What is minocycline gel?

API specialist Hovione has filed its first Investigational New Drug (IND) Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for a product called minocycline gel.

Intended for drug delivery, minocycline gel is a formulation based on a new patented crystalline base form of minocycline, to administer topically one of the most widely prescribed oral antibiotics for acne. Currently, there are no approved topical formulations of minocycline for the treatment of acne. While oral administration of minocycline has a well-established efficacy and safety profile in acne, it is also associated with certain adverse events, due to systemic exposure. Pending the FDA’s acceptance of the IND submission, Hovione plans to initiate human clinical Phase 1/2 studies in early 2015.

“This filing represents a turning point in Hovione’s history. It builds on 50 years of manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Particle Engineering and Formulation” said Carla Vozone, Hovione’s Senior Director of Product Development and Licensing. “This is a novel route of administration for a drug with proven safety and efficacy over more than 30 years of clinical use. We believe the targeted delivery to the site of action will reduce systemic exposure and thus potentially reduce the adverse events profile”.