Survey reveals: 77% of Dermatologists will Prescribe Topical Minocycline.

July 31, 2011 - PRLog -- Rehovot, Israel - Minocycline is a well known, highly prescribed drug, which is known for its favorable therapeutic efficacy, side by side with many side affects. In a survey conducted among 40 U.S. dermatologists, 95% indicated that they prescribe oral Minocycline to their patients for moderate and severe Acne (92.5%) and for moderate and severe Rosacea (72.5%). Other indications include skin infection (45%), chronic wounds (25%), Impetigo (20%) and mild Acne and Rosacea (12% each).
The survey shows some disturbing facts. Even though 95% of dermatologists prescribe oral Minocycline, the majority (89.7%) are concerned about side effects. Common side effects of oral Minocycline include upset stomach, diarrhea, dizziness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, mouth sores, headache and vomiting. It increases sensitivity to sunlight and has also been linked to cases of lupus. Rare but serious side effects include fever, yellowing of the eyes or skin, stomach pain, sore throat, vision changes and mental changes. Due to these side effects, FDA added oral Minocycline in 2009 to its Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS); a list of medications under investigation by the FDA for potential safety issues.
Notably, the survey revealed that 77% of dermatologists would prefer prescribing a Topical Minocycline drug over the existing oral Minocycline, assuming it was safe, effective and approved by FDA.
Foamix Ltd., a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of proprietary dermatological and gynecologic topical products, has successfully developed a first in class topical form of Minocycline, despite the inherent instability of this drug. Foamix are currently conducting Phase II clinical trials in Rosacea and Impetigo, and will enter an Acne Phase II study shortly.
“There is a huge demand for new safe and effective topical treatments for acne and rosacea.” said Dov Tamarkin, PhD., CEO of Foamix. “Based on its pharmacological profile, Topical Minocycline represents a strong alternative to the existing oral and topical Acne and Rosacea drugs.”
According to IMS, the current U.S. sales of oral Minocycline and its analog Doxycycline are in excess of $1.2 billion.

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Foamix Ltd. is a clinical-stage, privately held specialty pharma company, focused on the development of proprietary topical foam and OilGel™ products for prescription, OTC and cosmetic applications. Foamix creates advanced products with improved convenience, higher compliance and efficacy, which are backed by an extensive patent portfolio. The company’s development capabilities range from initial development of the formulations to scale-up, GMP manufacturing, preclinical and clinical studies. Foamix partners with leading pharmaceutical companies, including Galderma, Intendis (Bayer’s dermatology company), Dr. Reddy's and Ferndale. Foamix has a strong in-house pipeline of dermatological and gynecological drugs. The Company’s lead product, Topical Minocycline, is currently in Phase II.
Foamix has 9 issued patents in the United States, covering its foam and OilGel™ technology platforms.