Advitech carves out deal for PhotoMedex to market psoriasis product Dermylex

By E. Janene Geiss

Philadelphia, Jan. 12 - Advitech Inc. said it has reached an agreement in principle with PhotoMedex Inc., to market and distribute its psoriasis product Dermylex in the United States, according to a company news release.

PhotoMedex said it intends to prelaunch the product during the first quarter of 2006 in selected locations and based on the results of this prelaunch phase, it expects to roll-out the product in all its sales locations in the United States in the second half of 2006.

Before beginning a full roll-out of the product, Advitech and PhotoMedex said they intend to complete the negotiations for a definitive contract before June 30.

The contract will give PhotoMedex exclusive rights from Advitech to market products using Dermylex, Advitech's clinically tested bioactive ingredient for the treatment of psoriasis in specific U.S market segment, officials said.

The contract will extend over several years and will provide for certain minimum level of purchase of products to be negotiated between PhotoMedex and Advitech.

Other terms and conditions of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We are very pleased with this agreement because we share with PhotoMedex the importance of providing effective solutions for mild-to-moderate psoriasis patients. Their effective sales organization and access to dermatologists will also allow our product to be positioned very well in the important U.S. market," Renaud Beauchesne, Advitech chief executive officer, said in the release.

PhotoMedex officials said they see Advitech's product as a complement to its Xtrac laser therapy for mild-to-moderate psoriasis.

"We believe the dermatology community will welcome Advitech's oral product for mild-to-moderate psoriasis and patients will benefit too from this oral product," Jeff O'Donnell, president and chief executive officer of PhotoMedex, said in the release.

PhotoMedex said it recently acquired Procyte Corp., a company that develops and markets therapeutic and daily-use skincare and procedure-based products to dermatologists.

Physicians PhotoMedex skincare products to improve healing following aesthetic procedures such as laser resurfacing, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion and for daily use to promote healthy skin and reduce hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, officials said. The company sells Excimer lasers and products for skin health through its own sales force directly to dermatologists, plastic and cosmetic surgeons, spas and salons and through licenses with strategic partners, according to the release.

PhotoMedex, based in Montgomeryville, Pa., develops, manufactures and markets medical laser products and services. As a result of the merger with ProCyte, PhotoMedex also now develops and markets products based on its patented, clinically proven Copper Peptide technology for skin health, hair care and wound care.

Advitech is a Quebec-based biotechnology company specializing in the development of clinically tested bioactive ingredients for chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

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