BioPharmX announces safety results of topical minocycline gel for acne

BioPharmX Corp. announced preclinical toxicology results showing that BPX-01, a topical formulation of minocycline, may not result in systemic toxicities associated with the oral administered version of the antibiotic.

The study results “demonstrate that both systemic exposure and peak plasma concentrations of minocycline are minimized by topical administration, which eliminates the unwanted side effects associated with oral minocycline, including diarrhea, nausea and dizziness that can discourage compliance,” according to a press release.

Minocycline, an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicine commonly prescribed to treat acne, is typically used orally. BPX-01 is a stable hydrophilic topical gel formulation with fully solubilized minocycline that delivers the antibiotic to the acne source, according to the release.

“The topical administration of minocycline via BPX-1 delivers the antibiotic to the specific layer of skin where acne develops, but does not result in a significant concentration of the drug in the system, suggesting that it may offer dermatologists a safer way to treat the condition,” Kin F. Chan, PhD, executive vice president of research and development at BioPharmX, stated in the release. “The preclinical studies suggest that this targeted delivery of minocycline virtually eliminates any risk of systemic side effects.”

The study findings will be presented at the Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference being held Jan. 15-20 in Koloa, Hawaii.

Reference: www.biopharmx.com