Patients with acne report positive experience with minocycline gel

BioPharmX Corp. recently presented results of its phase 2b study of BPX-01 for treating moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris showing that patients reported a positive experience with the topical minocycline gel at the Alabama Dermatology Society's Summer Symposium in Sandestin, Florida.

The study findings were discussed at a presentation by James Q. Del Rosso, DO, founder of JDR Dermatology Research, Las Vegas, and a poster presentation at the meeting, according to a news release from BioPharmX.

New research findings regarding BPX-01, a topical hydrophilic gel formulation of minocycline, included 79% of surveyed patients at week 12 reporting that the 2% formulation of BPX-01 was easy to use and apply, and 86% reporting they would use the product again, according to the release.

"Efficacy and safety are crucial to dermatologists and their acne patients, but just as important is patient compliance," said G. Scott Herron, MD, PhD, BioPharmX medical director, and board-certified dermatologist, stated in the release. "Phase 2b subjects told us BPX-01 is easy to use and they expressed a willingness to use it again. We believe this gives BPX-01 a significant advantage over topical therapies that have irritating side effects like rashes, dryness or itching, or oral therapies that are associated with headaches, dizziness or diarrhea."

Previously presented phase 2b data showed that patients treated with the 2% formulation BPX-01 had a 59% reduction in acne lesions, compared with 44% for vehicle. There was at least a two-grade reduction in investigator global assessment and clear to almost clear for 25% of patients, according to the release.

There were no serious drug-related adverse events reported.

BioPharmX had previously reported the phase 2b data to investors, but this was the first presentation of the research at a medical conference.

BPX-01 is the first topical gel formulation of minocycline that can penetrate the skin to deliver the antibiotic to the pilosebaceous unit, according to the release. BioPharmX reported it is conducting studies to confirm whether BPX-01 will effectively treat acne with lower dosages of the antibiotic with no or fewer adverse side effects.

Reference: www.biopharmx.com