Sirona Biochem Corp. announced that its partner Obagi Medical Products Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., has started manufacturing scale-up of the skin lightening compound (TFC-849) originally developed by Sirona's scientists in France.

According to the company, The global skin lighteners market has been forecast to reach a value of US$19.8 billion by 2018, driven by the growing desire for light-colored skin among both men and women. Several studies have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and stability of Sirona Biochem's depigmenting agent TFC-849 showing:

·            • TFC-849 is 14X more effective than beta arbutin

·             • TFC-849 is 7X more effective than alpha arbutin

·             • TFC-849 is chemically stable and does not release hydroquinone

·             • TFC-849 is non-genotoxic

·             • TFC-849 is shown to be a non-irritant in ocular tolerability study

·             • TFC-849 is shown to be a non-phototoxic in study against UVA irradiation

·             • TFC-849 is shown to be a non-irritant in RHE study

Sirona Biochem licensed its patented skin lightening technology and know-how to Obagi in January 2014. Obagi is responsible for manufacture and distribution of the compound as part of a line of skincare products, which includes skin lightening.

"Obagi Medical Products is a world-renowned company which offers some of the most efficacious skin care products on the market", said Dr. Howard Verrico, Chief Executive Officer of Sirona Biochem. "With manufacturing started, we can now confidently look forward to the commercial launch of the skin lightener. Thanks to TFC-849, Obagi's new products will be safer and more effective than products currently in the market so there is high probability that Obagi can see its already substantial market share increase further over the coming years. Sirona will receive ongoing royalty payments for global sales of the commercialized product, which will be part of Obagi's best-selling product line.”