Allergan’s Botox May Have a Cheaper Rival in Reloxin

For nearly two decades Allergan Inc., the Irvine drug maker, has had a monopoly on the anti-wrinkle market through its billion-dollar flagship Botox.

That could be about to change.

Scottsdale-based Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. submitted an application to the Food and Drug Administration to sell Reloxin, a potential Botox rival, for cosmetic use, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Providing no regulatory snags, Reloxin could be available in dermatologists’ offices a year from now, the newspaper reported.

The article noted that while Botox and Reloxin are not identical, doctors who have tested the drugs said that similarities far outweigh small differences. Competition between the two could largely be waged on price, consumer marketing and customer loyalty.

Reloxin could be cheaper than Botox, which costs around $500 per visit, although many offices run specials. Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Bye predicted the arrival of Reloxin could slow or end Allergan’s annual price increases for Botox, which have annoyed some doctors.

“Many dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons are excited about the possibilities for a lower-priced form of botulinum toxin,” Joel Schlessinger, an Omaha, Neb.-based dermatologist who participated in Reloxin studies, told the Wall Street Journal.

Allergan generally downplays any potential competition, pointing out that Botox’s longevity and safety record will see it through.

The two faced off in 2006 in a bidding war for Inamed Corp. that Allergan eventually won.

Avanir Updates Drug’s Progress

Avanir Pharmaceuticals Inc., an Aliso Viejo-based drug maker, said earlier this month that it was on track with clinical programs for Zenvia, its lead drug candidate.

Avanir said it is working on a study protocol to see if Zenvia can treat involuntary emotional expression disorder, which is marked by uncontrollable laughing or crying. Avanir presented the work to the Food and Drug Administration to address issues raised by regulators in an October 2006 letter.

Avanir also said it enrolled its first patient in a third-phase trial for Zenvia and expects to complete enrollment in 15 months to 18 months and report results in the second half of 2009.

In May, another clinical study showed Zenvia significantly lessened nerve pain in diabetics.

To focus resources on Zenvia, Avanir sold and licensed non-core assets to restructure its operations, said Keith Katkin, the company’s chief executive, in a release. That included selling FazaClo, a schizophrenia drug, to Azur Pharma Inc. for $42 million.

UCI Scientist Gets $2M

Andrew Putnam, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, chemical engineering and materials science at the University of California, Irvine, received $2.1 million from the state of California. The money is going to support Putnam’s study of the effect of embryonic stem cells on heart diseases.

Putnam is one of 22 scientists statewide who received a faculty award from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, which is the state agency that distributes funds for stem cell research. The institute was created in 2004, when California voters approved Proposition 71.

Putnam is going to look at how embryonic stem cells can become cells that make up capillary blood vessels, which supply blood to tissue damaged by heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems. Adult stem cells have been shown to help stimulate capillary growth, but scientists don’t know the potential of embryonic stem cells.

Putnam, in a statement, said that his work could lead to a stem cell-based therapy for any disease characterized by poor blood flow.

Bits and Pieces:

Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. of Tustin said it launched AquilionOne, an advanced computer system that shows a three-dimensional image of an organ and maps its blood flow and function. Toshiba said AquilionOne is able to help reduce the diagnosis time for diseases such as stroke and heart disease Patient Care Technology Systems, a Mission Viejo-based subsidiary of Consulier Engineering Inc., said a second-generation version of its Amelior emergency room software, used to track patients, staff and equipment, was now available Stephen Jones, chief executive of Snyder Langston, is board chairman at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach. Jones replaces Richard Ortwein, who is remaining on the board as a member. Jones has been on Hoag’s board since 2001, when he joined its facilities design and construction committee to help facilitate a capital improvement campaign.