Biofrontera and Almirall Launch Social Media Campaign for Actinic Keratosis
The campaign provides information about early signs of the condition along with treatment information.
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Often, people living with medical conditions will join online communities in order to share their personal knowledge and experience with living with the symptoms. Many of the communities exist on social media networks, making these sites a good source for connecting with patient communities.
Biofrontera is a biopharmaceutical company developing a photodynamic therapy (PDT) for actinic keratosis (AK), a condition that causes rough, scaly patches on the skin. This is the result of years of sun exposure, and as a result, often manifests in the most visible areas of skin on the body. This includes the face, neck, ears, forearms, and the back of the hands. As a result, people living with the condition are faced with both physical and social discomfort.
Biofrontera announced a partnership with global pharmaceutical company Almirall to launch a social media-based initiative named the Hats on Challenge. This campaign promotes awareness for AK and is aimed both at the online patient communities that have formed for this condition and general users.
In a press release, The Skin Cancer Foundation president Deborah S. Sarnoff, MD, said, “Actinic keratosis is a common precancerous skin condition that results from chronic sun exposure and can potentially lead to skin cancer if left untreated. It’s estimated that 58 million Americans have one or more AKs. We are grateful to Almirall and Biofrontera for their support of our efforts to educate the public about the prevention, warning signs, and treatment options of this condition.”
The Hats on Challenge promotes the importance of skin protection while also educating users on the early signs of AK. For people already living with AK, it also provides information about treatments and the importance of receiving timely treatments. The name comes from the concept of making sure the wear a hat on sunny days to protect the face from too much exposure to the sun.
Biofrontera is developing treatments for AK, including Ameluz, a topical gel to be used on the extremities, neck, and trunk. In March of this year, the company announced the first Phase 3 study for the use of Ameluz and PDT on these areas as well. According to Biofrontera, this phase is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2025.
Patients enrolled in the study will receive an initial treatment that will be followed up by a second treatment at the 12 week mark if any AK lesions remain. The study will monitor these patients for at least one year after the final treatment and includes 172 patients.
In a press release, Biofrontera Inc. chairman and CEO Dr. Hermann Luebbert said, “We are thrilled to reach this pivotal stage in our clinical program. The successful enrollment of our last patient brings us one step closer to potentially offering an effective treatment option for patients with actinic keratoses on the extremities, neck, and trunk. It marks a significant step in expanding the indications for Ameluz® and further demonstrates our commitment to the development of PDT.”
Enrollment for the study completed in March and the treatment phase is expected to conclude by September of this year. The follow-up phase will continue into 2026.
Sources
Biofrontera and Almirall Launch the Hats On Challenge to Raise Awareness and Support for Actinic Keratosis. Biofrontera Inc. May 1, 2025. Accessed May 6, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/01/3072738/0/en/Biofrontera-and-Almirall-Launch-the-Hats-On-Challenge-to-Raise-Awareness-and-Support-for-Actinic-Keratosis.html
Biofrontera Inc. Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in Phase 3 Study of Ameluz® (aminolevulinic acid HCI) Topical Gel, 10% for the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses on the Extremities, Neck and Trunk. Biofrontera Inc. March 18, 2025. Accessed May 6, 2025. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/18/3044648/0/en/Biofrontera-Inc-Announces-Completion-of-Patient-Enrollment-in-Phase-3-Study-of-Ameluz-aminolevulinic-acid-HCI-Topical-Gel-10-for-the-Treatment-of-Actinic-Keratoses-on-the-Extremiti.html
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