BioPharmX Corporation, a specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that research being presented at the 2016 Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference shows its unique formulation of minocycline, known as BPX-01, may offer a breakthrough in acne treatment because it may not result in systemic toxicities commonly associated with current use of the orally administered antibiotic.

Minocycline is the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicine most commonly prescribed to treat acne. However it is typically used orally because no one has found a way to produce an effective minocycline-based topical medication.  BPX-01 is the first and only stable hydrophilic (non-oil-based) topical gel formulation with fully solubilized minocycline that effectively delivers the antibiotic to the source of the acne.

Results from a preclinical toxicology study demonstrate that both systemic exposure and peak plasma concentrations of minocycline are minimized by topical administration, which eliminates the risk of unwanted side-effects associated with oral minocycline, including diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness that can discourage compliance.

Study findings will be presented Monday at the Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference, being held in Koloa, Hawaii, Jan. 15-20.

“The topical administration of minocycline via BPX-01 delivers the antibiotic to the specific layer of skin where acne develops, but does not result in a significant concentration of the drug in the system, suggesting that it may offer dermatologists a safer way to treat the condition,” said Kin F. Chan, Ph.D., executive vice president of research and development at BioPharmX Corporation. “The preclinical studies suggest that this targeted delivery of minocycline virtually eliminates any risk of systemic side effects.”

Most topical acne medications available today use less effective antibiotics than minocycline. However, many are lipophilic (oil based), which means they cannot effectively deliver even the less effective antibiotic to the epidermis and the pilosebaceous region where acne develops.

The BioPharmX research also found that its hydrophilic BPX-01 formulation distributes evenly, is not sticky and does not occlude or irritate the skin, an advantage in the treatment of acne.

The American Academy of Dermatology calls acne the “most common skin condition in the United States,” affecting 40 million to 50 million Americans at any given moment. The disease can cause permanent scarring, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety.