SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 2, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Medicis (NYSE:MRX) today announced that the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") has broadened the indication of VANOS(TM), a Class I corticosteroid launched in April 2005 and originally indicated for the treatment of plaque-type psoriasis. VANOS(TM) is now indicated as a primary therapy for all inflammatory and pruritic skin conditions in patients 12 years of age or older which are responsive to corticosteroids. Such conditions include eczema and poison ivy, which occur commonly. The unique formulation of VANOS(TM) provides doctors and patients with the convenience of a super high potency vehicle in the form of a cream for once or twice daily application in psoriasis and once daily in the other indicated conditions. VANOS(TM) is patent protected until 2021.
VANOS(TM) is available by prescription in a 30-gram size (NDC No. 99207-525-30) and a 60-gram size (NDC No. 99207-525-60). The most common adverse events associated with the use of VANOS(TM) are headache and burning at the application site. VANOS(TM) is contraindicated for use by patients with a history of hypersensitivity to its components. When used as directed, VANOS(TM) is safe and efficacious for the treatment of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses. Full prescribing information for VANOS(TM) can be obtained by contacting Medicis. Consult your physician to see if VANOS(TM) is right for you.
VANOS(TM) is manufactured by Patheon, Inc. in Canada.
About Medicis
Medicis is the leading independent specialty pharmaceutical company in the United States focusing primarily on the treatment of dermatological and podiatric conditions and aesthetics medicine. The Company is dedicated to helping patients attain a healthy and youthful appearance and self-image. Medicis has leading branded prescription products in a number of therapeutic categories, including acne, eczema, fungal infections, psoriasis, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and skin and skin-structure infections. The Company's products have earned wide acceptance by both physicians and patients due to their clinical effectiveness, high quality and cosmetic elegance.
The Company's products include the prescription brands RESTYLANE(R), DYNACIN(R) (minocycline HCl), LOPROX(R) (ciclopirox), OMNICEF(R) (cefdinir), PLEXION(R) (sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur), TRIAZ(R) (benzoyl peroxide), LIDEX(R) (fluocinonide) Cream, 0.05%, VANOS(TM) (fluocinonide) Cream, 0.1%, and SYNALAR(R) (fluocinolone acetonide), BUPHENYL(R) (sodium phenylbutyrate) and AMMONUL(R) (sodium phenylacetate/sodium benzoate), prescription products indicated in the treatment of Urea Cycle Disorder, and the over-the-counter brand ESOTERICA(R).
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Medicis expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by Medicis based on its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, its ability to commercialize the expanded indications for VANOS(TM) and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurances can be given, however, that these activities, events or developments will occur or that such results will be achieved. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Medicis.
The Company's business is subject to all risk factors outlined in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. At the time of this press release, the Company cannot, among other things, assess the likelihood, timing or forthcoming results of research and development projects and the risks associated with the FDA approval process, risks associated with significant competition within the Company's industry, nor can the Company validate its assumptions of the full impact on its business of the approval of competitive generic versions of the Company's core brands, in particular, the recent approval of a generic LOPROX(R) Cream and LOPROX(R) TS, or a substitutable DYNACIN(R) Tablet form, and any future competitive product approvals that may affect the Company's brands. Additionally, Medicis may acquire and/or license rights, products or technologies from third parties to enter into new strategic markets. The Company periodically makes up-front, non-refundable payments to third parties for research and development work, which has been completed and periodically makes additional non-refundable payments for the achievement of various milestones. There can be no certainty in which periods these potential payments could be made, nor if any payments such as these will be made at all. Any estimated future guidance does not include the potential payments associated with any such transactions. Also, there are a number of additional important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including the anticipated size of the markets for Medicis' products, the availability of product supply and the receipt of required regulatory approvals; the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries including product liability claims, the introduction of federal and/or state regulations relating to the Company's business, dependence on sales of key products, the uncertainty of future financial results and fluctuations in operating results, dependence on Medicis' strategy including the uncertainty of license payments and/or other payments due from third parties, the timing and success of new product development by Medicis or third parties, competitive product introductions, the risks of pending and future litigation or government investigations and other risks described from time to time in Medicis' SEC filings including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2005, and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements represent the judgment of Medicis' management as of the date of this release, and Medicis disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein, which speak as of the date hereof.
NOTE: Full prescribing information for any Medicis prescription product is available by contacting the Company. OMNICEF(R) is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories, Inc. under a license from Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. RESTYLANE(R) is a registered trademark of HA North American Sales AB, a subsidiary of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corporation. All other marks (or brands) and names are the property of Medicis or its Affiliates.