About Us RSC Publishing Members Education Policy Library Chemsoc Conferences News Chemistry World A DRUG FOR LONGER LASHES?2008 US drugmaker Allergan, the California-basedpany that makes antiwrinkle treatment Botox, has developed a new cosmetic drug that makes eyelashes grow longer, thicker and darker.June thepany announced it would file for US Food and Drug Administration approval for the drug before the end of September - confirming speculation it would make an eyelash-boosting drug based on bimatoprost, the active ingredient its glaa drug Lumigan.Growth is one of themonest side-effects of Lumigan, which in 2001 was approved in the US as a glaa treatment to reduce pressure inside the eye in the US.Cosmetic effects were discovered in a similar way, when doctors giving the injection to relieve muscle spasms and treat crossed eyes noticed that wrinkles around the eyes were also reduced.Now reformulated bimatoprost to be applied directly to the base of the eyelashes - and recentlypleted clinical trials have confirmed produces significant eyelash growth, Allergan says.Taken as a glaa formulation, the drugs side effects include eye redness and darkening of the eyelid and eye colour due to increased pigmentation.Darkened eye colour is likely to be permanent.Toment on the incidence of side effects triggered by the eyelash formulation during clinical trials.It has been in discussions with the FDA over the drug throughout its development, and expects the regulator's decision on the drug's approval in 2009.Says it is also assessing demand for the product outside the US, and plans to seek approvals accordingly.A synthetic member of the prostaglandin family, a group of signalling molecules produced naturally by the body and all based on a five-membered ring bearing two side chains.Claims it holds patents in the US and abroad that give it exclusive rights to make prostaglandin-based eyelash treatments, and in November 2007 sued severalpanies it claimed were infringing its patent.That month, the FDA sent US marshals to seize 12,862 tubes of Age Intervention Eyelash, a product sold by California-based Jan Marini Skin Research that was found to contain bimatoprost.It will make about $1.(Ј0.From sales of Botox during 2008, and predicts sales of its eyelash drug could exceed $500 million in annual sales, based on the estimate that the global mascara market is worth $3.Each year.Allergan announcement, New York-based Goldman Sachs analyst James Kelly concluded that FDA approval was likely for the drug even though it will be marketed as a cosmetic.Are less concerned about FDA conservatism, given the history of the product in the eye,' he said.Forecast the product would launch in 2009, with sales peaking at $500 million.Read more Best practice database: complimentary excerpt of scientific publications strategy study
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