Galderma ties up dermatitis drug deal

Galderma, the pharmaceutical company specialising in dermatological products, has announced it has signed a deal with SkinMedica to co-promote Desonate, a treatment for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis.

The desonide molecule has been used for the last three decades and Desonate is the aqueous gel form of the drug, targeted at children patients.

Under the terms of the agreement, Galderma will distribute Desonate with its sales force, which is “highly specialised” in paediatrics. In the US, Desonate is approved for use in children with atopic dermatitis, or eczema.

Albert Draaijer, president of Galderma’s US arm, remarked: “This is an exciting addition to the portfolio of products in our pediatric division.”

“It incorporates what we like to call ‘Smart Science’ in that it has the best of both worlds for the patient; an excellent cosmetically-elegant vehicle, plus the proven safety and efficacy of the desonide molecule,” he added.

Galderma was created in 1981 as part of a joint venture between L’Oreal and Nestle, intended to further research and develop drugs skin disorders, including psoriasis, rosacea, fungal nail infections and non-melanoma skin cancer.