Protein synthesis inhibitors for the treatment of Acne and Rosacea

 

Macrolides are generally well tolerated, and for this reason are also widely used to treat infections in children. Macrolides also possess beneficial side effects such as immuno-modulatory activity, which may contribute to their therapeutic success.

 

BAL19403 was selected as the first clinical candidate from Basilea research that advanced into preclinical development as a potential topical treatment for acne and rosacea. It belongs to a new class of antibacterial macrolides with excellent activity against antibiotic-resistant propionibacterium acnes and potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Both, Acne and Rosacea are common inflammatory diseases of the skin.

 

Acne vulgaris is a multi-factorial disorder of the sebaceous (grease-producing) glands frequently occurring in adolescence and young adulthood. Besides follicular plugging and increased sebum production, acne results from proliferation of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, which colonizes the hair follicles, induces secretion of inflammatory factors and thereby worsens the initial disease.

 

Rosacea occurs predominantly in middle-aged patients and is largely of unknown etiology. Rosacea is characterized by pustular lesions on the face and a strong inflammatory response that sometimes leads to a characteristically enlarged nose (rhinophyma).