a range of biophysical techniques to probe the mechanisms of skin and nail penetration and modulation. Her major research interests are in the development of optimal drug formulations for effective delivery of therapeutics, with special reference to skin, nail and to mucus membranes.