The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Journey Medical's Emrosi (minocycline hydrochloride extended-release capsules 40mg) for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults. This approval marks a significant advancement in the treatment of a common and often distressing skin condition.
Rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects more than 16 million people in the United States. It is characterized by deep facial redness, acne-like inflammatory lesions, and visible blood vessels in the face. Beyond the physical symptoms, rosacea can have a profound psychological impact, with many patients reporting lowered self-confidence and avoidance of social situations.
The FDA's decision to approve Emrosi was based on data from two 16-week Phase 3 clinical trials. These trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of Emrosi compared to both Galderma’s Oracea (a standard-of-care treatment for rosacea) and a placebo. The trials met all co-primary and secondary endpoints, demonstrating statistically significant superiority of Emrosi over both Oracea and placebo in Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) treatment success and reduction in total inflammatory lesion count. Importantly, no significant safety issues were observed during the trials.
Claude Maraoui, co-founder, president, and chief executive officer of Journey Medical, stated, "Rosacea is a difficult-to-treat skin condition, and based on the favorable results from our phase 3 clinical trials, Emrosi has the potential to become the best-in-class oral medication to treat the condition." He further added that the company's sales force is preparing for a successful launch to establish Emrosi as a new standard of care.
Srinivas Sidgiddi, vice president, research and development at Journey Medical, highlighted the efficacy and tolerability of Emrosi observed in the pivotal clinical trials.
Journey Medical anticipates that an initial supply of Emrosi will be available in late in the first quarter or early in the second quarter of 2025. The introduction of Emrosi offers a new therapeutic option for adults suffering from inflammatory lesions associated with rosacea, addressing both the physical and psychological burdens of this condition.
