DUSA Unveils Ergonomic Enhancements to BLU-U(R) at the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting

WILMINGTON, Mass., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.^® (NASDAQ GM: DUSA), a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, will unveil an ergonomically enhanced BLU-U^® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator at this year's American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting in Miami, Florida, March 5-9. BLU-U, in conjunction with the Levulan^® Kerastick^® topical treatment, is an integral part of the Levulan^® Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) technology platform.

Maintaining efficacy and improving ease of use among providers were paramount to the inception of the enhancements to the BLU-U, which include:

• Height adjustment using a new rotary design that allows for easier operation  
• Larger casters and a post handle for easier mobility
• A pivoting post for compact, small footprint storage and easy movement within the treatment facility

"The mechanical improvements to the BLU-U were specifically designed with practitioners in mind, while still providing them with a highly uniform, efficient, and economic blue light source to treat patients," stated BLU-U co-inventor, Scott Lundahl, DUSA's Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs and Intellectual Property.

The patented BLU-U design utilizes microprocessor feedback control to automatically deliver a consistent, uniform blue light dose to a large treatment area such as the entire face or scalp. In combination with Levulan Kerastick, it is indicated for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp.  Alone, the BLU-U is specifically cleared for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne.

About Levulan^® PDT and the BLU-U^®

Levulan^® Kerastick^® for Topical Solution plus blue light illumination using the BLU-U blue light photodynamic therapy illuminator is indicated for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp. AKs are the most frequently diagnosed skin disease by U.S. dermatologists with over 5M treatment visits per year. DUSA is also in clinical development of its Levulan PDT technology platform for the broad-area treatment of AKs and the prevention of new non-melanoma skin cancer in chronically immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients.

DUSA's patented BLU-U^® Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator offers effective, non-invasive and pain-free light treatment for moderate inflammatory acne.  Narrow band blue light causes a photodynamic effect within the pilosebaceous gland that kills P. acnes, the bacteria primarily responsible for acne.  BLU-U treatments can be a primary treatment, an alternative to pharmaceuticals and topicals, or an addition to skin care programs.  In September 2003, DUSA received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the BLU-U without Levulan^® PDT for the treatment of moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris and general dermatologic conditions.

About Actinic Keratoses

Actinic keratoses are rough-textured, dry, scaly patches on the skin caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight. They occur most frequently on sun exposed areas such as the face, scalp, ears, neck, hands and arms. They form on the outermost layer of skin and they can range in color from skin toned to reddish brown. They can also range in size from as small as a pinhead to larger than a quarter.

About Acne

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder in the U.S., affecting 40 to 50 million Americans. There are many types of acne, the most common of which is called acne vulgaris. Just beneath the surface of the skin lie hundreds of tiny glands called sebaceous glands. Their function is to collect and excrete the oily substance called sebum, to keep the skin healthy. However, the tiny pathway for the sebum to escape often becomes clogged and a bacterium called P. acnes grows inside. In a short time, the area swells up and forms a lesion on the skin. At certain times of life, this process becomes very active, troublesome and hard to control.

About DUSA Pharmaceuticals

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an integrated dermatology pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development and marketing of its Levulan^® photodynamic therapy (PDT) technology platform, and other dermatology products. Levulan^® PDT is currently approved for the treatment of Grade 1 and 2 actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face or scalp. DUSA is researching the use of Levulan^® PDT to prevent AKs and squamous cell carcinomas in immunosuppressed solid organ transplant recipients and is supporting research related to oral leukoplakia in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). DUSA also markets other dermatology products, including ClindaReach^®. DUSA is based in Wilmington, Mass.  Please visit our website at www.dusapharma.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, this news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risk and uncertainties.  These forward-looking statements relate to the introduction an enhanced BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator.  These statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those in the forward-looking statements made in this release.  These factors include, without limitation, actions by health regulatory authorities, changing market and regulatory conditions, the maintenance of our patent portfolio, dependence on third-party vendors and manufacturers, and other risks and uncertainties identified in DUSA's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

SOURCE DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.