Galderma Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology products, recently announced results from its ORCA (Orecea for Rosacea: a Community-Based Assessment) study, the largest rosacea study ever. The ORCA study looked at 1,421 patients with mild to severe papulopustular rosacea (PPR), a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the face. Researchers found that Galderma’s Oracea reduced pustules and papules related to rosacea when used as monotherapy or in combination with other topical therapies. Three out of four patients showed significant improvement after 12 weeks of treatment. Oracea is a novel formulation of doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, and is the only oral medication approved in the U.S. to treat rosacea. Galderma also manufactures Metrogel, a topical treatment for inflammatory lesions caused by rosacea.
According to the National Rosacea Society, an estimated 16 million Americans have rosacea. Patients experienced redness on their cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. Over time, the redness can spread to areas such as the neck and scalp, and patients may develop pimples and visible blood vessels. The condition tends to become worse over time, and thickening of the skin due to excess tissue buildup may occur around the nose. The incidence of rosacea tends to be higher in women than in men. Papulopustular rosacea is characterized by redness combined with bumps and pimples. It is not known specifically what causes rosacea, although symptoms can be triggered by a variety of factors—spicy foods, alcohol, weather changes, and more. The condition can cause significant personal embarrassment and affect the patient’s quality of life.
Topical medications, oral antibiotics, and isotretinoin (such as Accutane) are typically used to treat rosacea. One popular treatment is Intendis’ Finacea, the first and only topical gel approved to treat pustules and papules associated with rosacea. Stiefel Laboratories also makes a topical treatment for roseacea. According to a recent report from Research and Markets, the global dermatology therapeutics market, which includes treatments for conditions such as rosacea and psoriasis, totaled approximately $10.0 billion in 2009 and is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.2% to reach $12.5 billion by 2016.
For those interested in learning more about rosacea, one of the more prominent sites related to this skin condition is Rosacea-Support.org. The online community provides resources and support for rosacea patients and has over 1,800 members.