Cutera to Acquire Iridex's Aesthetic Business Assets
Cutera announced that it will purchase certain assets of IRIDEX's global aesthetic business for approximately $5.1 million. This proposed strategic combination is expected to advance Cutera's presence among core physicians worldwide and create a stronghold in the vascular aesthetic sector. The transaction is expected to close in early 2012 and has been approved by both boards of directors. Cutera expects to fund the acquisition through its existing cash resources. IRIDEX will continue supporting its customers worldwide until Cutera assumes this responsibility after closing. The parties have also entered into an agreement for IRIDEX to supply Cutera with transitional product and service support.
Leo Launches Quality Care Program
LEO Pharma launched the LEO Quality Care program, which is designed to provide additional patient education materials and support to patients suffering from plaque psoriasis. The starter kit includes a free sample of Taclonex Ointment or Taclonex Scalp Topical Suspension, as well as a copay card for Taclonex products which makes copays for eligible patients as low as $0. Patients also receive a webkey that provides patient access to educational materials at http://www.taclonex.com and access to a registered nurse support line to answer questions about treatment.
Targeted Agent Side Effects Add to Cancer Cost
The cost of diagnosis and treatment of dermatologic toxicities (dT) associated with targeted agents is a major contributing factor to the overall economic burden of cancer care (Archives of Dermatology. 2011; 147(12): 1403-1409). In the study patients diagnosed as having one primary cancer type were treated with one molecularly targeted agent. Sorafenib was associated with the most costly overall median cost per patient ($2509 per patient), and imatinib was associated with the least costly overall median cost per patient ($1263 per patient). Among the seven targeted drugs and all 10 dTs, the most costly dT (measured by cost of treatment with medications) was hand/foot skin reaction, associated with sorafenib therapy (median cost, $968 per patient). The second most costly dT was panitumumab-associated acneiform eruption (median cost, $933 per patient).
Switching Biologic Therapies May Lead to Greater Efficacy
Seeking to determine the efficacy and safety of transitioning to adalimumab for the treatment of psoriasis in patients with suboptimal response other therapies, investigators concluded that switching to adalimumab resulted in a low risk of flaring (J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Apr;64(4): 671-81). In a 16-week, open-label, phase IIIb trial, patients with chronic plaque psoriasis discontinued suboptimal therapy between 11 and 17 days (etanercept) or between 4 and 10 days (MTX and NB-UVB) before initiating adalimumab (80 mg at week 0, then 40 mg every other week from week 1). The primary end point was the percentage of patients achieving a Physician Global Assessment of "clear" or "minimal" at week 16. Results indicated that 52 percent of patients achieved a PGA of “clear" or "minimal", as compared to 49 percent, 61 percent, and 48 percent in the etanercept, MTX, and NB-UVB subgroups, respectively. The researchers concluded that immediate transition to adalimumab from prior suboptimal therapy, with no dosage tapering or overlap, had a low risk of psoriasis flare.
SEC Charges Stiefel with Defrauding Shareholders Prior to GSK Acquisition
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Stiefel, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, and its former chairman and CEO Charles Stiefel with defrauding employees and other shareholders in the company's stock plan by buying back their stock at severely undervalued prices prior to GSK's acquisition of the company. The SEC alleges that, prior to being acquired by GSK, Stiefel used low valuations for stock buybacks from November 2006 to April 2009. The SEC further alleges that Stiefel omitted key information that would have alerted employees that their stock was actually worth much more; the information was confined to then-CEO Charles Stiefel and certain members of his family as well as some senior management.
"Are You Serious?" Campaign Relaunches
The national psoriasis awareness campaign, Are You Serious? has relaunched with a focus on everyday people living with the disease. New additions to the website include the Psoriasis Storytellers Network, along with a plethora of helpful resources and information. Patients who share their story receive a free patient awareness kit. Also new to the site is a section called Dermatologist Insights, where dermatologists Stefan Weiss and April Armstrong address some of the topics featured on the Psoriasis Storytellers Network, in addition to news and trends within the psoriasis community. For more info visit: http://seriousaboutpsoriasis.com.
Encite Announces PQRS Reporting with the AAD
Encite Inc., announced the automation of PQRS reporting with the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Encite invites dermatologists who use their EHR to participate in the automated process of capturing Medicare patient quality measures through the AAD‘s Quality Report System (QRS) registry module. Data is uploaded to the AAD registry through Encite's QRS feature within the EHR software application. The investment is $249 per physician through the AAD.
New Data Finds Patterns in Facial Pore Development
A new study indicates that increased sebum and decreased skin elasticity in men were mostly correlated with facial pore development (Skin Res Technol. 2011 Dec 28). Researchers assessed various parameters of facial pores using the Robo Skin Analyzer. The facial sebum secretion and skin elasticity were measured using the Sebumeter and the Cutometer, respectively. Male gender and the existence of acne were correlated with higher number of facial pores. Sebum secretion levels showed positive correlation with facial pores. The R7 parameter of skin elasticity was negatively correlated with facial pores, suggesting increased facial pores with decreased skin elasticity. However, the age and the severity of acne did not show a definite relationship with facial pores. Investigators concluded that further studies on population with various demographic profiles and more severe acne may be helpful to elucidate the potential effect of aging and acne severity on facial pores.
Intendis Changes Name to Bayer HealthCare
Intendis is now Bayer HealthCare. Intendis was acquired by Bayer five years ago and until this point kept its name. While all Intendis branding will be changed to reflect the Bayer brand, the company notes that there will be no changes in the well-established organization, structure, or product quality of the company. "Although Intendis, Inc. will have a new name and a new look, the company's pioneering tradition in dermatology remains at the heart of everything we do," Bill Griffing, US President and General Manager for Bayer HealthCare's Dermatology Unit, said in a statement. For more on Bayer HealthCare and its products, see page 48.
Meeting Calendar Updates
- The Cosmetic Surgery Forum 2012 (Cosmeticsurgeryforum.com/) will be held November 29 to December 1 at the The Palazzo in Las Vegas, NV. Details and registration will be available online. Early-bird pricing through August.
- The Medical Entrepreneur Symposium (TheMedicalEntrepreneur.com), a three-day, CMEaccredited intense educational conference created to teach and prepare physicians at any point in their career for the business world will be held at the Delray Beach Marriott in Delray Beach, FL, from March 29 through April 1, 2012. The cost is $799.
- American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) 32nd Annual Conference (www.aslms.org )will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL, April 18-22, 2012.
- The Dermatology Nurses' Association's (DNA) 30th Annual Convention (www.dnanurse.org) begins February 16, 2012 in Denver. Registration for all meetings is open online.
