QuatRx Pharmaceuticals Co of Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced that it has filed a registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of common stock amounting to $86.25 million. Among its portfolio of development-stage compounds is becocalcidiol (QRX-101), a novel topical vitamin D analogue product candidate for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis without ensuing hypercalcemia.

In July 2005, QuatRx announced the results of a phase IIb trial of becocalcidiol in which it demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in both the Physicians' Global Assessment (PGA) of psoriasis and the Psoriasis Symptom Score. The multicenter study, conducted at 12 sites across the US, involved 185 patients treated for 8 weeks, and included three arms: high-dose becocalcidiol, low-dose becocalcidiol, and vehicle. Patients at both high and low dose levels of becocalcidiol demonstrated a statistically significant difference from vehicle based on the primary endpoint of the PGA, showing psoriatic lesions clear or almost clear. At the high dose of becocalcidiol, more than five times the number of patients reached this endpoint compared with vehicle. Patients treated at the high dose level also showed a statistically significant reduction in psoriasis symptom severity and affected body surface area compared to vehicle. Becocalcidiol at both dose levels was well tolerated and adverse events were infrequent. The findings were also consistent with several previous studies, indicating that treatment with becocalcidiol did not affect calcium parameters in these patients.

Founded in 2000, QuatRx has exclusive worldwide marketing and distribution rights to becocalcidiol as a topical treatment for skin disorders. The company is currently entering into discussions with potential corporate partners in preparation for phase III studies and commercialization of becocalcidiol.

—A. Techman