Technology
Cosmederm Bioscience has a family of patented anti-itch, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant compounds that have been developed for dermatological applications and are being investigated for use in other areas including gastrointestinal disease, respiratory disease and conditions affecting the mucous membranes. The efficacy of our technology has been proven in well-controlled human clinical trials, published in peer-reviewed medical journals and textbooks. These clinical trials demonstrate that our compounds, when topically-applied, can selectively suppress the symptoms of sensory irritation (stinging, burning and itching) without affecting other cutaneous sensations. Of particular relevance to the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses, these studies demonstrate suppression of itch and inflammation caused by a variety of chemical irritants, including histamine, as well as itch triggered by an IgE-mediated allergic response (Type I hypersensitivity) which contributes to the pathogenesis and itching of atopic dermatitis and other itch-associated conditions.
The technology has a number of valuable applications in the area of high potency cosmeceuticals, topical OTC drugs and Rx drugs.
- It has significant potency on its own as an anti-itch agent,
- It is a powerful inhibitor of neurogenic inflammation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and neuropeptides such as IL-1α and IL-6
- When combined with other topical products, it can act to significantly reduce irritation from the active ingredients of those products. The technology inhibits, if not eliminates nociceptive pain and inflammation and the feelings of stinging, burning and itching in the skin that can be caused by a number of chemical or environmental irritants.
Cosmederm was founded by Dr. Gary S. Hahn M.D. Based on his pioneering work in the field of immunology and allergy, Dr. Hahn sought to discover compounds that would eliminate unwanted reactions in the skin and mucous membranes that occurred as a result of disease or external irritants. Through his research, he discovered Cosmederm-7 and its derivative compounds. These proprietary platform technologies form the basis of our existing products and our drug candidates. While the compounds have therapeutic activity on their own, they also can dramatically increase the benefit of other OTC and Rx products when used in the formulations.
COSMEDERM-7™ and Related Derivative Compounds
COSMEDERM-7 is a naturally occurring element that is mined from the ground and has powerful anti-itch, anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The compound’s original commercial use was to reduce or eliminate the skin irritation that often accompanies highly potent skin care products. Our goal was to create highly potent products that were safe and comfortable for the consumer. This resulted in our REFINITY Skin Solutions chemical peel and take home products. It was discovered that adding Cosmederm-7 to a 70% (pH 0.6) chemical peel would yield a 79% reduction in sensory irritation (burning, stinging, itching). This results in a more comfortable and tolerable peel experience that a customer can undergo on the first day of treatment without any typical “step-up” process. While Cosmederm-7 takes away the burning and irritation, it does NOT inhibit the efficacy of the peel. What the patient gets is a better treatment with quicker results and less pain. Our REFINITY take home products incorporate this same philosophy; strong products with no irritation. The take home line consists of anti-aging products that deliver 15% Alpha-Hydroxy Acids at a pH of 3.2. Other products that attempt to duplicate our potency are either excessively irritating, or raise the pH levels, thereby delivering less free acid and less anti-aging efficacy. REFINITY products are available from your physician.
Our Cosmederm Skin Science line is sold through spas and aestheticians and will soon be available through our on-line store. Cosmederm Skin Science delivers highly potent anti-aging products with little to no irritation.
By the same mechanism that Cosmederm-7 blocks stinging and burning from chemical peels, it also acts as a very potent topical anti-itch agent. Cosmederm-7 binds to a select group of nerve receptors in the skin called C-nociceptors. These nerve cells are responsible for transmitting the sensations of itching, burning or stinging to the brain. By binding to these nerve cells, Cosmederm-7 inhibits the transmission of these sensations. Our TriCalm anti-itch product utilizes this technology to deliver the fastest and most potent anti-itch relief of any available OTC product. Because of its unique mechanism of action, it is also equally effective at reducing stinging or burning pain including sunburn. You can purchase TriCalm soon through our on-line store and will be launched in select retail outlets and drug stores in 2011.