From acquisition to advancement: How Medicus Pharma is shaping the future of medicine

Medicus Pharma (NASDAQ:MDCX) is a clinical stage holding company focused on investing in and accelerating novel life sciences and biotechnology companies.

Skinject, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Medicus Pharma, is a development stage, life sciences company focused on commercializing novel, non-invasive treatment  for basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer using patented dissolvable microneedle patch to deliver chemotherapeutic agent to eradicate tumors cells. The company currently has an FDA approved phase 2 trial actively recruiting patients.

Medicus Pharma (NASDAQ:MDCX) has received regulatory approval from the UAE Department of Health to begin a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating its non-invasive therapy for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin.

The study, designated SKNJCT-004, will enroll up to 36 patients across four medical centers in the UAE.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will assess the efficacy of two doses of Medicus’ topical formulation, D-MNA, against a placebo. Patients will be assigned in equal groups to receive either 100μg or 200μg of D-MNA, or placebo.

The 200μg dose was previously tested in the company’s Phase 1 trial (SKNJCT-001), which concluded in March 2021 and met its safety and tolerability goals. No serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities were reported, and six of the 13 participants experienced complete histological clearance of their BCC lesions.

Medicus Pharma (NASDAQ:MDCX) announced that it has entered into a binding letter of intent to acquire Antev, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm developing a first-in-market product Teverelix for acute urinary retention (AUR) and high cardiovascular risk prostate cancer.  

Teverelix, a next-generation GnRH antagonist, targets the prevention of recurrent AUR in males aged 45 years and older with benign prostate hyperplasia.  

Medicus Pharma (NASDAQ:MDCX) said it has received approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to increase the number of participants in its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of a novel non-invasive treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common form of skin cancer.

The company will raise the trial's enrollment target to 90 patients from 60 and expand the study beyond the current nine clinical sites in the United States to additional US locations and two in Europe.

Medicus Pharma (TSX-V:MDCX), a healthcare-focused holding company, is making strides in the clinical trial stage by acquiring or partnering with life-science firms, analysts at Zacks Research believe.

In a note initiating coverage of the healthcare stock, Zacks analysts noted that the company's first acquisition, SkinJect, offers a patented transdermal patch for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment.

Analysts are keeping an eye on a Phase II clinical trial protocol, proposing a sample size of up to 60 patients, which was recently submitted to the US FDA.

Medicus Pharma (NASDAQ:MDCX, TSX-V:MDCX) CEO Dr Raza Bokhari joined Steve Darling from Proactive to announce news that the company's Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD), featuring a dissolvable doxorubicin-containing microneedle array, has been granted Minor Use in Major Species Designation or MUMS by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This designation marks a significant step forward for Medicus Pharma’s mission to revolutionize veterinary oncology.

The FDA's MUMS designation is a pivotal milestone, akin to the Orphan Drug status for human medicines. It offers Medicus Pharma an extended 7-year period of exclusive marketing rights following approval or conditional approval, provided the company fulfills all regulatory requirements for maintaining the designation. This exclusivity positions the company to make a profound impact on treating external squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in horses. The innovative doxorubicin-containing microneedle array is a patent-protected, dissolvable transdermal patch designed with cellulose-based microneedles. These microneedles are tip-loaded with doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapy agent.

When applied, the microneedles penetrate the stratum corneum layer of the skin, creating temporary microchannels. This allows the microneedles to reach the tumor, dissolve, and release doxorubicin directly into the targeted area, effectively eradicating cancer cells while minimizing systemic side effects. Squamous cell carcinoma is a significant concern in horses, particularly in adult or aged animals with white or partially white coats. Breeds such as Appaloosa, Belgian, American Paint, and Pinto are especially susceptible. SCC typically develops in areas with minimal pigmentation and sparse hair, often around mucous membranes.