Allergan and Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that two Phase 3 trials of sarecycline for the treatment of moderate to severe acne met their 12 week primary efficacy endpoints. Sarecycline is a once-daily, oral, narrow spectrum tetracycline-derived antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties for the potential treatment of moderate to severe acne in the community setting. Based on these data, Allergan plans to file a New Drug Application (NDA) to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of this year.

"The positive efficacy results observed in the pivotal phase 3 clinical trials indicate that sarecycline can be an effective treatment option for patients with moderate to severe acne." said David Nicholson, Chief Global Research & Development Officer at Allergan. "We look forward to submitting a new drug application for sarecycline and bringing to market a potential new option for physicians treating patients with acne."

"We are pleased with the results of the sarecycline Phase 3 program and Allergan's intention to move ahead with an NDA submission for approval in the U.S. by the end of 2017," said Evan Loh, M.D., President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Paratek.  "Sarecycline is a narrow spectrum antibiotic, which we believe can offer meaningful clinical benefits for patients afflicted with acne."