Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc a dermatologist-led biopharmaceutical company, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ESKATA™ (hydrogen peroxide) topical solution, 40% (w/w) for the treatment of raised seborrheic keratoses, or SKs. SKs are non-cancerous skin growths that affect more than 83 million American adults and can be an aesthetic skin concern. SKs tend to increase in size and number with age. The condition is more prevalent than acne, psoriasis and rosacea combined.
“This achievement delivers on Aclaris’ commitment to bringing innovative therapies to market that address significant unmet needs in dermatology,” said Dr. Neal Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aclaris. “For the first time, with the approval of ESKATA, patients will have access to an FDA-approved topical, non-invasive treatment for raised SKs.”
ESKATA is a proprietary, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide-based topical solution designed for in-office application by a healthcare provider. It is a targeted treatment applied directly to the raised SK using a pen-like applicator.
“We are proud to offer ESKATA to dermatologists and their patients as a treatment that can clear raised SKs without cutting, burning or freezing the skin. As a clinician, I saw first-hand that patients preferred non-invasive treatments,” said Stuart D. Shanler, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Aclaris. “We believe ESKATA may appeal to patients who are bothered by the appearance of their raised SKs — especially in highly visible areas such as the face and neck — and that patients are looking for a treatment that is safe and effective.”
“Many of my patients begin to notice SKs around age 40 and feel self-conscious about them,” said Anne M. Chapas, M.D., FAAD, Founder and Medical Director of Union Square Dermatology; Clinical Instructor of Dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York; and a consultant for Aclaris. “With the approval of ESKATA, I am pleased to be able to offer my patients a topical treatment option that is well tolerated and can clear raised SKs with a low risk of scarring.”
The FDA approval of ESKATA is based on two pivotal Phase 3 trials that demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ESKATA for the treatment of raised SKs. In these trials, patients received up to two treatments with ESKATA, with one at treatment initiation and a second at week three. Patients treated with ESKATA were more likely to have all four treated SKs completely cleared after two treatments than patients who received placebo. Treatment with ESKATA was generally well tolerated, with the most common side effects being itching, stinging, crusting, swelling, redness and scaling at the site of application.
It is important to see a healthcare provider with expertise in diagnosing skin conditions to confirm the diagnosis of SKs and determine whether ESKATA is an appropriate treatment.
“A recent consumer survey by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) supports the need for an effective treatment of SKs,” said Lisa Donofrio, M.D., ASDS President. “ESKATA provides physicians with the first topical treatment option to satisfy this unmet patient need.”
