BioSpecifics Technologies' XIAFLEX receives marketing approval from FDA

Sep 17 2009

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BSTC), a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class collagenase-based products, today announced that the Arthritis Advisory Committee appointed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) unanimously recommended by a vote of 12 to 0 that XIAFLEX(TM) (collagenase clostridium histolyticum), a novel, first-in-class, orphan-designated, biologic, be granted marketing approval by the FDA for the treatment of Dupuytren's disease, a debilitating disorder resulting from excessive collagen deposition that causes contractures of the fingers.

"We believe that the Advisory Committee's very supportive vote today for XIAFLEX represents a major advance for both the patients suffering from Dupuytren's disease, as well as for BioSpecifics and its shareholders," stated Thomas L. Wegman, President of BioSpecifics. "We congratulate our partner Auxilium on its thorough and thoughtful presentation today and look forward to the FDA's decision regarding the approval of XIAFLEX."

The Advisory Committee's recommendations are not binding, but will be considered by the FDA in its review of the XIAFLEX BLA. Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has licensed the rights to XIAFLEX from BioSpecifics for three clinical indications: Dupuytren's disease; Peyronie's disease; and frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis). Auxilium filed its BLA for XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's disease on February 27, 2009 and received a target date under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date of August 28, 2009, which has not been updated.