Leading Investigators Highlight Advances in Photodynamic Therapy at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting
For release at 6:00 am ET
Contact:
Shari Lovell, Director, Shareholder Services - 978-657-7500 Ext. 1121
Chad Rubin, Investor Relations Contact, The Trout Group LLC - 646-378-2947
Media Contact:
Megan Gallivan, Spectrum Science Communications - mgallivan@spectrumscience.com
202-955-6222 ext. 2586
Leading Investigators Highlight Advances in Photodynamic Therapy at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting
First-Line Treatment for Patients at Risk for Skin Cancer
Evaluated for Potential Effectiveness for Wide Array of Dermatologic Needs
Wilmington, Mass. (February 6, 2008) - Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) was featured as a key topic at the 66th Annual American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. More than 25 presentations and posters by prominent investigators addressed PDT, focusing on the therapy's benefits and clinical developments, including the FDA-approved use of aminolevulinic acid (ALA) PDT for the treatment of mild to moderate actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp, as well as investigational uses for skin cancer, acne and numerous other skin conditions.
"ALA PDT is rapidly becoming the standard treatment for multiple AKs in the United States and internationally, with growing interest in PDT for the treatment of acne, photorejuvenation, chemoprevention and other skin conditions," said Dr. Michael Gold, Medical Director, Gold Skin Care Center, Tennessee Clinical Research Center, Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University, and Visiting Professor of Dermatology at Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, China. "Clinical and pharmacoeconomic data presented at this year's AAD meeting underscores that PDT is a cost-effective, first-line treatment modality for patients and will lead to continued advancements in the field of dermatology."
On February 4, more than 200 dermatologists attended Photodynamic Therapy - the third annual course on PDT led by Dr. Gold. Dr. Gold and thirteen dermatologists from the U.S. and around the world, including Asia, Europe and South America, provided a comprehensive clinical overview of PDT and the global perspectives on its new and emerging uses in dermatology. Additional data from investigator studies supported by DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.® (NASDAQ GM: DUSA) and other independent studies also reported results in the use of Levulan® PDT, DUSA's brand of ALA PDT in AK, acne, photodamage, basal cell carcinoma and other skin conditions.
During the course, Dr. Gold discussed his recent paper published in the January 2008 issue of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology entitled "Pharmacoeconomic Analysis of the Treatment of Multiple Actinic Keratoses." The study examined the cost of four FDA-approved therapies for multiple AK lesions given in combination with cryotherapy (imiquimod, diclofenac, 5-fluorouracil [5-FU], and ALA PDT) and found that ALA PDT is the most cost effective treatment.
"The ongoing focus on Levulan photodynamic therapy as a unique treatment demonstrates the critical importance of this therapy to the field of dermatology," stated Mr. Robert Doman, President and CEO of DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "The increasing demand for Levulan PDT treatment in the U.S. as well as by the international dermatology community clearly shows that dermatologists have embraced our therapy as a first-line treatment for their patients with AKs. We believe that Levulan PDT will continue to positively impact the global dermatology community."
The Levulan PDT system (Levulan® Kerastick® together with the BLU-U® brand light source) marketed by DUSA is the only currently available PDT treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for AKs. Levulan PDT also has regulatory approval as first-line therapy for AKs in Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Brazil (where pricing approval is pending), Colombia and Korea.
About Actinic Keratoses
Actinic Keratoses (AKs) are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, such as sunlight. They are often referred to as "sun spots" and they occur most frequently on sun exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms. They form on the outermost layer of skin and they can range in color from skin toned to reddish brown. They can also range in size from as small as a pinhead to larger than a quarter. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) states that AKs affect more than ten million Americans, with the majority occurring primarily in fair skinned individuals.
About Levulan PDT
The Levulan Photodynamic Therapy System (PDT system) using the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator is an advanced 2-step treatment for minimally to moderately thick Grade 1 or 2 AKs (AKs that have not yet become enlarged and thick) of the face or scalp. The system is unique because it uses a light activated drug therapy to destroy AKs. This system consists of treatment with Levulan Kerastick Topical Solution, 20% and the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator (BLU-U).
About DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an integrated dermatology pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development and marketing of its Levulan Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) technology platform, and complementary dermatology products. Levulan PDT is currently approved for the treatment of Grade 1 or 2 actinic keratoses of the face or scalp, and is being studied for the treatment of acne. DUSA's other dermatology products include ClindaReachTM and Nicomide®. DUSA is also researching additional indications for internal uses of Levulan PDT. Dr. Michael Gold is a consultant to DUSA and a member of its Medical Advisory Board. DUSA is based in Wilmington, Mass. Please visit our Web site at www.dusapharma.com for more information.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risk and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements made. These forward-looking statements relate to beliefs that clinical and pharmacoeconomic data will lead to advancements in dermatology and to the impact of Levulan PDT in the global dermatology community. Furthermore, the factors that may cause differing results include reliance on third parties, the uncertainties of the regulatory approval process, market acceptance of our product, availability of capital, compliance with regulatory regulations, and other risks identified in DUSA's SEC filings from time to time.
# # #