SAN DIEGO, May 14, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Senté, Inc., a privately held cosmeceutical company engaged in the development of differentiated medical skincare products based on glycoproteins, announced today that it has closed its Series-B financing, raising $2.1 million from a combination of new and existing biotechnology investors. This financing provides Senté with a sizable cash balance to fund continued company growth.

Proceeds from the financing will help Senté, Inc. expand commercial operations, scale development capabilities, and add additional line extensions to its portfolio of differentiated medical grade skincare products.

“We are very pleased to see such strong investor interest in our company from experts in the healthcare and aesthetic field,” said Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D., Senté Co-Founder and Board Member. “Our new investors share our vision of creating unique science based dermatological products that will have profound impacts on the skin, and we very much look forward to working with them on this endeavor.”

Senté Dermal Repair Cream features a proprietary formulation of the active ingredient heparan sulfate (HS). HS is the most biologically active of the glycoproteins that reside in human skin. The biologically active glycoproteins used in Senté Dermal Repair Cream help promote cell renewal, facilitate new collagen development, increase skin hydration, gradually lighten the appearance of pigmented lesions and soothe irritated skin.

“It has been our privilege to serve our initial physician clients and their patients,” said Faheem Hasnain, Chairman of the Board of Senté, Inc. “Their stories and early signs of success are the primary motivation for our work and we are happy to have assembled such an outstanding group of investors to support our mission. The financial capabilities and strategic aspects of this round will help us take Senté to the next level.”

About Senté, Inc.

Senté, Inc. is a privately held cosmeceutical company based in San Diego, California. The company is a recognized leader in the development of innovative and targeted medical skincare products based on glycoproteins. Senté recently launched its first physician dispensed dermatological product, Senté Dermal Repair Cream, which is currently the only cosmeceutical product utilizing heparan sulfate on the market today. Senté is leveraging its expertise in biotechnology to delivering novel products for a variety of dermatological concerns.

Media Contact:
Sente, Inc.
Aaron Hasnain
T (760) 753-5400
C (650) 380-1132

Dr. Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D. is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Regulus Therapeutics Inc. and Founder and Director of Senté, Inc., joining both companies around their formations in 2007. Prior to that, he was a managing director of Enterprise Partners Venture Capital. Dr. Xanthopoulos co-founded and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Anadys Pharmaceuticals from its inception in 2000 to 2006, and remained a Director until its acquitision by Roche in 2011. He was Vice President at Aurora Biosciences (acquired by Vertex Pharmaceuticals) from 1997 to 2000. Dr. Xanthopoulos participated in The Human Genome Project as a Section Head of the National Human Genome Research Institute from 1995 to 1997. Previously, he was an Associate Professor at the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden after completing a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at The Rockefeller University, New York. An Onassis Foundation scholar, Dr. Xanthopoulos received his B.Sc. in Biology with honors from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and received both his M.Sc. in Microbiology and Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of Stockholm, Sweden. Dr. Xanthopoulos is a member of the board of directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Sente Inc., Apricus Bioscience, Inc. and a member of the executive board of BIOCOM, and Southern California’s life science industry association.

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“As a Scripps physician, it is my goal to provide patients with high-quality outcomes through a variety of treatment options,” said Edward Ross, M.D., director of Scripps Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology Center. “Recent studies have validated the importance of heparan sulfate in repairing skin conditions related to UV exposure and aging – I am pleased to offer this treatment option to my patients.”

Scripps treats nearly 500,000 patients annually through the dedication of more than 2,600 affiliated physicians and nearly 13,500 employees across five hospital campuses, an ambulatory care network of clinics, physician offices, outpatient centers and home health care services.

Senté Dermal Repair Cream is a physician dispensed dermatological product that features a proprietary formulation of the active ingredient heparan sulfate (HS). Senté Dermal Repair Cream helps the body replenish the essential skin building blocks that are lost with aging and UV exposure. There is a huge body of scientific evidence on the profound role of Heparan Sulfate in skin functions (for a comprehensive review see Sarrazin et al., 2011, Cold Spring Harb Perspect Bio doi:10.1101)

HS is the most biologically active of the glycoproteins that reside naturally in human skin, and is responsible for regulating a wide variety of biological activities within the body. The biologically active glycoproteins used in Senté Dermal Repair Cream help promote cell renewal, facilitate new collagen development, increase skin hydration, gradually lighten the appearance of pigmented lesions and soothe irritated skin.

“We at Senté are excited to be affiliated with such a prominent and leading health system,” said Faheem Hasnain, Chairman of the Board of Senté, Inc. “Scripps’ extensive physician network, track record and impressive reputation, provides an ideal place for Senté to offer its science-based skincare products to patients.”

About Senté, Inc.

Senté, Inc. is a privately held cosmeceutical company engaged in the development of innovative and targeted medical skincare products based on glycoproteins. The company recently launched its first physician dispensed dermatological product, Senté Dermal Repair Cream, which is the only cosmeceutical product utilizing heparan sulfate on the market today. Senté, Inc. is committed to delivering novel products for a variety of dermatological concerns. Founded in 2007 and based in San Diego, California, more information on the company can be found at http://www.sentelabs.com.

The Senté, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16056

About Scripps Health

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2.6 billion nonprofit integrated health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 13,500 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of physician offices and 24 outpatient centers and clinics.

Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research, genomic medicine, wireless health care and graduate medical education. With three highly respected graduate medical education programs, Scripps is a longstanding member of the Association of American Medical Colleges and is recognized by Truven Health Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters) for having one of the top teaching hospitals in the nation. Scripps is also the region’s only cardiovascular program recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best in the country. Scripps has been consistently recognized by Fortune, Working Mother magazine and AARP as one of the best places in the nation to work. More information can be found at www.scripps.org.

The Scripps Health logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=17708

Media Contact:
Sente, Inc.
Aaron Hasnain
T (760) 753-5400