GLG News by Physicians who Treat Acne (US)

Injections of botulinum toxin type A were the number one non-surgical procedure in 2006, with over 3 million total procedures. Retail U.S. aesthetic market of approximately $300 million-$400 million.  "Revance's proprietary drug delivery technology."

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...

Medicis is widely respected by dermatologists who will have confidence in Reloxin because Medicis is marketing the product.  Price of using these modalities will decrease and use will increase.  As patients are happier the word will spread and use will increase even further.

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...

Intranasal desmopressin is rarely used now for nocturnal enuresis.  Most pediatricians have already converted to oral formulations.

Meridian's new RSV and Influenza A/B testing should provide new weapons for pediatricians during the upcoming flu and upper respiratory infection season.

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...