Biofrontera Inc. announced a significant milestone in its clinical development program on August 25, 2025, with the completion of patient enrollment in its Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating Ameluz (aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride) for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. The final patient completed participation on August 22, 2025, marking a crucial step toward potentially expanding the therapeutic applications of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in dermatology.
Clinical Trial Design and Methodology
The Phase 2b trial represents a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study comparing Ameluz with vehicle gel for treating moderate to severe acne vulgaris using red-light photodynamic therapy. The study protocol involves applying one tube of either Ameluz or vehicle gel to the entire face, followed by an incubation period of either 1 or 3 hours before illumination with the BF-RhodoLED lamp.
Participants receive up to 3 PDT sessions at monthly intervals, with an additional 2-month follow-up period after the final treatment. This comprehensive approach allows researchers to evaluate both the immediate and sustained effects of the therapy on acne lesions.
Market Opportunity and Unmet Medical Need
Acne vulgaris affects an estimated 50 million people annually in the United States, making it the most common skin condition in the country. The condition extends beyond adolescence, impacting approximately 40% of adults and ranging from mild comedonal lesions to severe inflammatory forms that can cause permanent scarring and significant psychological effects, including reduced self-esteem and depression.
The U.S. acne treatment market, valued at $5.7 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at a 5.3% compound annual growth rate, reflects substantial unmet medical needs. Current treatment guidelines recommend various options including topical agents, systemic antibiotics, hormonal therapies, and isotretinoin. However, these treatments frequently carry limitations such as serious side effects, teratogenic risks, daily dosing requirements, and growing concerns about antibiotic resistance.
More than 55% of current spending is directed toward oral antibiotics and isotretinoin, underscoring the heavy reliance on systemic therapies and highlighting the opportunity for novel treatment approaches that could offer improved safety profiles.
Clinical Leadership and Expert Perspectives
Dr. Hermann Luebbert, CEO and Chairman of Biofrontera Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the milestone, stating, "We are thrilled to achieve this important milestone in our clinical program. It brings us a significant step closer to potentially offering a new, effective and much needed treatment option for patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris. This trial represents meaningful progress in expanding the indications for Ameluz and reinforces our commitment to advancing PDT."
Dr. Mitchel P. Goldman, the coordinating investigator and Medical Director of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology and Platinum Dermatology Partners, provided additional clinical context: "Ameluz PDT has demonstrated meaningful benefits in other dermatologic conditions, and we believe it will become an important option for patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris. Many of these patients continue to rely on regimens that carry significant treatment burdens including cost, adverse effects and the necessity for prolonged treatments. Expanding the use of Ameluz to treat acne would be a valuable advancement for both physicians and patients."
Regulatory Timeline and Next Steps
Biofrontera expects to receive top-line data from the Phase 2b trial in Q1 2026. Pending positive results, the company plans to present findings to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in early Q3 2026 as the foundation for a future Phase 3 program. The ultimate goal is achieving regulatory approval for Ameluz PDT in treating acne vulgaris, which would represent a significant label expansion for the therapy.
Company Background and Current Applications
Biofrontera Inc. specializes in developing and commercializing photodynamic therapy for dermatological conditions. The company currently markets the drug-device combination of Ameluz with the RhodoLED lamp series for PDT treatment of actinic keratosis, pre-cancerous skin lesions that may progress to invasive skin cancers. The company is actively conducting clinical trials to extend product applications to non-melanoma skin cancers and moderate to severe acne.
