Allergan cites eyelash-drug fast dramatic effects

The chief executive of Allergan Inc said Wednesday its experimental drug to promote eyelash growth could be a big seller for women as young as 18 due to “dramatic” results seen for most patients tested in clinical trials.

“In 80 percent of patients the before and after (results) were just dramatic—lengthening, darkening and thickening” of lashes, David Pyott said in an interview.

Pyott said noticeable results were seen as soon as three weeks for many patients given the medicine, a formulation of the drugmaker’s widely used Lumigan treatment for glaucoma. The product, if approved, would be applied like mascara to the eyelids.

Pyott predicted many dermatologists who now administer the company’s blockbuster Botox anti-wrinkle drug would recommend the eyelash drug to their patients, and said Allergan’s sales force will simultaneously promote both products.

He said women ages 18-60 would be the biggest potential market for the eyelash medicine, a far wider age group than Botox, whose patients typically are in their 30’s.

NEW YORK (Reuters)