InnovationRx: Tarsus Pharmaceuticals Takes Aim At Disease-Causing Bugs
What significant breakthrough did Tarsus Pharmaceuticals achieve with the FDA approval of Xdemvy?
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals achieved a significant breakthrough with the FDA approval of Xdemvy (lotilaner ophthalmic solution 0.25%) for the treatment of Demodex blepharitis. This marks the first-ever FDA-approved therapeutic for Demodex blepharitis, a common yet often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed eyelid disease caused by an infestation of Demodex mites. The approval of Xdemvy provides a new treatment option for millions of patients suffering from this disease, directly targeting the root cause and demonstrating efficacy across multiple clinical measures.
How has the market reception been for Xdemvy since its release, according to Tarsus Pharmaceuticals' CEO Bobak Azamian?
According to Tarsus Pharmaceuticals' CEO Bobak Azamian, the market reception for Xdemvy since its release has been positive1. In an interview, Azamian mentioned that the company generated $25 million in revenue in the first quarter, which represented a nearly 90% increase from the fourth quarter4. This figure corresponds to getting the drug to over 26,000 people with the disease, with over 8,000 eye doctors beginning to provide the drug to patients. Azamian also mentioned that they have heard lots of anecdotal praise from patients, including from his own mother, who was afflicted with the disease.
What new treatment is Tarsus Pharmaceuticals developing to combat Lyme disease, and how does it work?
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is developing an oral pill called TP-05 as a potential preventive treatment for Lyme disease. The pill contains lotilaner, an anti-parasitic agent that selectively inhibits parasite-specific GABA-Cl channels. TP-05 is designed to kill ticks that transmit Lyme disease, providing a prophylactic solution. In a Phase 2a clinical trial, the pill demonstrated tolerability and statistically significant tick mortality, with both low and high doses killing around 90% of ticks within 24 hours of attachment. The effects of the pill are said to last for up to 30 days after a single dose.