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    SCENESSE® (INN: afamelanotide) is Clinuvel's proprietary first-in-class photoprotective drug, currently in Phase II and III clinical trials.

    SCENESSE® acts by increasing the levels of melanin in the skin; and shields against UV radiation (UVR) and sunlight. SCENESSE® is delivered via a subcutaneous dissolving implant approximately the size of a grain of rice. Increased pigmentation of the skin appears after two days and lasts up to two months.

    Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH) is a naturally occurring peptide hormone which is released by skin cells in response to the stimulation by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). α-MSH has a very short half life (seconds) in the blood stream, sufficient to reach and stimulate other skin cells (melanocytes) which in turn produce and release melanin, a dark brown pigment. Melanin is known for its photoprotective effect.

    The skin's response to damage from UV radiation - Human tanning response
    The skin's response to damage from UV radiation - Human tanning response

    SCENESSE® is a chemical analogue of α-MSH. SCENESSE® is a linear peptide with 13 amino acids. Two amino acids present in α-MSH have been changed and amplified to produce afamelanotide. This small change creates a more stable molecule with increased potent biologic effects and a longer half life (minutes). SCENESSE® increases melanin content of the skin without exposure of the skin to the damaging effects of UVR.

    Clinuvel is currently trialing SCENESSE® in a range of light and UV related skin disorders (photodermatoses) and as a repigmentation therapy in nonsegmental vitiligo. It is proposed that SCENESSE® will provide prophylactic treatment to patients suffering from these disorders by stimulating melanin to act as a photoprotective filtering the impact of UV to the skin.

    Biomimicry of the human tanning response
    Biomimicry of the human tanning response
    Patients diagnosed with porphyria1, polymorphous light eruption, solar urticaria2, skin cancers and skin lesions3, as well as patients undergoing photodynamic therapy treatment4 provoked by UV and light and those with nonsegmental vitiligo are clinically eligible to receive SCENESSE® every two months.

    Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals Ltd is an ethical pharmaceutical company focused on providing photoprotective care of the skin. Clinuvel is working closely with global regulatory agencies to develop SCENESSE® as a prescriptive drug. Clinuvel has been developing and testing SCENESSE® since 2000. Its development is focused on the SAFE and controlled administration of the drug substance.

    1 Clinuvel is currently focused on prophylactic treatment of Erythropoietic Porphyrias in clinical trials of Scenesse.
    2 Clinuvel's program for solar urticaria has been deferred as of February 2010.
    3 Clinuvel is currently focused on preventing actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in organ transplant recipients in clinical trials of Scenesse.
    4 Clinuvel is currently focusing on systemic PDT treatments, a program which has been deferred as of February 2010.