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Tanning Drug Approved for Trials

Long available online, injection gets nod from regulators

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 30, 2009 1:15 PM CST
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(Newser) – A self-tanning drug long available in various incarnations over the Internet has been approved for human trials in the US, Wired reports. “It's a bioabsorbable implant that you just inject into the skin,” says a pharma rep of afamelanotide. “It stimulates melanin production.” The drug made by Clinuvel is being tested for treatment of diseases, not cosmetic purposes, but it could be a big seller in the tanning industry if approved.

“I oppose systemic treatment for cosmetics,” said the company's CEO. Melanotan, the black-market version whose safety is a concern to regulators, emerged in the ‘80s as a tanning method because it can turn pasty skin bronze for weeks. The widespread use of the drug’s unapproved form could challenge Clinuvel, because regulators are loathe to approve a drug already popular for “off-label” treatments.


A sun-lover in Nevada.
A sun-lover in Nevada.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Before and after pictures from the form of the drug available online.
Before and after pictures from the form of the drug available online.   (Melanocorp)
Before and after pictures from the form of the drug available online.
Before and after pictures from the form of the drug available online.   (Melanocorp)
A tanning drug has been approved for trials.
A tanning drug has been approved for trials.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
melanotan - afamelanotide
May 28, 2010 2:50 AM CDT
There's a big update relative to this story: melanotan-1 (afamelanotide / Scenesse) is now available for EPP sufferers in Italy. The drug helps reduce the photosensitivity impact of the disease. This is the news: http://www.lifescientist.com.au/article/346731/clinuvel_gets_pre-approval_win_italy/ more info: http://melanotan.org/#Scenesse
Guest
Jan 30, 2009 3:32 AM CST
There was a spelling error on the original article that has been now corrected. The generic name for melanotan one is actually, "afamelanotide". http://melanotan.org/
Guest
Jan 30, 2009 2:02 AM CST
So the Republicanists can now have dark skin too, and reap all the "special advantages" they claim are bestowed upon "those people"!... (And our boy Coors_king won't have to get coconut lotion all over his mullet...)

Doctors express concerns about the drug
British Medical Journal

More on melanotan
Evening Herald

 
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