Allergan’s Rhofade cream got USFDA approval for treating persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea

Allergan plc, a leading global pharmaceutical company, has announced the approval of Rhofade cream by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the topical treatment of persistent facial erythema (redness) associated with rosacea in adults. Approval was based on two clinical studies that evaluated the primary efficacy endpoint on day 29.

The National Rosacea Society (NRS) estimates that approximately 16 million Americans are affected by rosacea. Persistent facial redness is cited as the most common sign of rosacea, and may resemble a flushing or sunburn that does not go away. Typical triggers include sun exposure, stress, weather, food, exercise and/or products. In an NRS survey, 65 per cent of rosacea patients surveyed said their symptoms first appeared between 30-60 years of age.

“Historically, there haven’t been many options available to help physicians address persistent facial erythema and often we ended up just helping our patients identify and manage triggers, which can lead to frustration for both the doctor and patient,” said Dr. Robert Weiss, clinical trial investigator and director of Maryland Laser, Skin & Vein Institute. “With the approval of Rhofade, doctors will now be able to provide their patients with an effective once-daily treatment option to help manage this condition.”

In two clinical trials, a once-daily application of Rhofade was proven to reduce persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea through 12 hours. The primary efficacy endpoint was at day 29 and defined as the proportion of patients with at least a 2-grade reduction in erythema (improvement) from baseline (pre-dose on day 1) on both the clinician erythema assessment (CEA) and subject self-assessment (SSA) (composite success) measured at hours 3, 6, 9 and 12 versus vehicle. CEA and SSA also measured at Days 1 and 15 at hours 3, 6, 9, and 12.

The clinical trials were identical, multicentered, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, and vehicle-controlled in moderate or severe patients, N=885, 18 years or older.

In both pivotal trials, the primary efficacy endpoint was met. The proportion of patients achieving composite success were as follows: at hours 3, 6, 9 and 12 results in study 1 were Rhofade (N=222) 12 per cent, 16 per cent, 18 per cent, 15 per cent versus Vehicle (N=218) 6 per cent, 8 per cent, 6 per cent, 6 per cent and in study 2 were Rhofade (N=224) 14 per cent, 13 per cent, 16 per cent and 12 per cent versus Vehicle (N=221) 7 per cent, 5 per cent, 9 per cent and 6 per cent. Rhofade was proven more effective than vehicle in reducing persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults. Rhofade will be available for commercial supply starting May 2017 in the United States.