BURNABY, BC, Oct. 30 /CNW/ - Welichem Biotech Inc. (the "Company") (TSX-V: WBI) is pleased to announce the positive results from its Phase IIa clinical trial of its drug candidate, WBI-1001, a new, non-steroid, topical cream treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). In the trial, two concentrations (0.5% and 1.0%) of WBI-1001 were tested against the placebo. Both WBI-1001 cream concentrations were superior to placebo in deceasing AD and showed an excellent safety profile. Welichem plans to conduct further clinical trials for WBI-1001 in 2009. "We are very pleased to be able to present such positive results from the Company's clinical trial on atopic dermatitis," says Dr. Genhui Chen, Chief Executive Officer of Welichem." AD is a major unmet medical indication, and these positive results are of significance for our overall strategy of developing WBI-1001 for the treatment of this disease and additional conditions."

This clinical phase IIa trial for WBI-1001 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Montreal with the objectives of evaluating the safety and efficacy of the cream on topically treated patients. A total of 36 patients with mild-to-moderate AD were treated with 0.5% or 1% of WBI-1001 cream or placebo twice daily for 28 days. No serious side effects were reported in any of the groups and no patient dropped out due to adverse side effects of the treatment. All primary efficacy indices measured efficacy positively and WBI-1001 was significantly more efficacious than placebo at one or both treatment doses for all indices at day 28, the end of the treatment.

There is currently no cure for AD, and most common treatments are anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. corticosteroids) or immunosuppressants ( e.g. tarcolimus). AD represents a significant global market that is expected to exceed $1 billion USD by 2010.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. This press release contains forward-looking statements that include our belief as to the potential of our products. Certain risks and uncertainties such as our ability to successfully commercialize the products could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company thus seeks safe harbour.

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