Medicis poised to launch Vanos for tx of plaque psoriasis

Medicis has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the company's new drug application for Vanos, a Class 1 corticosteroid for treatment of plaque psoriasis.

The company plans to launch Vanos to dermatologists in the second quarter of 2005.

Vanos provides physicians and patients with the established safety of fluocinonide and the potency of a Class 1 topical corticosteroid, the company says.

Vanos will be available by prescription in 30-gram and 60-gram size. The most common adverse effects associated with its use are headache and burning at the application site.

"The introduction of Vanos is another example of our sophisticated research and development pipeline and our commitment to introducing at least one new product each year," says Jonah Shacknai, Medicis chairman and CEO.

Visit Medicis at booth 1529.