EAGAN, Minn., Feb. 1, 2005 — Charles E. Crutchfield III, M.D., Director of CutiCeuticals, Inc. received a U.S. patent (6,579,512) for "CutiCort Spray," a 0.05% clobetasol-containing aerosol spray for the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
"I've had psoriasis since I was 13 years old and I am now 64; that's over 50 years. In my life I've visited so many dermatologists and tried so many treatments (ultraviolet lights and steroids, etc.), but this is the first time I've ever been clear. It has been 50 years since I've seen my elbows [crying]," said Mary P. of St. Paul.
Dr. Crutchfield commented, "This is the same story we hear over and over. It is so effective that one of the dermatologists who saw its results firsthand commented that it 'works like a class zero steroid.' This has also enabled us to start gaining additional insights into the molecular basis of psoriasis. We are using the results to study events in human psoriasis, namely the key players in the inflammatory signaling pathways."
"The aerosol spray is tremendously effective. It runs circles around all other 0.05% clobetasol-containing compounds (lotions, creams, ointments and foams) currently on the market with respect to effectiveness," continued Dr. Crutchfield. "We have met with the F.D.A. and a few additional evaluations will need to be done with satisfaction before it can be brought to market. So far, in the use in over 2000 patients the results are impressive, to say the least, and we have had no significant adverse reactions – it appears to be very safe. Most patients with limited plaques (knees and elbows) clear in 7-21 days."
"We modeled our 'CutiCort' spray after the old 'Kenalog' spray and the infamous 'Skin-Cap' spray. Neither of the manufacturers was willing to divulge their formulae, so we just kept refining our own version over 2 years until it worked in a manner that was truly amazing. There is no magic to the formula, just oil and alcohol with a standard propellant. The proportions of components that we have assembled seem to produce the most effective vehicle ever used with a corticosteroid. The before and after pictures [see below] speak for themselves. Many were taken 3 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Patient response has been unbelievably positive."
Dr. Crutchfield has a strong interest in psoriasis treatments and research. He is Board Certified with the American Board of Dermatology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dr. Crutchfield is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He is the Medical Director of Crutchfield Dermatology in Eagan (http://www.CrutchfieldDermatology.com) and CutiCeuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Crutchfield Dermatology.
Contact:
Kristin Peyerl
651-209-3640
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