GLG News by Juvederm Users: Cosmetic Dermatologists (US)

This study will expand the use of Enbrel in newer populations. this is important in that Humira just received approval for adults, and the market has become more competitive. This is good news for children with severe resistant psoriasis.

Botox from Allergan has enjoyed an exclusive monopoly for the past nine years. Alternative drugs do not appear to be available as soon as was hoped.

Lowering cost of Botox is key, but not enough to induce patients to undergo Botox treatments.

 The new Centecor psoriasis product, Ustekinumab, is impressive in its efficacy. The PASI 75 reduction is equal or surpasses Remicade, the current leader in efficacy in psoriasis. This product has the advantage of being a self administered injection at home, rather than a prolonged IV injection...

 This topical Botox product is promising in that it would require no injection, and would be better accepted by patients. Medicis investment in the company is a wise adjunct to their Reloxin product, which was recently submitted to the FDA. Both these products would offer significant competition...

It is not unexpected that Medicis is expanding into the "Botox" business since its rival company, Allergan, has a monopoly on the market.  Allergan also has Juviderm, which competes directly with Restylane, the hit product by Medicis.  This will place Medicis back into the competitive market...

For too long Allergan has monopolized the therapeutic and cosmetic market of botulinum toxin type A, and has taken full advantage of that monopoly by raising the price of Botox almost biannually. Reloxin studies are very favorable when compared to Botox, and may even surpass it in one or two aspects....

 The submission of Reloxin to the FDA is a positive sign for both Ipsen and Medicis. The market will only grow with the impending approval, and the launch of a competitor to Botox may result in some softening of pricing both to physicians and the end consumer. The two studies that have been done...

Meyer Pharmaceutical acquisition of a NF-kB decoy is interesting in that this would be the first new technology in this area since the topical immunomodulators like Protopic/ Elidel were released. The preliminary work looks good, and phase 2 trials in both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis would be necessary...

CombinatoRx new combination product- CRx-191 is intriguing in that it combines a topical steroid with nortryptiline to minimize the negative effects of the steroid and make it more potent. This would be useful in that higher potency topical steroids are more effective, but cause more thinning of the...