Foamix Granted Comprehensive US Patent for PerFoam® – Ideal Foam Treatment for Head Lice and Scabies

Foamix Ltd., a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company, that is developing proprietary dermatological and gynecologic topical foam products, today announced that the company has been granted a new patent from United States Patent Office.

Rehovot, Israel, March 15, 2012 --(PR.com)-- US Patent No. 8,119,150, entitled “Non-flammable insecticide composition and uses thereof” relates to Foamix’s novel safe and effective insecticide compositions, suitable for treating insect infestations.

Foamix’s Permethrin 1% foam (“PerFoam® One”) was developed for the treatment of head lice. It was tested clinically in 56 children, infested with head lice; and demonstrated a 96% efficacy rate, with no side effects. From the usability point of view, PerFoam® One is superior. It is easy to apply, allows precise application without spreading on clothes or other parts of the body, and no protection of the eyes is required.

PerFoam® Five, Foamix’s Permethrin 5% foam is directed for the treatment of scabies. While anti-scabies creams require extensive rubbing throughout the whole body surface, foam makes treatment easy. The Foamix foam spreads readily on large skin areas and absorbs quickly.

This invention further relates to a variety of insecticide compounds that can be incorporated in foam to create best-in-class medications for parasite therapy.

"The grant of our PerFoam® patent in the US broadens our intellectual property portfolio," said Dr. Dov Tamarkin, CEO of Foamix. “We will now be able to imply our superior foam platforms and technologies into a patent protected product for treating head lice and scabies."

About Head Lice
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2010) reports an estimated 6 million to 12 million infestations occur each year in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age. Girls are at greater risk because they have more frequent head-to-head contact. Head lice affect people across the socioeconomic spectrum.

About “PerFoam® One”
Foamix’s PerFoam® One, comprised of 1% Permethrin and two proprietary enhancers, is an alcohol-free, non-irritating, drip-free foam for the treatment of head lice. A clinical study entitled “An open study to assess the efficacy, safety and usability of a 1% Permethrin Foam, in the treatment of head lice (pediculosis capitis) in pediatric patients” was conducted at the Laniado Medical Center, Israel. Fifty-six children, aged 3-16, infested with head lice, were treated with PerFoam® One. The foam was applied to the hair for 10 minutes and then washed. Treatment was repeated 10 days later. PerFoam® One proved effective in killing the lice on the first application in 54 of the 56 children (96.4%). Furthermore, in 60% of the children, lice eggs were completely eradicated after the first application. The product was easily applied and caused no discomfort to the treated children. There was no evidence of eye or skin irritation.

About Scabies
Scabies is one of the three most common skin disorders in children.1 The mites are distributed around the world and equally infect all ages, races, and socioeconomic classes in different climates. Over 300 million people are affected by scabies worldwide, with millions of infections in the U.S. alone.2 People of all ages, genders, races, and social classes get scabies; and they easily spread within families, to sexual partners, and among people living in crowded conditions.

A number of medications is effective in treating scabies; however treatment must often involve the entire household or community to prevent re-infection.

Permethrin is the most effective treatment for scabies, and the treatment of choice. It is applied from the neck down usually before bedtime and left on for about 8 to 14 hours. Foam is an ideal carrier for scabies medications, as it spreads easily on large skin areas and absorbs quickly.

*1 Pediatr Clin North Am. 2009 Dec;56(6):1421-40.
*2 Lancet. 2000;355:819–826.

About “PerFoam® Five”
Foamix’s PerFoam® Five is an emollient formulation of Permethrin, ideal for the treatment of scabies and severe cased of pediculosis. It spreads easily on large skin areas and absorbs immediately upon application, and thus is expected to provide significant advantage to patients, in comparison to the traditional creams which require extensive rubbing in order to attain adequate spreading and absorption.

About Foamix
Foamix Ltd. is a clinical-stage, privately held specialty pharmaceutical company, focused on the development of proprietary topical foams and OilGel™ products for dermatology, gynecology, wounds and burn applications, as well as ophthalmic disorders. Foamix collaborates with leading pharmaceutical companies in the creation of advanced products with improved convenience, higher compliance and better efficacy, which are backed by an extensive patent portfolio.

The Company’s development capabilities range from initial development of the formulations and analytical methods to scale-up, GMP manufacturing, preclinical and clinical studies.

Foamix has a strong in-house pipeline. The Company’s lead product, Topical Minocycline, is currently in Phase II clinical studies.

To date, Foamix has 13 issued patents in the United States, covering its foam and OilGel™ technology platforms. Additionally, the company has more than 140 patents and patent applications worldwide, of which about 60 applications are filed in the U.S.

For additional information please see www.foamix.co.il

Contact:
Dorit Hayon, Business Development Manager, Foamix Ltd., dorit@foamix.co.il
Dov Tamarkin, CEO, Foamix Ltd., dov@foamix.co.il.
Contact
Foamix Ltd
Dorit Hayon
97289316233
www.foamix.co.il
Dov Tamarkin, CEO, Foamix Ltd, +972-8-9316233 or dov@foamix.co.il.
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