Foamix psoriasis treatment finds favor over GSK rival

Results from the phase I/II study of betamethasone valerate 0.12% foam in plaque type psoriatic patients demonstrated that the Foamix’ product candidate was efficacious and safe.

Patients also rated the foam as better than the comparator cream, GlaxoSmithKline’s Betnovate Cream, for usability parameters including skin absorption, oily residue, stickiness and odor.

The trial involved 30 adults between 18 to 80 years of age. All participants were diagnosed with bilateral plaque-type psoriasis for at least one year. Two similar plaque areas of psoriasis were selected for treatment on each patient. Patients applied betamethasone valerate 0.12% in an emollient foam form or the control cream, according to the randomization protocol, to the test plaque area twice daily, for six weeks.

“Both the foam and the cream proved effective. More than 84% of study participants experienced significant improvement,” said the study’s principal investigator, Dr Avner Shemer. “Notably, in terms of usability, there was a clear difference. Study participants reported a preference for the foam noting it absorbed into the skin faster and did not leave any unpleasant byproducts, as did the cream.”

Foamix says its product candidate is petrolatum- and alcohol-free and non-greasy, enabling it to maintain skin hydration without clogging pores or occluding the skin.

“Treatment compliance is a major issue for most suffering from psoriasis. The available creams require extensive rubbing to apply, take time to absorb and leave an unpleasant after-feeling and odor. As a result, patients choose to live with their condition, rather than to treat it,” stated Foamix CEO Dr Dov Tamarkin. “We believe that the introduction of an effective, instantly absorbed foam product, without the noted byproducts of cream, will not only help to reverse the downward slide in condition treatment, but catapult it significantly upward.”