Pipeline Previews

Star Scientific, Inc's subsidiary Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Inc, has announced that its new Anatabloc^® face cream is now available on the cosmetic portion of the Anatabloc Web site (www.anatabloc.com) and in select dermatology practices.

The product is a formulation of anatabine citrate-one of the active ingredients in the Anatabloc nutritional supplement- and a botanically based emollient. Rock Creek touts the cream's ability to improve the appearance of the skin based on the results of a case series conducted by dermatologist Dr. Susan H. Weinkle of Bradenton, FL, president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and assistant clinical professor of Dermatology at the University of South Florida.

Sanofi and Coca-Cola are working together to produce and market a line of drinks called Beautific Oenobiol, which they claim will improve skin, strengthen hair, and increase vitality. The drinks are made with mineral water, fruit juice, and nutritional ingredients. The drink lines will include a hair-and-fingernail strengthener, a weight-loss aid, a vitality booster, and a skin aid.

Nuvo Research has announced that the FDA has approved a supplemental New Drug Application for a 7% lidocaine/7% tetracaine cream as a topical local anesthetic to minimize pain during dermatologic procedures.

Pliaglis 7%/7% Cream is designed to form a pliable peel on the skin when exposed to air. It is indicated for use on intact adult skin to provide local analgesia for superficial aesthetic procedures, including dermal filler injection, pulsed dye laser therapy, facial laser resurfacing, and laser-assisted tattoo removal.

In clinical studies, the most common reactions to Pliaglis were erythema (47%), skin discoloration (16%), and edema (14%); all were generally mild and resolved soon after treatment, according to the news release. Adverse events included headache, vomiting, dizziness, and fever, all occurring less than 1% of the time.

Taclonex Topical Suspension is a once-daily, steroid-containing treatment combining vitamin D analog (calcipotriene) and a corticosteroid (betamethasone dipropionate) for use up to 8 weeks. The first-line, single treatment requires only one prescription for both scalp and body treatment of plaque psoriasis. Patients using Taclonex Topical Suspension may also be eligible to participate in a patient support program.

Two phase 3 clinical studies included more than 1,600 patients with scalp psoriasis, and one phase 3 study involved more than 1,100 patients with body plaque psoriasis, with a higher percentage of patients treated with Taclonex achieving disease control compared with patients using monotherapies or vehicle alone, according to the release. Folliculitis and burning sensation of the skin were the most common adverse reactions in at least 1% of subjects treated with Taclonex, a rate higher than in vehicle-treated participants.

Taclonex Topical Suspension is the only once-daily, steroidcontaining topical treatment that combines the strength and benefits of 2 active ingredients, a vitamin D analog (calcipotriene) and a corticosteroid (betamethasone dipropionate).

Alma Lasers has annouced that it received FDA clearance for its new fractionated skin resurfacing module, the Pixel RF.

The Pixel RF uses "InMotion Refractive Radiofrequency Micro Plasma Technology," which ablates and heats the skin through controlled, focused delivery of energy without using disposables, according to a company news release.

According to the company, the technology causes evaporation, mechanical damage, and thermal damage below the epidermis, which provides significant dermal impact, but minimal epidermal disruption, and can be used on all skin types. The company further states that the fractionated resurfacing with radiofrequency technology does not harm the skin's outer layer, resulting in healing time that is faster than traditional CO₂ lasers. Alma Lasers said monthly treatments typically deliver optimal results in 2 to 3 months.