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Sanofi Pasteur has partnered with the University of California School of Medicine in San Diego (UC San Diego) to research and develop an investigational vaccine to control acne. Sanofi Pasteur is the vaccines division of the pharmaceutical giant Sanofi.
"This opportunity could provide an immunotherapeutic product with significant benefits and a novel mechanism of action to address an unmet medical need," said Sanofi Research & Development chief Elias Zerhouni. "This investigational vaccine and treatment may lead to a better solution for the many who suffer from this skin disease."
The pre-clinical form of the acne vaccine was developed by UC San Diego researchers. It takes an immunological approach to acne treatment by targeting and neutralizing a type of bacteria called propionibacterium, or bacterium P. acnes. Propionibacterium are a slow-growing bacteria normally found on the skin and in the intestinal tract.
Bacterium P. acnes are usually considered harmless, but have been implicated in acne and other inflammatory skin conditions. They live on the fatty acids found in sebum, an oily, waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands (microscopic glands in the skin, usually attached to hair follicles). When a gland becomes blocked, the bacteria overgrow and form an inflamed acne lesion.
Propionibacterium can be killed by benzyl peroxide, some anti-bacterial preparations, and oral and topical antibiotics. The problem is that current acne treatments indiscriminately kill many bacterial species, disrupting the normal balance of the skin microscopic organisms. Also, there is growing concern that long-term use of antibiotics to treat acne can lead to resistant strains of the bacteria.
Acne is an extremely common skin disease, afflicting 80 to 90 percent of adolescents. The disease sometimes continues past the teenage years, with eight percent of 25 to 34-year olds and three percent of 35 to 44-year-olds continuing to suffer from the disease.
The group most likely to experience and seek treatment for acne is five to 17-year olds. Moderate to severe acne can result in psychological, physical and social issues including low self esteem, social isolation, depression, and even suicide.
The best acne medication on the market today for persistent moderate to severe acne is prescription isotretinoin, best know by the brand name Accutane. Isotretinoin is a potent medication which should only be taken under a doctor's supervision. It is a retinoid (derived from vitamin A) that works by dramatically reducing the size of the skin's oil-producing glands, greatly reducing oil production. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
The acne "market" is an estimated 50 million Americans, and the world market for acne medication is over $3 billion annually. Under the new agreement, UC San Diego will continue its research and development for two years, and Sanofi Pasteur will hold the exclusive worldwide license to the future acne vaccine and treatment.
A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur offers a broad range of vaccines, protecting over 500 million people across the globe against 20 infectious diseases.
The online Canadian pharmacy BigMountainDrugs.com is committed to providing safe, reliable and inexpensive medications to its customers. Big Mountain Drugs offers savings on a number of popular acne medications, including Accutane, generic isotretinoin and Retin A. You must have a valid doctor's prescription and a completed iPLEDGE Program form to buy Accutane from Canada.
