Almirall launches Solaraze® in Spain for the treatment of actinic keratosis

• One out of every six people during their lives will develop an actinic keratosis that may be the first stage of skin cancer [1]
• Solaraze® emerges as treatment for its proven efficacy and good tolerability profile.  It is preceded by its success in several countries including Germany and the United Kingdom 

Barcelona, 5 December 2011.- Almirall is launching Solaraze® in Spain to treat actinic keratosis, a lesion that may be the first stage in the development of skin cancer.  It is estimated that one out of every six people at some point in their lives will develop an actinic keratosis. The elderly are more likely to develop actinic keratoses than the young, as cumulative sun exposure increases with age¹.

Solaraze® emerges as treatment for multiple lesions and field cancerisation of actinic keratosis due to its proven efficacy and good tolerability profile.

Solaraze® consolidates Almirall's business strategy in its dermatology area where the company is the first leading prescription pharmaceutical company in Germany and the eighth in Europe. In fact, Almirall has already made Solaraze® available to doctors and patients in countries including Germany and the United Kingdom, where it is receiving an excellent reception.

Two of Almirall's key R&D areas, dermatology and respiratory, along with its gastrointestinal area, contain synergies due to their auto-immune origins; an illustration of the company's commitment to innovation.

Solaraze®

Solaraze® (diclofenac sodium combined with hyaluronic acid) is a special gel formulation containing 3% diclofenac sodium and hyaluronic acid as a delivery vehicle. It has a multiple mechanism of action that stimulates the skin's defence system to destroy damaged cells and encourage healthy cells to replace them.

Due to its proven clinical efficacy, its good safety and tolerability profile and its ease of application (directly on the skin twice a day for 90 days) Solaraze® is conducive to patient treatment compliance.

Actinic keratosis

Actinic keratosis may be the first stage in the development of skin cancer and is therefore considered a precancerous condition.

Also known as solar keratosis, it appears as a small scaly or rough bump on the skin's surface. The base may be clear or dark; brown, pinkish or red, a combination of all of them, or the same colour as the skin.  The scale or crust is hard, dry and rough and can be detected more easily by touch than sight, with a feeling of coarseness. Sometimes there is a prickling or more tender sensation.

Actinic keratosis takes years to develop and usually appears on the face, ears or scalp, the neck and back of hands and forearms and on the lips. It is flat on the scalp and neck and slightly raised on the arms and hands. Quite often the person has more than one actinic keratosis lesion. The lesions are not usually life-threatening if they are detected and treated in the early stages.

Sun exposure is one of the most relevant causes of actinic keratoses. Sun damage to the skin is cumulative so even the shortest exposure is added to total sun exposure in life since childhood. 

About Almirall

Almirall is an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, it researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people's health and wellbeing.   

Almirall focuses its research resources on therapeutic areas related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), gastrointestinal disorders, psoriasis and other dermatological conditions.

Almirall's products are currently present in over 70 countries while it has direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 12 affiliates.

For further information please visit the website at: www.almirall.com

More information: Ketchum Pleon Sonia San Segundo Mármol  sonia.sansegundo@ketchumpleon.com Tel.: 00 34 91 788 32 00