LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Thursday, July 3rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS
WIRE)-- Galderma announces that the U.S. FDA granted Orphan Drug
Designation status for the company’s trifarotene molecule for the
treatment of congenital ichthyosis. Based on this decision, Galderma
plans to implement a clinical development plan, reinforcing its
commitment to exploring new treatment options for rare diseases, as well
as meeting the needs of all patients with skin diseases over the course
of their lives.
“Given the burden of congenital ichthyosis and the
lack of effective and easy-to-use treatments, this is a condition which
is very difficult to live with. Galderma’s objective is therefore not
only to provide an efficient and safe medical solution to alleviate the
symptoms of the disease, but also to improve patients’ quality of life”,
says Humberto C. Antunes, Galderma President & CEO.
The
company’s molecule trifarotene is a selective agonist of the gamma
retinoic acid receptor (RARγ), which is currently in clinical
development for use in other more common dermatological conditions. It
is the drug’s retinoid functionality and potent keratolytic properties
that make it a potentially viable treatment of the lamellar ichthyosis
pathology. Galderma has already initiated the program for investigating
the treatment of lamellar ichthyosis with trifarotene and is currently
working in collaboration with regulatory authorities to implement an
innovative and expedient clinical development plan.
Ichthyoses
comprise a large group of skin scaling disorders with diverse
etiologies. The stereotypic pathophysiology is epidermal hyperplasia and
abnormal desquamation, leading to visible accumulation of squames
(scales) on the skin’s surface. Congenital ichthyosis is a term used to
refer to a specific group of rare inherited forms of ichthyoses that are
generally more severe than non-inherited forms of the disease. Lamellar
ichthyosis is one such disorder that falls within the congenital
ichthyosis category. Lamellar ichthyosis is recognised as a severe
disease which persists throughout life. After birth, during the first
post-natal weeks, the hyperkeratotic (colloidion) membrane patients are
typically born with, is gradually shed and is replaced by scaling and
lichenification that involves the entire body, including face, scalp,
palms and soles.. While usually not life threatening, lamellar
ichthyosis can result in disability, partial deafness, poor adaptation
to environmental conditions (due to hypohydrosis), severe discomfort
(pruritus, fissuring of the skin), and significant psycho-social impact.
The estimated prevalence of LI in the US is in the range of 1 per
100,000 to 1 per 200,000 persons.
The Orphan Drug Designation
provides orphan status to drugs and biologics which are defined as those
intended for the safe and effective treatment, diagnosis or prevention
of rare diseases/disorders that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the
U.S., or that affect more than 200,000 persons but are not expected to
recover the costs of developing and marketing a treatment drug.
In
addition to studying treatments for lamellar ichthyosis and other
congenital ichthyoses, Galderma is also exploring the treatment of other
rare skin diseases such as Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma and Gorlin
Syndrome.
***
About Galderma
A global company exclusively dedicated to dermatology
Galderma
is a global company founded in 1981 committed to delivering innovative
medical solutions to meet the dermatological needs of people throughout
their lifetime while serving healthcare professionals around the world.
The company has 34 wholly-owned affiliates with a worldwide network of
distributors and more than 5,000 employees. Galderma’s extensive product
portfolio is available in 80 countries and treats a range of
dermatological conditions including: acne, rosacea, onychomycosis,
psoriasis & steroid-responsive dermatoses, pigmentary disorders,
skin cancer and medical solutions for skin senescence.
With
approximately 19% of revenues invested each year to discover and develop
new products and access innovative technologies, the company is one of
the world’s leading investors in dermatology R&D. Five
state-of-the-art R&D centers and five manufacturing sites are
dedicated to providing a wide range of innovative medical solutions
which meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy.
Strategic
brands include Epiduo, Oracea, Clobex, Differin, Mirvaso,
Rozex/MetroGel, Silkis/Vectical, Tri-Luma, Loceryl, Cetaphil, Daylong,
Soapex, Metvix, Azzalure, Restylane and Emervel.
For more information, please visit Galderma’s website www.galderma.com
Contacts
Galderma
Press contact:
Corporate & Digital Communications:
+33 1 58 86 45 45
communication@galderma.com
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