Mr. Culpepper: Provectus Pharmaceuticals is a development-stage company that has been in existence since April 2002. Since that time, we have been developing drugs for two main therapeutic areas, oncology and dermatology. Our lead oncology agent, PV-10, is being developed as a therapy for several different types of cancers, but we are farthest along in our therapy for metastatic melanoma. And then we have another compound, PH-10, which is being developed for serious skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, which is more commonly known as eczema.
TWST: Would you comment further on your clinical programs? Are you happy with the way things have been going up to this point?
Mr. Culpepper: Yes, our two therapeutic areas are each in categories that have multibillion-dollar revenue potential, so they are very large markets. We have completed enrollment in three Phase II studies, one for metastatic melanoma, and the others for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. And we accomplished all of these milestones in the last five months. We have also treated all patients in the PV-10 trial for metastatic melanoma. The Phase I trials were to determine safety, while Phase II trials determine efficacy. So as soon as we assess the data for these three Phase IIs, we're in a position to enter into the final phase, Phase III, for each of these. So we have advanced a long way. From a corporate standpoint, after the completion of Phase II trials is when big pharmaceutical companies generally like to do deals. And for a small company, that's very important. Provectus would consider partnering with a large entity to license our dermatology drug for eczema and psoriasis. The results of the Phase II data play an important part in the partnering process. We would also consider partnering for our oncology therapy. In terms of timing, our first partnership or licensing agreement would probably be for our dermatology therapy. So we're in a very good position, well advanced in the clinic, and we're very happy because the drug is working very nicely in cancer and dermatology. We can see it working already. The best point about Phase II for us is we've already seen and presented interim data for PV-10 for metastatic melanoma. We know it's safe, and we know it's working.
Tickers included in this excerpt: PVCT.OB
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