BioPharmX Corporation’s novel topical minocycline, BPX-01, reduced facial P. acnes by more than 90 percent after four weeks, new research shows.

In the Phase 2a study, a daily 10 mg dose of topical minocycline offered P. acnes reduction that comparable to oral minocycline at 20 times the daily dose.  The reduction at four weeks was also statistically significant between BPX-01 and the vehicle control, the study showed.

What’s more, there were no adverse cutaneous effects observed, no clinically significant hematologic or chemistry alterations occurred, and no minocycline was detected in the blood at any time point. The study's patient exit survey indicated 100 percent satisfaction with BPX-01's usability and tolerability.

Next up is a Phase 2b study.

"The dermatology community is excited about the promise of BPX-01," saysHilary Baldwin, MD,  co-chair of the BioPharmX Therapeutic Dermatology Medical Advisory Board, in a news release. "We would love to have an effective topical treatment that fights P. acnes without exposing patients to the risk of systemic antibiotics."