Previous Pause Next
Home >> News Center >>
PhotoMedex and Galderma to Co-Promote Actinic Keratosis Treatment PDF Print E-mail
User Rating :  / 0
Monday, 11 January 2010 10:04

PhotoMedex (Nasdaq: PHMD) and Galderma Laboratories, L.P. have entered into a co-promotion agreement for Galderma’s photodynamic therapy application for the treatment of actinic keratoses (“AK”). Under the terms of the agreement, PhotoMedex’ sales force will promote Galderma’s drug Metvixia® (methyl aminolevulinate) Cream, 16.8% (“Metvixia”) and Galderma’s Aktilite® CL128 LED (light-emitting diode) lamp to healthcare professionals, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons throughout the United States. Galderma will provide marketing support and distribution. The three-year agreement begins in January; no financial terms have been disclosed.

Actinic keratoses are very common lesions that occur on sun-damaged skin and are widely considered to be a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma.

Metvixia is a topical porphyrin precursor used in photodynamic therapy. When applied to actinic keratosis lesions, Metvixia is selectively absorbed into precancerous cells causing a build-up of endogenous porphyrins. These endogenous porphyrins are illuminated with the Aktilite CL128 lamp emitting a narrow output spectrum of red light with a peak wavelength at 630 nm. Subsequently, a reaction occurs that results in the destruction of the precancerous cells. Clinical trials in various countries with the Metvixia PDT system have shown comparable or better response rates than conventional treatments, such as cryotherapy or surgery. Metvixia PDT selectively targets precancerous cells so the surrounding healthy cells are less subjected to the treatment, therein minimizing scarring and ensuring more acceptable cosmetic outcomes for patients. In clinical trials, the most commonly reported adverse events associated with use of Metvixia PDT were contact sensitization, erythema, pain, burning, and skin discomfort/irritation.

About PhotoMedex:

PhotoMedex is a global skin health medical technology company that provides integrated disease management and aesthetic solutions through complementary laser and light-based devices, pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Through our historical relationships with dermatologists and plastic surgeons, we provide products and services that address skin diseases and skin conditions. These diseases and conditions include psoriasis, vitiligo, acne, actinic keratosis and sun damage. PhotoMedex develops proprietary excimer laser and fiber optic systems and techniques directed toward dermatological applications, with FDA 510(k) clearances to market the XTRAC® laser system for the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis and leukoderma. PhotoMedex also develops and markets products based on DNA Repair and its patented, clinically proven Copper Peptide technology for skin health, hair care and wound care.

About Galderma:

Galderma, created in 1981 as a joint venture between Nestle and L'Oréal, is a fully-integrated specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated exclusively to the field of dermatology. The Company has a presence in 65 countries with over 1000 sales representatives and is committed to improving the health of skin with an extensive line of products across the world that treat a range of dermatological conditions including: acne, rosacea, fungal nail infections, psoriasis & steroid-responsive dermatoses, pigmentary disorders, medical solutions for skin senescence and skin cancers. With a research and development center in Sophia Antipolis, France, Galderma has one of the largest R&D facilities dedicated exclusively to dermatology. Leading worldwide dermatology brands include Differin®, Epiduo®, Oracea®, MetroGel® 1%, Rozex®, Vectical®, Clobex®, Tri-Luma®, Loceryl® and Cetaphil®.

Important Safety Information About Metvixia Cream PDT:

Metvixia® (methyl aminolevulinate) Cream, 16.8% Cream is indicated for the treatment of thin and moderately thick, non-hyperkeratotic, non-pigmented actinic keratoses of the face and scalp in immunocompetent patients, in combination with illumination using the Aktilite® CL 128 lamp.

The most common related adverse reactions during PDT with Metvixia® Cream include contact sensitization, erythema, pain, burning and skin discomfort/irritation. In addition, pruritus, crusting and erosions, edema and exfoliation of the skin in the area where the cream is applied are likely. Metvixia® Cream should not be used in patients with cutaneous photosensitivity or known allergies to porphyrins or to any of the cream’s components, which include peanut and almond oils. Metvixia® Cream should not be applied to the eyes or mucous membranes. Patients should be cautioned to avoid sunlight and bright artificial light, and to wear protective clothing for 48 hours after treatment. Prolonged exposure to Metvixia®Cream for longer than 4 hours should be avoided. Nitrile gloves should be worn at all times by providers when handling Metvixia® Cream. Protective eyewear must be worn by all persons when the lamp is in use. Pregnancy Category C.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

 
FairExcellent 

Add comment  |   Add to my library  |  Forward this article

login to leave comment

Collaboration, Projects, & Consortia

TGen, Karmanos Lead $6M Melanoma Project

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and Pfizer Collaborate to Speed Drug Discovery

e2v aerospace and defense and Maxim Announce an Agreement to Extend the Product Life of Maxim Ceramic ICs

Syntaxin and Ipsen Ally to Develop Botulinum Toxin Therapeutics

BioAmber and LANXESS Partner for Renewable, Phthalate-free Plasticizers

Corgenix Partners with AXA Diagnostics on SkyLAB 752™ Automated Testing Platform

GeoVax and Vivalis Sign Deal for the Biomanufacture of MVA HIV Vaccine in EB66 Cells

EMD Serono and Fast Forward Commit $3 Million for Multiple Sclerosis

VisionGate Begins Collaborations to Evaluate 3-D Cell Analysis Test for Lung Cancer Screening

VaxyGen Manufacturing Services LLC Announces Exclusive License and Collaborative Agreement with Georgia State University Research Foundation to Commercialize Novel Biological Process Development Patent, Expertise & Know-How

>> More in: Collaboration, Projects and Consortia

Featured Experts

Featured Laboratories

Grant & Funding Opportunities

NHGRI Unveils New-Look Genome Sequencing Program; Plans $416M in Funding

NYU to Study Genetics of Obesity-Related Cancers

Researchers Get NHGRI Funding to Study Effects of Alzheimer's Risk Testing

Venture Firms Pump $18M into Fledgling Arteaus Therapeutics

Servier and miRagen Sign $352M Deal for Cardiovascular miRNA Therapeutics

Tetraphase Awarded Initial $6M by NIAID to Develop Antibiotic Against Biothreats

Dermira Announces a $42m Series A Financing to Fund Therapeutic Advances in Dermatology

Salk Institute for Biological Studies to Accelerate Brain Research With $4.5 Million National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant

Arsanis Wins €1.2M for Research on Antibody Against Hospital-Acquired Infections

SAMHSA Awards Approximately $1.3 Million To Help Communities Offer Expanded HIV Testing, Counseling And Referral For Care

>> More in: Grant & Funding Opportunities

Hot Papers

New fluorescent dyes highlight neuronal activity

Study reveals enzyme function, could help find muscular dystrophy therapies

Breakthrough in Treatment to Prevent Blindness

Vision Scientists Demonstrate Innovative Learning Method

Scripps research scientists develop brand new class of small molecules through innovative chemistry

Scripps research team achieves critical step to opening elusive class of compounds to drug discovery

Nobel Laureate Bruce Beutler on molecular sensors as a trigger for autoimmune disease

Talk to the Virtual Hands: Body Language of Both Speaker and Listener Affects Success in Virtual Reality Communication Game

Sniffing out the Brain's Predictive Power: Human Brain 'Smells' What It Expects Rather Than What It Sniffs

Children Find Human-Made Objects More Likely to Be Owned Than Natural Objects

>> More in: Top 5 papers (Hot Papers)

Appointments

Sanofi (France) Taps David Meeker as New CEO of Genzyme Corporation

Drug Information Association Appoints Kaushik Desai as DIA India Director

Sentrx Announces Resignation of Charles T. Saldarini As CEO

EKR Therapeutics Announces Senior Management Change

Amgen Appoints Robert A. Bradway to the Company's Board of Directors

Anavex Life Sciences Corp. Appoints Dr. George Tidmarsh as Executive Director

Isis Biopolymer Appoints New President and CEO

RedHill Biopharma Appoints Key Opinion Leader Professor David Y. Graham from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, as Lead Investigator for the US Pivotal Clinical Trial with RedHill's Crohn’s Drug – RHB-104

Apceth is Extending its Top Management: Prof. Ralf Huss Moves from Roche (RHHBY) to the Biotechnology Company apceth

BioIndustry Association Board Appointments

>> More in: Appointments

Recognitions

Journal names discovery that HIV treatment can prevent spread 'breakthrough of the year'

Abbott Laboratories's Absorb(TM) Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold Honored with Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award

Chris Henney Receives 2011 Hall of Fame Award at Annual Biotech CEO Meeting at Laguna Beach

Scripps Florida Scientist Awarded $2.2 Million Grant To Study Hepatitis C

SAMHSA Awards Up To $25 Million To Expand Use Of Health Information Technology

Ablitech, Inc. Awarded $2 Million

The Michael J. Fox Foundation Awards AFFiRiS AG $1.5 Million for the Clinical Development of the First Parkinson's Disease Vaccine

SAMHSA Awards Grant To UCLA For Substance Abuse Prevention In Iraq

KGI Professor Awarded Patent For Stem-Cell Therapy Aiding Heart-attack Patients

Nobel Prize for chemistry 2011 goes to Israeli scientist Daniel Shechtman

>> More in: Recognitions