Beech Tree Labs' ML-05 Addresses External and Internal Scars

Business Wire, Feb 28, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Beech Tree Labs, Inc., announced today that its novel therapeutic agent, ML-05, has been shown to accelerate healing and reduce scarring. Results of this study, conducted in collaboration with a team at New York University under the direction of Dr. Marjana Tomic-Canic, were recently published in Wound Repair and Regeneration.

In separate gene array experiments performed at Beech Tree Labs, ML-05 was found to directly affect several genes involved in regulating the extracellular matrix and inflammation. One of the up-regulated genes, CD44, codes for a specific receptor which is associated with the initiation of a cascade of events contributing to increased migration and proliferation of cells responsible for remodeling the extracellular matrix. This study complements other research appearing in the literature.

Founder and President John McMichael, PhD, says, "ML-05 is an altogether novel, systemic approach to the prevention of scarring and the ability to decrease old scars. The number of potential indications is staggering when we think of the role of scarring in age-related changes in the heart, kidneys, and liver, burns, internal and external scars caused by trauma, infections, or surgery, and contractures."

Pre-clinical experience of ML-05 in treating torn tendons, trauma-induced joint scarring, scar-induced contractures, and acne, as well as promoting healing from surgery has yielded encouraging results.

In veterinary investigations, ML-05 has also demonstrated efficacy in treating barren mares suffering from uterine fibrosis. Seven of 11 mares bred after ML-05 therapy successfully foaled. Additional research focusing on a variety of scar-related disorders in various horse breeds continues.

Beech Tree Labs, a private company, is a leader in resonant molecular signaling--a form of cellular communication--specializing in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical formulations that address a variety of chronic disorders. Its focus is on discovery and early-stage development, followed by partnering for the further development and commercialization of promising products such as ML-05.

For more on Beech Tree Labs: www.beechtreelabs.com