Medicus Pharma Launches UAE Phase 2 BCC Trial And Expands Global Clinical Pipeline; Acquires Antev, Signs HelixNano MoU

Medicus Pharma Ltd., a biotech and life sciences company advancing novel therapeutics, announced the start of patient recruitment for its Phase 2 clinical trial SKNJCT-004 at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD). The trial will evaluate a non-invasive treatment for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin, following approval from the UAE Department of Health earlier this year.

The SKNJCT-004 study is designed as a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centre trial, enrolling up to 36 patients across leading UAE hospitals, including CCAD, Sheikh Shakbout Medical City, Burjeel Medical City, Rashid Hospital, Clemenceau Medical Centre, and American Hospital Dubai. Participants will be randomised into three groups: placebo, low-dose D-MNA (100 μg), and high-dose D-MNA (200 μg). The high dose was previously evaluated in the company’s completed Phase 1 study (SKNJCT-001). Insights Research Organisation and Solutions (IROS), a UAE-based CRO and M42 portfolio company, coordinates the trial.

“Commencing patient recruitment in the SKNJCT-004 clinical study at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a promising step towards bringing to market a first-in-class novel non-invasive alternative to treat BCC. We have already randomised more than seventy per cent (75%) of the ninety (90) participants expected to be randomised in our AI-powered SKNJCT-003 study, in the United States, which we believe represents more than US$2 billion in potential market opportunity”, stated Dr. Raza Bokhari, Medicus’s Executive Chairman & CEO 

Alongside SKNJCT-004, Medicus continues advancing SKNJCT-003, another Phase 2 study in the U.S. and Europe. Interim analysis of SKNJCT-003 in March 2025 showed more than 60% clinical clearance, prompting expansion to 90 patients across U.S. and European sites. Beyond dermatology, Medicus recently signed a non-binding MoU with Helix Nanotechnologies to explore mRNA-based therapeutics. They completed the acquisition of UK-based Antev Limited, developer of Teverelix, a late-stage GnRH antagonist for prostate cancer and acute urinary retention.