Clinical Trial Offers New Hope for Moderate to Severe Psoriasis Sufferers

MONTGOMERYVILLE, Pa., March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- PhotoMedex, Inc. (Nasdaq: PHMD) announced today the implications of the preliminary findings of a current clinical trial being performed by John Y.M. Koo, M.D., professor and vice chairman, department of dermatology, University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Koo's experimental treatment protocol could change the lives of millions of people suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis. The study, which utilizes the XTRAC® Velocity 700 laser from PhotoMedex in combination with clobetasol spray (Clobex®) and calcitriol (Vectical®), is showing new signs of hope for patients. The results to date were presented by Dr. Koo during the 20th Annual Meeting of the Photomedicine Society.  

"The dramatic results we are seeing during this trial were possible because of the power and accuracy of the XTRAC Velocity 700, the only excimer laser that can deliver the reliability needed for this treatment," said Dr. Koo. "The XTRAC laser provides incredible results for patients suffering from psoriasis and as shown through our clinical data, when combined with the clobetasol spray and calcitriol, it can help clear psoriasis for patients who never thought it would be feasible."

While the study plans to enroll a total of 30 patients, preliminary results were presented for the first patients recruited — seven patients completed six weeks of treatments and four completed 12 weeks of treatments. Of the seven patients who completed six weeks of the treatments, six of them experienced 75 percent clearing of their moderate to severe psoriasis. The four patients who completed 12 weeks of treatments all achieved 75 percent clearing.

"The XTRAC laser therapy offers relief, both physically and emotionally, to patients with mild, moderate, and now even severe psoriasis," said Dennis McGrath, CEO of PhotoMedex. "The ability to clear a patient's psoriasis -- in some instances as much as 100 percent with long remission periods -- offers patients a new way of life without the use of harmful drugs such as biologics or the inconvenient daily regimen of topical creams, which many patients find inconvenient and often ineffective over time."

The XTRAC laser is the only excimer laser that is clinically proven, FDA-cleared and quality-certified (UL, ETL, CE, and ISO) for targeted phototherapy treatment for psoriasis and vitiligo; offering safe, effective and lasting results. The treatment offers psoriasis sufferers long-lasting relief, with remission times averaging 4-6 months and many times exceeding one year. The XTRAC laser can be used successfully on hard to treat areas such as elbows, knees, and scalp, and for patients that have wide-spread psoriasis – up to 20 percent body surface area.

For more information about the XTRAC excimer laser, visit www.XTRACLaser.com. The website features a TeleCare Center where patients can speak directly with highly experienced clinical specialists about the XTRAC laser therapy. The specialists will also assist those interested in making appointments with physicians experienced in providing XTRAC laser treatments.

Connect with XTRAC on Twitter - www.Twitter.com/XTRACPsoriasis and on

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Xtrac-Psoriasis-Vitiligo/159178087466723  

About PhotoMedex

PhotoMedex is a leader in the development, manufacturing, and global marketing of dermatology products and techniques focused on advancing cost-effective technologies that provide patients with better outcomes and a higher quality of life. The Company is uniquely positioned to research and commercialize therapies that innovatively combine both medical devices and science-based aesthetic products. Medical Devices include the XTRAC®  Excimer Laser for the treatment of skin diseases like psoriasis and vitiligo and the Omnilux™ non-laser Light Emitting Diodes (LED) for the treatment of clinical and aesthetic dermatological conditions including acne, photodamage, skin rejuvenation, and wound healing. Adding to these therapies, the Company markets a broad range of specialty skin-care products based upon its clinically proven DNA + Copper Peptide technologies for skin heath and Copper Peptide Complexes for hair and wound care, including its NEOVA®, DNA Damage Control™, Tricomin® and Graftcyte® brands. PhotoMedex sells directly to dermatologists, plastic and cosmetic surgeons, spas, salons and, through strategic partners, in the consumer market. In addition, the Company manufactures and distributes surgical lasers and disposables to hospitals and surgery centers for procedures in urology, gynecology, orthopedics and other surgical specialties. For more information please visit www.photomedex.com.

SOURCE PhotoMedex, Inc.