OBJ's cosmetic applicator is now a weapon against skin cancer

Drug delivery specialist OBJ wants to use its cosmetic applicator wand in the fight against skin cancer.

Vitamin B3 has been shown to be an effective way of treating sun spots, with potential for it to be used to prevent skin cancer.

OBJ (ASX:OBJ) says its wand applicator can help more of the vitamin seep into the skin.

Initial studies of OBJ’s magnetic technology found the skin applicator delivered almost 200 per cent more Vitamin B3 or nicotinamide into the skin compared to standard topical delivery, the company says.

OBJ’s shares jumped more than 10 per cent to 3.8c in Monday morning trade.

The shares have declined since January when they touched 8.1c after news of its first patents and traded as low as 3c last month.

OBJ's share price over the past 12 months. Source: Investing.com — OBJ’s share price over the past 12 months. Source: Investing.com

The applicator, which uses OBJ’s magnetic micro-array technology, sets a new standard for nicotinamide delivery into skin tissue, the company says.

“Our experimental delivery method indicates higher concentrations of nicotinamide delivered to the target tissues, which is expected to result in superior efficacy in those areas of clinical use,” director and dermatologist Dr Christopher Quirk told investors.

“These include pigmentation, aging and prophylaxis of skin cancer, and pre-cancers in patients both prone to non-melanoma skin cancer and patients who have already had a non-melanoma skin cancer previously treated.”

Vitamin B3 has been backed by the Cancer Council as a breakthrough treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers, either as a lotion or daily tablet which provides immune protection.

Nicotinamide does this by replenishing cellular energy, which also enables faster and more efficient DNA repair following sun exposure.

OBJ will use the most recent results to attract an industry partner active in the skin cancer market.

The applicator is already used by global cosmetics company Procter and Gamble in their SK-II and Olay brands for the Asian market, attracting royalties in excess of $338,000 in the last quarter.