Clinical Trial Update: FLASH Study

Provided by

Soligenix, Inc.

Fluorescent Light Activated Synthetic Hypericin (FLASH)

A Phase 3 Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study to Determine the Efficacy of Topical SGX301 (Synthetic Hypericin) and Fluorescent Bulb-Light Irradiation for the Treatment of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is currently being conducted by Soligenix, Inc. located in Princeton, NJ. Approximately 30 centers across the United States are participating in this trial with several new centers potentially joining the study in the first quarter of 2018. This trial aims to evaluate treatment response to Synthetic Hypericin (the active ingredient in the study drug SGX301) and address the growing demand for topical, skin directed therapies to treat early stage CTCL. The uniqueness of this experimental therapy stems from the photodynamic treatment which incorporates the application of the study ointment in combination with safe, visible fluorescent light as opposed to the more conventional (and potentially harmful) ultraviolet light. 

Although the trial is blinded to all patients, clinical study sites and to Soligenix (i.e., no one knows if they getting or giving SGX301 or placebo during the double-blind portion of the study), the response to the study thus far has been very positive from both the patients’ experiences as well as the hospitals and clinics enrolling patients. To date, the study drug has been well tolerated by the patients participating with no serious adverse events related to study drug being reported thus far. Although the trial begins with a double-blind portion, all participants in the trial eventually receive open label SGX301 therapy and if the patients like the response that they see when using the active study drug, a third, optional open label portion of the trial is available to them that allows patients to continue to treat their disease areas with another regimen of SGX301 therapy. Soligenix remains encouraged by the response to this trial and is pleased to report that the majority of patients who have participated in the double-blind portion have elected to continue into the optional open-label portion of this study, which we view as a testimonial to the perceived benefit the patients believe this potential new therapy brings them.

For more information, you can find centers participating in the trial on the CLF website or detailed information about the trial on www.clinicaltrials.gov.