Study In Nature By Magen BioSciences Co-Founder David E. Fisher Sheds New Light On The Pathway Of Pigment Production In Skin

Magen BioSciences, Inc., a specialty dermatology company, today announced the publication of a paper in the journal Nature by its co-founder and board member, David E. Fisher,
M.D., Ph.D., that sheds new light on the mechanism of pigment production in
skin. The paper has important implications for genetically predisposed
fair-skinned individuals that are susceptible to skin damage induced by
ultraviolet (UV) radiation.



In humans, fair skin is caused by a genetic variation in a cell surface
receptor in the melanin production pathway that leaves it unable to respond
to UV radiation. While fair skin is advantageous in colder climates, it is
susceptible to severe damage from sun light, which can cause photo aging,
solar lentigos, actinic keratosis, and skin cancer. Fisher's study finds
that in a mouse model, pigment can be induced without UV radiation by
topical application of a targeted small molecule that stimulates the
pathway, bypassing the non-responsive receptor.



For Magen BioSciences, the study in Nature provides important proof of
concept for the company's approach to identify and develop therapeutic
treatments for pigmentation disorders.



"The ability to develop melanin is a crucial protective function of the
skin," said David Fisher, with the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute. "This study
strongly suggests that even in fair-skinned individuals who appear to be
unable to produce pigment in response to UV radiation, the fundamental
machinery for melanin production can still be intact and can be activated."



"Dr. Fisher's advances in the understanding of the complex pigmentation
pathway will help Magen BioSciences to identify lead compounds in our
effort to develop therapeutic treatments for medical pigmentation
disorders," said Brian Gallagher, Ph.D., Magen's president and Chief
Executive Officer. "This discovery is critical in helping Magen with our
mission to create drugs that could treat previously underserved medical
populations with disfiguring dermatological pigmentation disorders such as
vitiligo, melasma, solar lentigos and post-inflammation hyperpigmentation,
as well as other photo-related disorders such as PMLE ("sun allergy"),
actinic prurigo and xeroderma pigmentosum."



About Magen BioSciences



Magen BioSciences is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on
developing proprietary medical therapies for the dermatology market. Magen
was co-founded in March 2006 by Richard Aldrich, David Fisher, M.D. Ph.D.,
Phillip Sharp, Ph.D., David Shaw, Christopher Walsh, Ph.D. and Christoph
Westphal, M.D., Ph.D. Investors include Alexandria Real Estate, ARCH
Venture Partners, Highland Capital Partners, IDG Ventures, Lux Capital, QVT
Financial LP, TVM Capital and Venrock Associates.



Magen BioSciences, Inc.

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