Turn Therapeutics Announces Peer-Reviewed Publication in Journal of Dermatological Treatment Highlighting GX-03 Activity in IL-36 Associated Inflammatory Model
Turn Therapeutics Inc. a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing localized therapies for inflammatory and infectious skin diseases, announced the publication of a peer-reviewed research article in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment evaluating the effects of its lead program, GX-03, in an IL-36–associated inflammatory environment.
The publication, titled Effects of extended-release topical polyhexanide in a Staphylococcus aureus-induced murine dermatitis model characterized by IL-36 expression,” was co-authored by Bradley Burnam, Chief Executive Officer of Turn Therapeutics, and Stephen Bresnick, M.D., a practicing physician, researcher, and advisor to the Company.
This publication demonstrates a shift in how inflammatory skin disease should be studied. Rather than inferring biology from systemic markers, we evaluated GX-03 directly within an IL-36–associated inflammatory environment and observed a clear clinical effect following seven days of twice-daily treatment,” said Bradley Burnam, Chief Executive Officer of Turn Therapeutics. This is about building a more precise understanding of what is driving inflammation in the skin, at the site of disease. We’re helping define a framework for evaluating targeted, localized therapies in dermatology.
Study Highlights
- GX-03 was evaluated in a Staphylococcus aureus-induced murine dermatitis model characterized by IL-36 expression
- IL-36 protein expression was confirmed following Staphylococcus aureus exposure, establishing the inflammatory environment in which GX-03 was evaluated
- Mice treated twice daily with GX-03 for seven days achieved a mean investigator global assessment score of 1.44 versus 3.00 in untreated controls (p = 0.0003)
- No treatment-related adverse effects were observed
IL-36 is a cytokine associated with epithelial stress and is minimally expressed in healthy skin but becomes upregulated in response to microbial dysbiosis and barrier disruption. The study confirmed reproducible IL-36 expression following Staphylococcus aureus exposure, establishing a relevant inflammatory context in which GX-03 demonstrated clinical activity. This publication supports the Company’s broader approach of targeting disease at the site of origin.
The article represents the first in a planned series of scientific publications evaluating GX-03’s clinical and biological activity, with a subsequent manuscript already in review characterizing the mechanistic implications of treatment.
About GX-03
GX-03 is a first-in-class, non-systemic, topical cytokine-modulating therapy in development for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema). By stabilizing the cutaneous microenvironment and modulating epithelial danger sensing, GX-03 is designed to address IL-36, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-31 signaling through upstream prevention rather than downstream, systemic suppression. GX-03 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2 randomized controlled trial.
About Turn Therapeutics
Turn Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing innovative, precision therapies that target the underlying causes of inflammatory diseases with high unmet needs. Its lead investigational therapy, GX-03, is a first-in-class, non-systemic topical inhibitor currently in development for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. This therapy is designed to modulate key inflammatory pathways involved in eczema and other inflammatory dermatological conditions, specifically targeting IL-36 and IL-31, two cytokines that play distinct but interconnected roles in driving chronic skin inflammation and the itch-scratch cycle. GX-03 addresses IL-36 upstream, where epithelial stress and barrier disruption initiate the inflammatory cascade, and IL-31 downstream, where itch signaling perpetuates disease.
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