Positive results from Onset Therapeutics' BenzEFoam Emollient Foam skin moisturization study

Dec 16 2009

Onset Therapeutics, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused in dermatology, today announced positive results from a skin moisturization study that compared the Company’s recently launched BenzEFoam™ (benzoyl peroxide 5.3%) Emollient Foam to a market leading combination gel containing clindamycin 1% - benzoyl peroxide 5%. BenzEFoam™ Emollient Foam is indicated for the topical treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris and is the first prescription foam formulation containing benzoyl peroxide as the active ingredient.

The skin moisturization study demonstrated that BenzEFoam’s emollient foam provides greater skin hydration (statistically significant) than a currently marketed clindamycin 1% - benzoyl peroxide 5% gel at all time points over an 8-hour period post application. The study results are available on the newly launched BenzEFoam™ website, www.benzefoam.com. Most currently available benzoyl peroxide formulations can cause skin dryness leading to irritation and scaling. This can negatively affect patient acceptance of the product, leading to reduced patient compliance. BenzEFoam’s unique emollient formulation addresses this issue, and offers both physicians and patients a product that is ideal for the treatment of mild to moderate body acne, due to its ease of spreadability and ability to cover a wide body surface area.

The www.benzefoam.com website also includes study results from an investigator-initiated study conducted by James J. Leyden, MD. This study was the first to evaluate the reduction of the acne-causing bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. Acnes) on the back after treatment with an acne medication. This study demonstrated that total P. acnes colony counts on patients’ backs were reduced by >99% after 2 weeks of treatment with BenzEFoam™. In contrast, a benzoyl peroxide 8% wash applied in the shower failed to significantly reduce P. acnes counts on the back after two full weeks of treatment.

The visually dynamic website also contains more than a dozen videos featuring expert dermatologists discussing the topical treatment of acne and the role of benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment. In addition, patients and healthcare professionals can download instant rebate coupons for BenzEFoam™ Emollient Foam directly from the website.

“The BenzEFoam™ formulation is rich in emollients and humectants and was specifically tailored to maximize the cosmetic elegance and moisturization properties of the product in an effort to increase patient compliance, which in turn can positively affect the efficacy of a product,” stated Doug Abel, General Manager of Onset Therapeutics. “With the launch of our website we are pleased to offer patients and physicians a new informational resource to assist them in managing mild to moderate acne vulgaris. The video discussions contained on the BenzEFoam™ website, led by well-known dermatologists discussing the topical treatment of acne, provide an invaluable resource to our customers.”