A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Study to Assess the Safety and Local Tolerability of DFD-03 (Tazarotene) Lotion, 0.1% Compared to Tazorac® (Tazarotene) Cream, 0.1% in the Topical Treatment of Acne Vulgaris for 12 Weeks
Phase: PHASE2
Conditions: Acne Vulgaris
Sponsor: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited

 
 
 
 
 
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CLINICAL STUDY PROTOCOL 
 
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Study to Assess the Safety and Local Tolerability of 
DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion, 0.1% compared to Tazorac® (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1% in the Topical 
Treatment of Acne Vulgaris for 12 Weeks 
 
Protocol Number: 
DFD-03-CD-008                             Version: 2.0 Amendment 01 
 
 
 
 
 
  Previous Version: 1.0 02 June 2017 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: 06 November 2017 
Phase: 
2 
 
Sponsor: 
 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd 
 
8-2-337, Road No. 3 
 
Banjara Hills 
 
 
Hyderabad – 500034, Telangana, India 
 
Sponsor’s Agent: 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. 
 
 
107 College Road East 
 
 
Princeton, NJ 08540 
 
Sponsor Contact: 
Lauren Williams 
 
Clinical Study Manager 
 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. 
 
Phone: 609-375-9678 
 
Email: lwilliams@drreddys.com 
 
Medical Monitor: 
Srinivas Sidgiddi, MD 
 
Director – Clinical Development, Dermatology 
 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. 
 
Phone: 908-458-5362 
 
Email: srinivassidgiddi@drreddys.com 
 
CRO Contact: 
Debra Dow, PharmD 
 
Vice President, Scientific Affairs 
 
Symbio, LLC 
 
21 Perry Street 
 
Port Jefferson, NY 11777 
 
Phone: 707-795-3599 
 
Email: ddow@symbioresearch.com  
 
Serious Adverse Events: 
Shahida Hasan, MD, MS 
 
Associate Director, Clinical Pharmacovigilance, NA 
 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Inc. 
 
Fax:   
908-450-1510 
 
Email:   
SAE@drreddys.com 
 
 
 
CONFIDENTIAL 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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SYNOPSIS 
Title: 
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled Study to Assess the Safety and Local 
Tolerability of DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion, 0.1% compared to Tazorac® (tazarotene) 
Cream, 0.1% in the Topical Treatment of Acne Vulgaris for 12 Weeks 
Sponsor:   
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Ltd 
 
 
8-2-337, Road No. 3 
 
 
Banjara Hills 
 
Hyderabad – 500034, Telangana, India 
Study Centers:  10 
Number of Subjects:  150 randomized 
 
Study Period: 
12 weeks 
Clinical Phase: Phase 2 
 
Objective: 
The objectives of this study are to determine the safety and local tolerability of DFD-03 
(tazarotene) Lotion 0.1% and to compare it with Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1% in the 
topical treatment of acne vulgaris for 12 weeks. 
Methods:   
This will be a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled study.  
Subjects with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris will be randomized to treatment with either 
DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1%, Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1%, Vehicle Lotion or 
Vehicle Cream in a ratio of 2:2:1:1. Upon randomization, the treatment group (DFD-03 group or 
Tazorac group) will be known but the treatment assignment (active vs. vehicle) within that 
treatment group will remain blinded. During the 12-week treatment period subjects randomized 
to DFD-03 Lotion or Vehicle Lotion will use the study drug twice daily with approximately 
12 hours between applications. Subjects randomized to Tazorac Cream or Vehicle Cream will 
use the study drug once daily in the evening. Subjects will be instructed to treat the entire face.   
At selected site(s), subjects with acne lesions of any severity on the chest and/or back (including 
shoulders) may be enrolled provided they have met all inclusion criteria including mild to 
moderate acne on the face and have not met any exclusion criteria and will treat all areas 
affected with acne on the face, chest and/or back, including shoulders, if applicable.  Up to 12 
subjects with acne involvement on the face, chest and/or back including shoulders will be 
randomized to treatment with either DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1%, Tazorac (tazarotene) 
Cream, 0.1%, Vehicle Lotion or Vehicle Cream in a ratio of 2:2:1:1. 
At selected site(s), subjects who are 9 to 11 years of age will be randomized to DFD-03 group 
only in a 1:1 ratio of DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1% to Vehicle Lotion.  Approximately 8 
subjects will be enrolled in this age range and the inclusion criteria on the number of 
inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions will not be applicable to these subjects. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Safety assessments will include the investigator’s assessment of local cutaneous 
tolerance/application site reactions on the face (dryness, non-lesional erythema, peeling, 
stinging, burning, and itching), vital signs (blood pressure and pulse rate), and adverse events 
(AEs). Local cutaneous tolerance reactions on the chest and/or back including shoulders (if 
applicable), will be assessed separately. Urine pregnancy tests will be performed at Screening, 
Baseline and at every visit through Week 12 for all female subjects. A physical examination will 
be performed at the Baseline and at the End of Study Visit.  
The Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) will be used to assess the quality of life in all 
subjects at Baseline (Day 1) and at Weeks 4, 8 and 12.  
The investigator will assess efficacy by using an Investigator’s Global Assessment scale (IGA 
5-point scale) and by counting the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on the 
face at Baseline and Weeks 4, 8, and 12. 
Number of Subjects: 
Approximately 150 subjects with facial acne vulgaris will be randomized at 10 centers to 
have 120 subjects who complete the study. 
Diagnosis and Criteria for Inclusion / Exclusion: 
Inclusion: 
1. Subject understands the study procedures, is willing to comply with the study procedures 
and required visits, and agrees to participate by giving written informed consent. Subjects 
under the legal age of consent must provide written assent and must have the written 
informed consent of their legal guardian. 
2. Subject (or legal guardian) must be willing to authorize use and disclosure of protected 
health information collected for the study. 
3. Subject must be at least 12 years of age.  
• At selected site(s), a total of approximately eight subjects 9-11 years of age will be 
enrolled into the 2 arms of DFD-03 lotion group (active and vehicle).  
4. Female subjects must be having their menstrual period at the Baseline Visit (as reported by 
the subject), except for subjects using hormonal contraceptives that preclude menstrual 
periods, if the subject is premenarchal, is postmenopausal for at least 12 months prior to 
baseline, is surgically sterilized (i.e. tubal ligation) or if the subject is without a uterus and 
/or both ovaries. 
5. A clinical diagnosis of facial acne vulgaris with a facial Investigator’s Global Assessment 
(IGA) score of 2 (mild) to 3 (moderate) at Baseline.  
• At selected site(s), up to twelve subjects with acne lesions on the chest and/or back 
(including shoulders) in addition to those on the face will treat their back and/or 
chest (including shoulders) in addition to their face.  
6. Inflammatory lesion count (papules and pustules) of at least 20 on the face, including the 
nose, at Baseline.  

 
 
 
 
 
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• This criteria is not applicable to the 9-11 years age group as long as subjects have an 
IGA score of 2 (mild) to 3 (moderate) at Baseline. 
7. Non-inflammatory lesion count (closed and open comedones) of at least 25 on the face, 
including the nose, at Baseline.  
• This criteria is not applicable to the 9-11 years age group as long as subjects have an 
IGA score of 2 (mild) to 3 (moderate) at Baseline.. 
8. No more than 2 nodulocystic lesions on the face, including the nose, at Baseline. 
9. Females, regardless of childbearing potential: 
a. Must have a negative urine pregnancy test at Screening and Baseline. Test must have 
a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/mL for βhCG. 
b. If sexually active, must be on or use an acceptable method of birth control. 
 
Acceptable methods of birth control include: 
• hormonal methods* or intrauterine device in use ≥ 90 days prior to Baseline; or 
• partner has had a vasectomy at least 90 days prior to Baseline; or 
• barrier methods plus spermicide; or  
• Essure® that has been in place for at least 3 months before the screening visit with 
radiograph confirmation of fallopian tube blockage. 
*Hormonal methods: If on hormonal contraceptives, must have been on the same 
hormonal contraceptive product for 3 months (90 days) prior to Baseline and continued 
on same method and dose throughout the duration of the study. If subject had used 
hormonal birth control and had stopped, this should have occurred more than 6 months 
prior to Baseline. 
Exception:  Sexually inactive female subjects are not required to practice a reliable 
method of contraception and may be enrolled at the investigator’s discretion provided 
that they are counseled to remain sexually inactive for the duration of the study and 
understand the possible risks involved in getting pregnant during the study. An abstinent 
female must agree that if she becomes sexually active during the study she will use an 
acceptable form of contraception such as a barrier method with spermicide. Females who 
are surgically sterilized [e.g. hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral 
oophorectomy] at least 1 year prior to Baseline or have been postmenopausal for at least 
1 year prior to Baseline are not required to practice a reliable method of contraception. 
10. Subjects agree not to use any product on the face during the entire course of study except for 
non-medicated, investigator-approved cleanser, sunscreen, face wash, and make-up.  
Subjects should continue to use these investigator-approved products for the duration of the 
study and should avoid any changes in these consumer products. 
11. Subjects must be willing to comply with sun avoidance measures for the face (as well as 
back/chest including shoulders, if applicable) including use of investigator-approved 
sunscreen and/or hats, have limited sun exposure time, and have no tanning bed use. 

 
 
 
 
 
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12. Subject must be in good general health as determined by the investigator and supported 
by the medical history, physical examination, and normal or not clinically significant 
abnormal vital signs (blood pressure and pulse). Subjects are eligible if: 
 Systolic blood pressure (BP) < 160 and > 85 mmHg 
 Diastolic BP < 100 and > 50 mmHg 
 Pulse 50 to 100 bpm inclusive for adults; up to 110 bpm for subjects < 18 years of 
age 
Exclusion: 
1. Females who are pregnant or lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study 
period.  
2. Treatment with the following products: 
a. Topical acne treatments (retinoids, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, resorcinol, 
salicylates, α-hydroxy/glycolic acid), or other topical facial medication (antifungals, 
steroids, anti-inflammatories) on the treatment area in the 14 days prior to the Baseline 
Visit, including prescription and non-prescription products. 
b. Systemic corticosteroids, systemic acne treatments including systemic antibiotics used 
for treatment of acne, potential photosensitizing agents (thiazides, phenothiazines), 
spironolactone, flutamide, or immunosuppressant drugs in the 30 days prior to the 
Baseline Visit.  
c. Systemic retinoid use (including high dose vitamin A > 10,000 units per day) in the 
180 days prior to the Baseline Visit. 
d. Undertaken certain facial procedures such as chemical peel, laser treatment, 
photodynamic therapy, acne surgery, cryodestruction or chemodestruction, x-ray 
therapy, intralesional steroids, dermabrasion, or depilation (except eyebrow shaping) in 
the 30 days prior to the Baseline Visit. After the subject is enrolled in the study, eyebrow 
shaping (except for tweezing) is prohibited. 
e. Treatment with a medication or procedure that, in the opinion of the investigator, would 
put the subject at unacceptable risk for participation in the study or may interfere with 
evaluations in the study.  
f. Treatment with an investigational product or device in the 30 days prior to the Baseline 
Visit. 
3. Known allergic reaction to retinoids or tazarotene or any of the other ingredients of these 
products.   The inactive ingredients are sodium lauryl sulphate, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, 
gluconolactone, Vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate, glycerin, carbomer P 971, 
propylparaben, methylparaben, edetate disodium, butylated hydroxytoluene, medium-chain 
triglyceride, trolamine, and purified water.  
4. Presence of any facial skin disease or condition that would interfere with the study or place 
the subject at unacceptable risk including sunburn, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, perioral 
dermatitis, lupus, dermatomyositis, psoriasis, eczema, squamous cell carcinoma, acneiform 

 
 
 
 
 
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eruptions caused by medications, steroid acne, steroid folliculitis, bacterial folliculitis or any 
other facial disease or condition.  
5. Excessive facial hair (i.e., heavy beard or mustache), facial tattoos or facial disfigurement 
that would interfere with study assessments. 
6. Subjects with a serious and/or chronic medical condition such as chronic or active liver 
disease, renal impairment, heart disease, severe respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, 
current malignancies, immunocompromised conditions, or any other disease that, in the 
opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the study or place the subject at 
unacceptable risk.  
7. Subjects who have been treated for alcohol dependence or alcohol or drug abuse in the year 
prior to the Baseline Visit.  
8. Subjects who have been in another investigational trial within 30 days of the Baseline Visit. 
9. Subjects may not have a personal relationship with any member of the study staff or be part 
of the staff at the medical practice. 
 
Investigational Product, Dose and Mode of Administration: 
DFD-03 Lotion (0.1% tazarotene) or Vehicle Lotion 
Subjects will apply a quarter (U.S coin) size amount of the study product all over the moistened 
face and rub it into the skin until foamy. Care should be taken to avoid the areas around the 
eyes, mouth, and nostrils. After being left on for 1 minute, the subject will rinse off the product 
by thoroughly rinsing with warm water for about 30 seconds. This procedure will be followed 
twice daily, in the morning and at bedtime, approximately 12 hours apart. 
For those subjects treating chest and/or back, including shoulders at selected site(s), an 
additional 1-2 quarter size amount of the study product may be used over other affected areas 
and applied similarly as on the face. 
 
Duration of Treatment and Study: 
Subjects will treat the entire face, including the nose (and only at selected site(s), chest and/or 
back, including shoulders) twice daily for 12 weeks. The total study duration including the 
screening period will be approximately 12 to 20 weeks.    
 
Reference and Control Products, Dose and Mode of Administration: 
Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1% or Vehicle Cream  
Approximately 1 g (pea size amount) of investigational product will be applied over the entire 
face once daily at bedtime and left on overnight.  
At selected site(s), an additional amount of 1-2 g investigational product will be applied to chest 
and/or back (including shoulders), if applicable and left overnight. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Criteria for Evaluation: 
Safety criteria: 
Safety variables include local tolerability/application site reaction occurrence and adverse 
events. Comparison of local tolerability and safety of DFD-03 Lotion with Tazorac Cream will 
be the primary endpoint for this study.  
Local tolerability/application site reactions include dryness, non-lesional erythema, peeling, 
stinging/burning, and pruritus and will be assessed at each study visit from Baseline through End 
of Study. The reactions on the face will be assessed separately from those on the chest and/or 
back, including shoulders (if applicable). Other safety variables include physical examination 
and vital signs (blood pressure and pulse rate).   
Efficacy criteria: 
The following efficacy variables will be summarized using descriptive statistics for both the ITT 
and PP populations. 
• The IGA success rate at Week 12 (an IGA score of 0 (Clear) or 1 (almost clear) with at 
least a 2-grade reduction from baseline) 
• Absolute change from baseline in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts on 
the face at the Week 12 visit. 
• Percent change from Baseline to Week 12 in inflammatory lesion counts on the face  
• Change from Baseline to Week 12 in CADI 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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Table 1: Study Schedule 
 
Visit 
11 
Visit 
21 
Visit 
3 
Visit 
4 
Visit 
5 
Screen 
Day -60 to 0 
Day 
1 
Baseline 
Week 
42 
Day 28 
Week 
83 
Day 56 
Week 
123 
Day 84 
Informed consent/assent 
X 
 
 
 
 
Inclusion and exclusion criteria 
X 
X 
 
 
 
Medical (including acne) history / prior & concomitant 
medications 
X 
X 
 
 
 
Collect demographic data  
X 
 
 
 
 
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Assessment 
 
X 
 
 
 
Physical Examination (including height and weight at 
Baseline Visit only) 
 
X 
 
 
X 
Vital signs assessment (Blood Pressure & Pulse Rate) 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Update concomitant medications 
 
 
X 
X 
X 
Urine pregnancy test4 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Randomization 
 
X 
 
 
 
Dispense/redispense study product 
 
X 
X 
X 
 
Weigh study product bottles prior to dispensing and 
used bottles upon return 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Initiate treatment  
 
X 
 
 
 
Dispense/review/ collect study diary 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Review subject instructions 
 
X 
X 
X 
 
Collect empty bottles 
 
 
X 
X 
X 
Evaluate IGA on face 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Count inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on 
face  
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Count inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on 
the chest and/or back including shoulders (if 
applicable)6 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Assess for any local cutaneous tolerance/application site 
reactions5 on face and, if applicable, separately for the 
chest and/or back including shoulders 6 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
CADI questionnaire 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Evaluate compliance 
 
 
X 
X 
X 
Adverse event assessment 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
End of study 
 
 
 
 
X 
1 Visit 1 and Visit 2 may be combined if no washout is required, but should not be separated by more than 60 days 
2 Visit window ± 3 days  
3 Visit window ± 5 days  
4 For all females regardless of reproductive potential 
5 Dryness, non-lesional erythema, peeling, stinging, burning, itching 
6 For the selected site(s) that will randomize subjects who will be treating chest and/or back (including shoulders) 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT ....................................................................................................2 
SIGNATURES................................................................................................................................2 
SYNOPSIS ......................................................................................................................................3 
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................10 
LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................12 
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .....................................................................................................13 
LIST OF DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................14 
1 
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................15 
2 
ETHICALCONSIDERATIONS ..........................................................................................15 
2.1 
Institutional Review Board Review ..................................................................................15 
2.2 
Ethical Conduct of Study ..................................................................................................16 
2.3 
Informed Consent ..............................................................................................................16 
2.4 
Selection of Investigators ..................................................................................................16 
3 
STUDY OBJECTIVES .........................................................................................................16 
4 
STUDY DESIGN ...................................................................................................................16 
5 
SELECTION OF STUDY POPULATION .........................................................................17 
5.1 
Number of Subjects ...........................................................................................................17 
5.2 
Inclusion Criteria ..............................................................................................................17 
5.3 
Exclusion Criteria .............................................................................................................19 
6 
SUBJECT TREATMENT ....................................................................................................21 
6.1 
Investigational Products ....................................................................................................21 
6.1.1 
Description .................................................................................................................21 
6.1.2 
Labels and Packing ....................................................................................................22 
6.1.3 
Accountability ............................................................................................................22 
6.1.4 
Dispensing and Return ...............................................................................................22 
6.1.5 
Storage .......................................................................................................................23 
6.2 
Treatment Regimen ...........................................................................................................23 
6.2.1 
Subjects Randomized to DFD-03 Lotion or Vehicle Lotion .....................................23 
6.2.2 
Subjects Randomized to Tazorac Cream or Vehicle Cream ......................................24 
6.2.3 
All Subjects ................................................................................................................24 
6.3 
Treatment and Protocol Compliance ................................................................................24 
6.4 
Method of Assigning Subjects to Treatment Groups ........................................................25 
6.5 
Blinding .............................................................................................................................26 
6.5.1 
Method of Blinding ....................................................................................................26 
6.5.2 
Unblinding .................................................................................................................26 
6.6 
Prior and Concomitant Therapy and Procedures ..............................................................26 
6.7 
Study Restrictions .............................................................................................................27 
7 
STUDY PROCEDURES AND EVALUATIONS ...............................................................27 

 
 
 
 
 
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7.1 
Informed Consent Process ................................................................................................27 
7.2 
Screening ...........................................................................................................................27 
7.3 
Demographic and Baseline Characteristics ......................................................................28 
7.4 
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Assessment ....................................................................................28 
7.5 
Efficacy Assessments ........................................................................................................28 
7.5.1 
Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of the Face ................................................29 
7.5.2 
Lesion Counts of the Face ..........................................................................................29 
7.5.3 
Lesion Counts of the Chest and/or Back (including shoulders) ................................30 
7.5.4 
Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) ......................................................................30 
7.6 
Safety Assessments ...........................................................................................................30 
7.7 
Early Withdrawal of Subjects ...........................................................................................32 
7.8 
Modification of Protocol ...................................................................................................33 
7.9 
Early Termination of Study ..............................................................................................33 
7.10 Study Schedule ..................................................................................................................33 
7.10.1 Visit 1 - Screening Visit .............................................................................................33 
7.10.2 Visit 2 - Day 1, Baseline Visit ...................................................................................34 
7.10.3 Visit 3 – Week 4/Day 28 (Visit Window ± 3 Days) ..................................................35 
7.10.4 Visit 4 - Week 8/Day 56 (Visit Window ± 5 Days) ...................................................36 
7.10.5 Visit 5 – Week 12/Day 84/ End of Treatment (Visit Window ± 5 Days) ..................37 
7.10.6 Unscheduled Visit (If Applicable) .............................................................................38 
8 
ADVERSE EVENTS .............................................................................................................38 
8.1 
Adverse Event Reporting Period ......................................................................................39 
8.2 
Recording Adverse Events ................................................................................................39 
8.3 
Assessment of Adverse Events .........................................................................................39 
8.3.1 
Severity ......................................................................................................................39 
8.3.2 
Relationship to Study Product (Causality) .................................................................40 
8.3.3 
Seriousness .................................................................................................................40 
8.4 
Reporting Serious Adverse Events ...................................................................................41 
8.5 
Discontinuation Due to an Adverse Event ........................................................................41 
8.6 
Exposure in utero (Pregnancy) .........................................................................................41 
9 
DATA HANDLING AND RECORD KEEPING ...............................................................42 
9.1 
Confidentiality ..................................................................................................................42 
9.2 
Source Documents ............................................................................................................42 
9.3 
Screening/Enrollment Log ................................................................................................42 
9.4 
Case Report Forms ............................................................................................................42 
9.5 
Archiving of Study Documentation ..................................................................................43 
10 MONITORING AND DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE ..................................................43 
11 STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS ................................................................................44 
11.1 Sample Size .......................................................................................................................44 
11.2 Analysis Data Sets ............................................................................................................44 
11.2.1 Safety Population .......................................................................................................44 
11.2.2 Intent-to-Treat ............................................................................................................44 
11.2.3 Per-Protocol ...............................................................................................................44 
11.3 Demographic and Baseline Data .......................................................................................45 

 
 
 
 
 
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11.4 Efficacy Analyses .............................................................................................................45 
11.5 Safety Analyses .................................................................................................................46 
11.5.1 Extent of Exposure .....................................................................................................46 
11.5.2 Local Cutaneous Safety Evaluation ...........................................................................46 
11.5.3 Adverse Events ..........................................................................................................46 
11.5.4 Physical Examination.................................................................................................47 
11.5.5 Vital signs ..................................................................................................................47 
11.5.6 Safety Laboratory Values ..........................................................................................47 
11.6 Analysis of Drug Concentrations ......................................................................................47 
12 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................47 
APPENDIX 1: DECLARATION OF HELSINKI (2013).........................................................48 
APPENDIX 2: THE CARDIFF ACNE DISABILITY INDEX (CADI) .................................53 
 
LIST OF TABLES 
Table 1: Study Schedule ..................................................................................................................9 
Table 2: Washout Periods (Prior to Baseline - Visit 2) .................................................................21 
Table 3: Fitzpatrick Classification Scale .......................................................................................28 
Table 4: IGA Scale for Facial Acne Vulgaris ................................................................................29 
Table 5: Scoring of Non-Lesional Erythema .................................................................................31 
Table 6: Scoring of Peeling............................................................................................................31 
Table 7: Scoring of Dryness ..........................................................................................................31 
Table 8: Scoring of Stinging ..........................................................................................................31 
Table 9: Scoring of Burning ..........................................................................................................32 
Table 10: Scoring of Itching ..........................................................................................................32 
Table 11: Overall Tolerance ..........................................................................................................32 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 
Abbreviations 
Description 
AE 
adverse event 
BP 
blood pressure 
CADI 
Cardiff Acne Disability Index 
CFR 
Code of Federal Regulations 
eCRF 
electronic case report form 
CRO 
contract research organization 
EDC 
electronic data capture  
FDA 
Food and Drug Administration 
GCP 
Good Clinical Practice 
hCG 
human chorionic gonadotropin 
IGA 
Investigator’s Global Assessment 
IRB 
institutional review board 
ITT 
intent-to-treat 
LOCF 
last observation carried forward 
MedDRA 
Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities 
PHI 
protected health information 
PP 
per-protocol 
PT 
preferred term 
SAE 
serious adverse event 
SGA 
Subject’s Global Assessment 
SOC 
system organ class 
TEAE 
treatment-emergent adverse event 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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LIST OF DEFINITIONS 
 
Term 
Definition 
EDC 
 
Electronic Data Capture is a computerized system designed for 
the collection of clinical data in electronic format including the 
eCRF. 
 
 
 
Screening Visit  
(Visit 1) 
The day a subject is screened according to the protocol 
inclusion/exclusion criteria after having provided informed 
consent/assent. The screening visit may occur on the same day 
as Visit 2 (Baseline) for this study. 
 
Screened Subject 
 
Screening Number 
 
A subject who has signed informed consent/assent.  
 
A screening number will be assigned by the site at Visit 
1/Screening, consisting of a 3-digit site number followed by a 
3-digit sequential number for each subject in chronological 
order (e.g., 801-001, where the site number is 801 and the first 
screened subject is 001) 
 
Baseline Visit  
(Visit 2/Day 1) 
The day of randomization and the first study product 
application. The first study product application is done at the 
site by the subject during the visit. 
 
Subject Number 
 
A unique subject number will be assigned to each subject.  The 
randomization number (subject kit number) will be designated 
as the subject number.  The subject will maintain the same 
subject number and treatment assignment throughout the study.  
Subject numbers will be assigned immediately prior to 
dispensing study medication and will be assigned starting with 
the lowest available number at the study site. 
 
Study product(s) 
Investigational product(s) 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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1 
INTRODUCTION 
Tazarotene, an acetylenic retinoid, is a prodrug that undergoes rapid and complete metabolism 
to its active metabolite tazarotenic acid (Chandraratna, 1996). Retinoids are a class of 
keratolytic drugs derived from retinoic acid used for the treatment of acne and psoriasis. Several 
synthetic retinoids have been developed for topical treatment of acne. 
Tazarotene was initially developed in gel formulation and subsequently in cream and foam 
formulations. Products containing tazarotene have been proven to be effective in the treatment 
of acne vulgaris and psoriasis, as well as being effective in the mitigation (palliation) of facial 
fine wrinkling, facial mottled hyper- and hypopigmentation, and benign facial lentigines. 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has developed DFD-03 Lotion, a new formulation containing 0.1% 
tazarotene for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. This new product is intended to be used as 
a face wash twice daily. Treatment use will begin by applying a generous amount of product to 
moistened affected skin, rubbing until foamy, and then rinsing with water after 1 minute. 
Acne vulgaris is characterized by a mixture of inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, and 
nodular cystic lesions) and non-inflammatory lesions (open and closed comedones) (Shalita, 
2004). The four primary factors contributing to acne are abnormal follicular epithelial 
desquamation, hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands, proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes, 
and perifollicular inflammation. 
Currently available treatments for acne vulgaris include oral and topical antibiotics, topical 
benzoyl peroxide, topical salicylic acid, topical adapalene, topical azelaic acid, topical dapsone, 
oral and topical retinoids (including tazarotene), and phototherapy. 
Tazarotene is a well-characterized active ingredient, and many studies have been conducted on 
its pharmacology, toxicology and clinical efficacy and safety (Fabior Prescribing Information, 
Tazorac Cream Prescribing Information). 
Tazarotene is characterized by the FDA as a Category X drug, indicating that it may or can 
cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman and is contraindicated in women who 
are or may become pregnant (Menter, 2000). At least 6 women are known to have become 
pregnant during clinical studies with tazarotene and all reported the birth of healthy babies, 
although the timing and extent of exposure in relation to the gestation time are unknown in these 
cases.  
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and local tolerability of DFD-03 Lotion 0.1% 
compared to Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1% Cream for topical treatment of acne vulgaris for 
12 weeks.  
More information about DFD-03 Lotion 0.1% can be found in the Investigator’s Brochure.  
 
2 
ETHICALCONSIDERATIONS 
2.1 
Institutional Review Board Review 
The protocol, protocol amendments, subject recruiting materials, the informed consent form, 
and any other materials provided to subjects must be approved by an institutional review board 
(IRB) operating in compliance with 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 56. A copy of 

 
 
 
 
 
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the approval letter must be received by the sponsor or contract research organization (CRO) 
prior to shipment of drug supplies to the site. 
Records of the IRB’s review and approval of all documents pertaining to the study must be kept 
on file by the investigator and are subject to sponsor and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
inspection at any time.   
 
2.2 
Ethical Conduct of Study 
The investigator will ensure that this study is conducted in full conformity with the principles 
set forth in 21 CFR Part 50 – Protection of Human Subjects and in the Declaration of Helsinki 
(2013) (see Appendix 1).  
 
2.3 
Informed Consent 
Written informed consent must be obtained before a subject can participate in the study, prior to 
performing any study related procedures, and before withdrawal of any therapies prohibited 
during the study. Informed consent is a process that is initiated prior to the subject’s agreement 
to participate in the study and continuing throughout the subject’s study participation. The 
process involves an extensive discussion with the subject about the study procedures and the 
risks and possible benefits of participation in the study.  
For subjects under the age of majority in the state they are enrolled, the subject’s parent or legal 
guardian will be required to sign the informed consent form and the subject will sign an IRB-
approved “information and assent” form before the subject is enrolled into the study.  
A copy of the signed consent form and information and assent form (when applicable) will be 
given to every subject and the original will be maintained with the subject’s records. 
 
2.4 
Selection of Investigators 
Investigators for the study should be board-certified dermatologists licensed in the state where 
the study is being conducted, with knowledge and understanding of Good Clinical Practice 
(GCP) and experience in treating acne vulgaris. In some cases, qualified physicians who are not 
board-certified dermatologists may participate based on training and experience in the treatment 
of acne vulgaris. Sub-investigators may be licensed physicians, physician assistants, or nurse 
practitioners with experience in treating acne vulgaris or in dermatology and a good 
understanding of GCP. Investigators may delegate study tasks to other site personnel as long as 
they are qualified to perform the task.  
 
3 
STUDY OBJECTIVES 
The objectives of this study are to determine the safety and local tolerability of DFD-03 
(tazarotene) Lotion 0.1% and to compare it with Tazorac (tazarotene) 0.1% Cream in the topical 
treatment of acne vulgaris for 12 weeks. 
 
4 
STUDY DESIGN 
This will be a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, active-controlled study. 
Approximately 150 subjects with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris will be randomized in a 

 
 
 
 
 
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2:2:1:1 ratio to treatment with DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1%, Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 
0.1% , Vehicle Lotion, or Vehicle Cream.  During the 12-week treatment period subjects 
randomized to DFD-03 Lotion or Vehicle Lotion will use the study drug twice daily with 
approximately 12 hours between applications. Subjects randomized to Tazorac Cream or 
Vehicle Cream will use the study drug once daily in the evening.   
At selected site(s), subjects with acne lesions of any severity on the chest and/or back (including 
shoulders) may be enrolled provided they have met all inclusion criteria including mild to 
moderate acne on the face and have not met any exclusion criteria and will treat all areas 
affected with acne on the face, chest and/or back, including shoulders, if applicable.  Up to 12 
subjects with acne involvement on the face, chest and/or back including shoulders will be 
randomized to treatment with either DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1%, Tazorac (tazarotene) 
Cream, 0.1%, Vehicle Lotion or Vehicle Cream in a ratio of 2:2:1:1. 
Also, there will be selected site(s) that will enroll approximately 8 subjects who are 9 years of 
age to 11 years of age.  They will be randomized to DFD-03 group only in a 1:1 ratio of DFD-
03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1% to Vehicle Lotion. The total number of approximately 150 subjects 
in the study will include up to 12 subjects with acne on the chest and/or back, and 
approximately 8 subjects in the age group of 9-11 years. 
Safety variables include local tolerability/application site reaction occurrence and treatment- 
emergent adverse events (TEAEs). The primary safety endpoint will be the comparison of local 
tolerability/application site reactions and safety of DFD-03 Lotion with Tazorac Cream. Local 
tolerability/application site reactions include dryness, non-lesional erythema, peeling, 
stinging/burning, and pruritus and will be assessed (separately for the face and the chest and/or 
back) at each study visit from Baseline through End of Study. Other safety variables include vital 
signs (blood pressure and pulse rate). A physical examination will be performed at Baseline and 
at the End of Study Visit. Urine pregnancy tests will be performed at Screening, Baseline and at 
every visit through Week 12 for all female subjects. 
The investigator will assess efficacy by using an Investigator’s Global Assessment scale (IGA, 
5-point scale) and by counting the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on the 
face at Screening, Baseline and Weeks 4, 8, and 12. Lesion counts will also be done separately 
for the chest and/or back (including shoulders), where applicable for those selected site(s). 
The Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) will be used to assess the quality of life in all 
subjects at Baseline (Day 1) and at Weeks 4, 8 and 12. 
 
5 
SELECTION OF STUDY POPULATION 
5.1 
Number of Subjects 
Approximately 150 subjects will be randomized at 10 centers to have 120 subjects who 
complete the study.   
 
5.2 
Inclusion Criteria 
1. Subject understands the study procedures, is willing to comply with the study procedures 
and required visits, and agrees to participate by giving written informed consent. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Subjects under the legal age of consent must provide written assent and must have the 
written informed consent of their legal guardian. 
2. Subject (or legal guardian) must be willing to authorize use and disclosure of protected 
health information collected for the study. 
3. Subject must be at least 12 years of age.  
• At selected site(s), a total of approximately eight  subjects 9-11 years of age will 
be enrolled into the 2 arms of DFD-03 lotion group (active and vehicle). 
4. Female subjects must be having their menstrual period at the Baseline Visit (as reported 
by the subject), except for subjects using hormonal contraceptives that preclude 
menstrual periods, if the subject is premenarchal, is postmenopausal for at least 12 
months prior to baseline, is surgically sterilized (i.e. tubal ligation) or if the subject is 
without a uterus and /or both ovaries. 
5. A clinical diagnosis of facial acne vulgaris with an Investigator’s Global Assessment 
(IGA) score of 2 (mild) to 3 (moderate) at Baseline.  
• At selected site(s), up to twelve subjects with acne lesions on the chest and/or 
back (including shoulders) in addition to those on the face will treat their back 
and/or chest (including shoulders) in addition to their face. 
6. Inflammatory lesion count (papules and pustules) of at least 20 on the face, including the 
nose, at Baseline.  
• This criteria is not applicable to the 9-11 years age group as long as subjects have 
an IGA score of 2 (mild) to 3 (moderate) at Baseline. 
7. Non-inflammatory lesion count (closed and open comedones) of at least 25 on the face, 
including the nose, at Baseline.  
• This criteria is not applicable to the 9-11 years age group as long as subjects have 
an IGA score of 2 (mild) to 3 (moderate) at Baseline. 
8. No more than 2 nodulocystic lesions on the face, including the nose, at Baseline. 
9. Females, regardless of childbearing potential: 
a. Must have a negative urine pregnancy test at Screening and Baseline. Test must have 
a sensitivity of at least 25 mIU/mL for βhCG. 
b. If sexually active, must be on or use an acceptable method of birth control. 
 
Acceptable methods of birth control include: 
• hormonal methods* or intrauterine device in use ≥ 90 days prior to Baseline; or 
• partner has had a vasectomy at least 90 days prior to Baseline; or 
• barrier methods plus spermicide; or 
• Essure® that has been in place for at least 3 months before the screening visit with 
radiograph confirmation of fallopian tube blockage. 

 
 
 
 
 
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*Hormonal methods: If on hormonal contraceptives, must have been on the same 
hormonal contraceptive product for 3 months (90 days) prior to Baseline and continued 
on same method and dose throughout the duration of the study. If subject had used 
hormonal birth control and had stopped, this should have occurred more than 6 months 
prior to Baseline. 
Exception: Sexually inactive female subjects are not required to practice a reliable 
method of contraception and may be enrolled at the investigator’s discretion provided 
that they are counseled to remain sexually inactive for the duration of the study and 
understand the possible risks involved in getting pregnant during the study. An abstinent 
female must agree that if she becomes sexually active during the study she will use an 
acceptable form of contraception such as a barrier method with spermicide. Females who 
are surgically sterilized [e.g. hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral 
oophorectomy] at least 1 year prior to Baseline or have been postmenopausal for at least 
1 year prior to Baseline are not required to practice a reliable method of contraception. 
10. Subjects agree not to use any product on the face during the entire course of study except 
for non-medicated, investigator-approved cleanser, sunscreen, face wash, and make-up 
as instructed by the investigator. Subjects should continue to use these investigator-
approved products for the duration of the study and should avoid any changes in these 
consumer products. 
11. Subjects must be willing to comply with sun avoidance measures for the face (as well as 
back/chest including shoulders, if applicable) including use of investigator-approved 
sunscreen and/or hats, have limited sun exposure time, and have no tanning bed use. 
12. Subject must be in good general health as determined by the investigator and supported 
by the medical history, physical examination, and normal or not clinically significant 
abnormal vital signs (blood pressure and pulse). Subjects are eligible if: 
 Systolic blood pressure (BP) < 160 and > 85 mmHg 
 Diastolic BP < 100 and > 50 mmHg 
 Pulse 50 to 100 bpm inclusive for adults; up to 110 bpm for subjects < 18 
years of age;  
5.3 
Exclusion Criteria 
1. Females who are pregnant or lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study 
period.  
2. Treatment with the following products: 
a. Topical acne treatments (retinoids, antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, 
resorcinol, salicylates, α-hydroxy/glycolic acid), or other topical facial medication 
(antifungals, steroids, anti-inflammatories) on the treatment area in the 14 days prior 
to the Baseline Visit, including prescription and non-prescription products. 
b. Systemic corticosteroids, systemic acne treatments including systemic antibiotics 
used for treatment of acne, photosensitizing agents (thiazides, phenothiazines), 
spironolactone, flutamide, or immunosuppressant drugs in the 30 days prior to the 
Baseline Visit.  

 
 
 
 
 
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c. Systemic retinoid use (including high dose vitamin A > 10,000 units per day) in the 
180 days prior to the Baseline Visit. 
d. Undertaken certain facial procedures such as chemical peel, laser treatment, 
photodynamic therapy, acne surgery, cryodestruction or chemodestruction, x-ray 
therapy, intralesional steroids, dermabrasion, or depilation (except eyebrow shaping) 
in the 30 days prior to Baseline visit. After the subject is enrolled in the study, 
eyebrow shaping (except for tweezing) will also be prohibited. 
e. Treatment with a medication or procedure that, in the opinion of the investigator, 
would put the subject at unacceptable risk for participation in the study or may 
interfere with evaluations in the study. 
f. Treatment with an investigational product or device in the 30 days prior to the 
Baseline Visit. 
3. Known allergic reaction to retinoids or tazarotene or any of the other ingredients of these 
products. The inactive ingredients are sodium lauryl sulphate, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, 
gluconolactone, Vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate, glycerin, carbomer P 971, 
propylparaben, methylparaben, edetate disodium, butylated hydroxytoluene, medium-chain 
triglyceride, trolamine, and purified water. 
4. Presence of any facial skin disease or condition that would interfere with the study or place 
the subject at unacceptable risk including sunburn, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, perioral 
dermatitis, lupus, dermatomyositis, psoriasis, eczema, squamous cell carcinoma, acneiform 
eruptions caused by medications, steroid acne, steroid folliculitis, bacterial folliculitis or any 
other facial disease or condition. 
5. Excessive facial hair (i.e., heavy beard or mustache), facial tattoos or facial disfigurement 
that would interfere with study assessments. 
6. Subjects with a serious and/or chronic medical condition such as chronic or active liver 
disease, renal impairment, heart disease, severe respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, 
current malignancies, immunocompromised conditions, or any other disease that, in the 
opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the study or place the subject at 
unacceptable risk.  
7. Subjects who have been treated for alcohol dependence or alcohol or drug abuse in the year 
prior to the Baseline Visit.  
8. Subjects who have been in another investigational trial within 30 days of the Baseline Visit. 
9. Subjects may not have a personal relationship with any member of the study staff or be part 
of the staff at the medical practice. 
 
Subjects must not use the medications or procedures shown in Table 2 for the period specified 
before the Baseline Visit (Visit 2). Table 2 also indicates whether the medications or procedures 
are allowed or prohibited during the study (after the Baseline Visit). 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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Table 2: Washout Periods (Prior to Baseline - Visit 2) 
Product 
Washout Period 
During Study 
Topical acne treatments (retinoids, antibiotics, 
benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, resorcinol, salicylates, 
α-hydroxy/glycolic acid), or other topical facial 
medication (antifungals, steroids, 
anti-inflammatories) on the treatment area, including 
prescription and non-prescription products 
14 days 
Prohibited 
Systemic corticosteroids, systemic acne treatments 
including systemic antibiotics used for acne 
treatment, photosensitizing agents (thiazides, 
phenothiazines), spironolactone, flutamide, or 
immunosuppressant drugs 
Other investigational product or device 
30 days 
Prohibited 
Systemic antibacterials 
Allowed except 
systemic 
antibiotics used 
for acne 
treatment which 
will require a 30-
day washout 
period 
Up to 10 days 
allowed for 
indications other 
than acne 
Facial procedures such as chemical peel, laser 
treatment, photodynamic therapy, acne surgery, 
cryodestruction or chemodestruction, x-ray therapy, 
intralesional steroids, dermabrasion, or depilation 
(except eyebrow shaping)  
30 days 
Prohibited 
[Eyebrow 
shaping (except 
for tweezing) is 
prohibited during 
the study] 
Systemic retinoid (including high dose vitamin A 
> 10,000 units per day) 
180 days 
Prohibited 
 
6 
SUBJECT TREATMENT 
6.1 
Investigational Products 
6.1.1 Description 
The investigational products are: 
 
1. DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1% 
 
(60 mL bottle containing 50 ml of study product, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.) 
2. Vehicle Lotion (0% tazarotene) 
 
(60 mL bottle containing 50 ml of study product, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.) 

 
 
 
 
 
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3. Tazorac (tazarotene) 0.1% Cream 
 
(60-gram tube, Allergan, Inc.) 
4. Vehicle Cream (0% tazarotene) 
 
(60-gram tube, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.) 
The study products will be provided by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Hyderabad, India. The 
study products are white to off-white lotions and white to off-white creams. The ingredients of 
the Vehicle Lotion and Vehicle Cream are identical to DFD-03 Lotion and Tazorac Cream, 
respectively, except for omission of tazarotene.  
 
6.1.2 Labels and Packing  
Bottles (for lotions) and tubes (for creams) will be packed in individual subject kits. Each 
subject’s study kit will consist of 1 box containing five (5) 60 ml bottles or 1 box containing 
three (3) 60 gram tubes of blinded and labeled study medication. For the selected site(s) 
enrolling subjects who can treat the chest and/or back (including shoulders), each subject’s 
study kit will consist of 1 box containing ten (10) 60 ml bottles or 1 box containing six (6) 60 
gram tubes of blinded and labeled study medication. 
Labels on the bottles/tubes will be in English and in Spanish and include the protocol number, a 
unique kit bottle/tube number, investigational use warning, storage conditions, brief instructions 
for use, and sponsor name and address. In addition, there will be a place to write the subject 
number and subject initials. The bottle/tube label will also have a tear-off panel that includes the 
protocol number and unique bottle/tube number. The tear-off panel is to be affixed to the source 
document and filed in subject’s chart. 
 
6.1.3 Accountability 
Documentation of receipt, study product inventory, and return shipments of the study product 
must be maintained at each study site. Upon receipt of the study product supplies, an inventory 
must be performed. It is important that site personnel count and verify that the shipment 
contains all the items noted in the shipment record and that they are in good condition. At study 
completion, all bottles/tubes of study product, used and unused, must be returned to the sponsor 
or designee.  
In addition, an Investigational Product Dispensing Record showing dispensing to and return by 
subjects must be maintained at each study site. Any dispensed bottles/tubes that are not returned 
to the clinic must be documented on the log. 
 
6.1.4 Dispensing and Return  
At the Baseline Visit (Visit 2), 2 bottles or 1 tube of study product will be dispensed to each 
subject. At subsequent visits (Day 28 and Day 56), 1 new bottle or 1 new tube will be dispensed 
as required, from the same assigned treatment and used bottle/tube will be collected. Partially 
used bottles/tubes may be redispensed as needed.  
For the site(s) selected to treat subjects with acne involvement on their chest and/or back, 
including shoulders, in addition to their face, 4 bottles or 2 tubes of study product will be 
dispensed to each subject at the Baseline Visit.  At subsequent visits (Day 28 and Day 56), 3 

 
 
 
 
 
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new bottles or 2 new tubes of study product will be dispensed as required from the same 
treatment and used bottle/tube will be collected. Partially used bottles/tubes may be redispensed 
as needed. 
The study product bottles/tubes will be weighed prior to being dispensed and weighed again 
when the bottle/tube is returned. The tear-off panel is to be affixed to the source document and 
filed in the subject’s chart. Subject initials and subject number must be written on the bottle/tube 
label. Study staff will then dispense and instruct the subject on study product use. The subject 
will be provided with a copy of the subject instructions.   
Dispensing and return of study product must be documented on the Investigational Product 
Dispensing Record. 
In order to maintain blinding, the Investigator performing the subject assessments will not be 
involved with the dispensing or return of study medication.  The Investigator will designate an 
independent third party study medication dispenser who will only dispense and collect all 
bottles/tubes of study product and diaries.  Subjects will be instructed not to discuss or mention 
study product with the Investigator or study staff not designated as the independent third party 
dispenser. 
Subjects must return the used bottles/tubes even if empty throughout the trial. At the end of the 
trial, all used and unused bottles/tubes must be returned to the clinic for eventual destruction by 
the sponsor or designee. Any dispensed bottles/tubes that are not returned to the clinic must be 
documented on the log. 
 
6.1.5 Storage 
Study product must be kept in a secure room temperature-controlled/monitored space at 
20°-25°C (68°-77°F); excursions are permitted to 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).  
 
6.2 
Treatment Regimen 
The independent third party dispenser will be involved in providing instructions to all subjects 
on proper application procedures and will supervise the first application on-site.  The third-party 
dispenser will be blinded to the treatment assignment, whether the subject is receiving active vs 
placebo but will know the treatment group, whether the subject was randomized to the DFD-03 
group or the Tazorac group.   
 
6.2.1 Subjects Randomized to DFD-03 Lotion or Vehicle Lotion  
Subjects will use the study product twice daily with approximately 12 hours between 
applications for 12 weeks starting on Day 1 during the study visit. The first application will be 
done at the clinic and supervised by the independent third party study medication dispenser. If 
the first on-site application occurs later in the afternoon (i.e., at or after 4 pm), this application 
will be considered the pm dose. Treatment use will begin by moistening facial skin with 
lukewarm tap water. Subjects will then be instructed to dispense a quarter (U.S. coin) size 
amount of study product into the palm of their hand and then apply over the entire face, 
delineated by the hairline, jawline and ears and including the nose (avoiding the areas around 
the eyes, mouth and nostrils), with the tip of a finger. Subjects should then rub the treated areas 
for 5 to 10 seconds until foamy, wait approximately 1 minute (a timer will be provided), and 

 
 
 
 
 
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then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm tap water for about 30 seconds, being careful to close eyes 
tightly. A washcloth should not be used on the face.  
At the selected site(s), for subjects with acne on chest and/or back (including shoulders), an 
additional 1-2 quarter size amount of the study treatment will be similarly applied.  A washcloth 
can be used for the chest and/or back including shoulders. 
 
6.2.2 Subjects Randomized to Tazorac Cream or Vehicle Cream  
Subjects will use the study product once daily in the evening. The first application will be done 
at the clinic supervised by the independent third party study medication dispenser and will be 
considered the pm dose. Subjects will then be instructed to dispense 1 gram (pea size), of study 
product into the palm of their hand and then apply as a thin layer over the entire face, delineated 
by the hairline, jaw line and ears and including the nose (avoiding the areas around the eyes, 
mouth and nostrils), with the tip of a finger. The applied cream on the face should be left on 
overnight and washed off in the morning, before applying non-medicated investigator approved 
sunscreen and/or moisturizer. 
At the selected site(s), for subjects with acne on chest and/or back (including shoulders), an 
additional amount of 1-2 g of the investigational product will be similarly applied. The applied 
cream on the chest and/or back (including shoulders) should be left on overnight and washed off 
in the morning, before applying non-medicated investigator approved sunscreen and/or 
moisturizer. 
 
6.2.3 All Subjects 
The first and last dates of treatment and the number of study product applications made on these 
dates should be recorded on the electronic case report form (eCRF). The total number of 
applications (including those on the first and last days) and the number of missed applications 
should also be recorded by reference to the diary. By definition there are no missed applications 
before the first date of treatment or after the last date of treatment.   
Heavy make-up used to cover-up blemishes and sunscreen should be removed before study 
product application using a non-medicated, gentle cleanser approved by the investigator. 
Subjects will be allowed to use a non-medicated investigator-approved cleanser, face wash, 
sunscreen, and/or non-comedogenic moisturizer with SPF, and make-up daily on the face and 
chest and/back as needed.  Subjects will be instructed to continue to use their investigator-
approved products for the duration of the study and should avoid any changes in these consumer 
products. 
 
6.3 
Treatment and Protocol Compliance 
Subjects will be provided an instruction sheet. Study staff should review the instruction sheet 
with the subjects to ensure protocol compliance.  
At each visit, the investigator or designee will interview subjects concerning treatment 
compliance and ask if any doses have been missed. The study product bottles/tubes will be 
weighed prior to being dispensed and weighed again when the bottle/tube is returned.  If the 
study product bottle/tube still contains study product it may be re-dispensed to the subject after 

 
 
 
 
 
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it is weighed.  Additional bottles/tubes should be dispensed as needed. The investigator will also 
ask about compliance with protocol requirements. Protocol deviations will be recorded in the 
subject’s chart and Protocol Deviation Form and included in the study report. A Protocol 
Deviation Form is not needed for missed visits, missed applications, out-of-window visits, or 
missing data. These items will be apparent from the missing data on the eCRF and will be 
identified programmatically during data analysis for purposes of reporting. The sponsor should 
be consulted before discontinuing subjects due to protocol deviations unless safety is a concern. 
In addition, subjects will be provided a diary card for documenting the time and dates of 
applications. The subjects will review the diary card with the investigator or designee at each 
visit. The number of applied and missed applications will be recorded on the eCRF. A subject 
will be considered compliant if the subject applied at least 80% but no more than 120% of the 
expected applications during the entire evaluation period. 
 
6.4 
Method of Assigning Subjects to Treatment Groups 
Subjects will be assigned randomly to one of the four treatment arms, DFD-03 (tazarotene) 
Lotion 0.1%, Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1%, Vehicle Lotion or Vehicle Cream in a 2:2:1:1 
ratio (50 subjects each to DFD-03 Lotion and Tazorac Cream, and 25 subjects each to Vehicle 
Lotion and Vehicle Cream). A treatment assignment schedule will be created with kit numbers 
randomly assigned to study products. The date and time of randomization and the bottle/tube 
number should be entered on the eCRF. 
For the selected site(s) enrolling subjects in the 9-11 age group, subjects will be assigned 
randomly to one of the two treatment arms, DFD-03 (tazarotene) Lotion 0.1%, and 0.1%, 
Vehicle Lotion in a 1:1 ratio (4 subjects each to DFD-03 Lotion and Vehicle Lotion). A 
treatment assignment schedule will be created with kit numbers randomly assigned to study 
products, which is independent from the treatment assignment schedule created for ages 12 and 
older. 
For the selected site(s) enrolling subjects with acne involvement on the face, chest and/or back 
including shoulders, subjects will be assigned randomly to treatment with either DFD-03 
(tazarotene) Lotion 0.1%, Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 0.1%, Vehicle Lotion or Vehicle Cream 
in a 2:2:1:1 ratio.  Since these subjects will be treating their face, chest and/or back and 
shoulders, the subject kit size will contain more study medication for application.  A treatment 
assignment schedule will be created for these larger kit sizes with kit numbers randomly 
assigned to study products, which is independent from the treatment assignment schedules 
created for ages 9-11 and 12 and older. 
A unique subject number will be assigned to each subject.  The randomization number (kit 
number) will be designated as the subject number.  The subject will maintain the same subject 
number and treatment assignment throughout the study.  Subject numbers will be assigned 
immediately prior to dispensing study medication and will be assigned starting with the lowest 
available number at the study site. 
The Investigator will designate an independent third party study medication dispenser who will  
dispense to qualified subjects, collect all bottles/tubes of study product and dispense and collect 
diaries.   
 

 
 
 
 
 
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No stratification based on age or other characteristics will be performed.   
 
6.5 
Blinding 
6.5.1 Method of Blinding  
This is a double-blind, active-controlled study. The primary and secondary containers and the 
product appearance of the DFD-03 Lotion and Vehicle Lotion will be identical and of Tazorac 
Cream and Vehicle Cream will be identical. All subjects, study site, CRO personnel, 
statisticians, and sponsor staff will be completely blinded to treatment assignment of active vs 
placebo but not to the treatment group of DFD group vs Tazorac group.  
In order to maintain blinding, the Investigator performing the subject clinical assessments and 
site staff assessing AEs will not be involved with the dispensing or return of study medication.  
The Investigator will designate an independent third party study medication dispenser who will 
only dispense and collect all study medication. Subjects will be instructed not to discuss or 
mention study medication with the Investigator or study staff not designated as the independent 
third party dispenser. 
 
6.5.2 Unblinding 
The blind should be broken for all SAE IND safety reports that are judged to be expedited 
reports for submission to FDA. The unblinding procedures and follow-up will be performed in 
accordance with the protocol and the CRO’s standard operating procedures (SOPs). The blind 
should not be broken at the study site level except in a medical emergency (where knowledge of 
the study medication received would affect the treatment of the emergency). For a medical 
emergency, the blind must only be broken following discussion on a case-by-case basis, at the 
discretion of the Investigator/treating physician/Sponsor. 
If the blind is broken, the date, time, and reason must be recorded in the subject’s source record, 
eCRF, and any associated AE report. If an Investigator, site personnel performing assessments, 
or subject is unblinded, the unblinding incident and unblinded subject must be listed as a major 
protocol deviation. A subject for whom the blind is broken will discontinue study medication 
and be scheduled for a safety follow-up visit and then discontinued from the study. The subject 
will be encouraged to stay in the study until the AE is resolved or stabilized. All Investigators 
and the IRB will receive blinded reports. However, on the request of the IRB, the Sponsor will 
send unblinded reports directly to the IRB. 
 
6.6 
Prior and Concomitant Therapy and Procedures 
Chronic medications being used at the time of the Screening and Baseline Visit, with the 
exception of those specified as prohibited, may be continued at the discretion of the investigator. 
History of medications, therapies, and procedures is collected from the prior 6-month period for 
determination of eligibility. Only medications, therapies and procedures in use during the study 
should be entered on the eCRF.  
New medications used after baseline required for another medical condition, that in the opinion 
of the investigator will have no material impact on the study, are permitted. The addition of such 
a new medication during the study will be documented as a concomitant medication and the 
associated medical need must be recorded as an AE, if applicable.   

 
 
 
 
 
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All medications (topical, oral, prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications) and 
medical therapies or procedures that are used during the study for other diseases/conditions must 
be recorded on the eCRF. 
Subjects will only be allowed to use a non-medicated investigator-approved gentle cleanser, 
facial wash, sunscreen, and/or non-comedogenic moisturizer with SPF, and make-up. 
Subjects should be instructed to refrain from making any significant change in the use of 
consumer products during the course of the study. All consumer products used on the face will 
be recorded at baseline and any changes will be captured in the source documents and eCRF. 
The name and the date that the new product was started will be recorded. 
See Table 2 for a list of medications and procedures that are prohibited during the study.  
 
6.7 
Study Restrictions 
Only the assigned study product and non-medicated investigator-approved sunscreen and 
moisturizer with SPF, gentle cleanser, face wash, and non-medicated make-up should be applied 
to the face during the study.  
Subjects must be willing to comply with sun avoidance measures for the face [and chest and/or 
back (including shoulders), if applicable], including use of investigator-approved non-medicated 
sunscreen and/or hats, have limited sun exposure time, and have no tanning bed use. 
 
7 
STUDY PROCEDURES AND EVALUATIONS 
7.1 
Informed Consent Process 
Informed consent must be obtained before a subject can participate in the study, prior to 
performing any study related procedures and before withdrawal of any therapies prohibited 
during the study. The investigator must discuss the study fully with the subject (and legal 
guardian, as applicable). Subjects must demonstrate their willingness to participate in the study 
and comply with the study procedures by giving written informed consent or written assent, as 
applicable. The consent form and ‘Information and assent’ form must be signed and dated by 
the subject or legal guardian, as applicable. A copy of the consent form (and ‘Information and 
assent’ form, as applicable) must be given to the subject and/or legal guardian, and the date of 
the consent process and who conducted the consent process must be documented in the source 
documents. 
 
7.2 
Screening 
A separate Screening Visit (Visit 1) may be performed when a washout period is required or for 
scheduling purposes. Alternatively, Visits 1 and 2 may be combined if no washout period is 
required. The screening number, date of visit, date of consent, reason for screen failure, and 
study status (screen failure) will be captured in the eCRF for every screen failure subject. The 
Baseline Visit 2 must occur no later than 60 days after the Screening Visit. Medical history and 
acne history should be collected for the prior 1-year period and concomitant medications, 
therapies, and procedures collected for the prior 6-month period. Only ongoing medical 
conditions and ongoing concomitant medications should be entered on the eCRF. Acne history 
will be collected and recorded in the eCRF. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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A screen failure is a subject who received information about the study, including signing an 
informed consent and possibly performing some study-related procedures, but was not 
randomized and/or did not use study product. 
 
7.3 
Demographic and Baseline Characteristics 
Demographic variables include age (computed from date of birth and Baseline Visit date), race, 
ethnicity, and sex. Baseline characteristics are the baseline values for the efficacy variables – 
inflammatory lesion count, non-inflammatory lesion count, and IGA. 
 
7.4 
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Assessment 
The Fitzpatrick skin scale (Fitzpatrick, 1988; Table 3) classifies a person’s complexion and 
tolerance of sunlight. It is commonly used by many practitioners to determine how someone will 
respond or react to facial treatments, and how likely they are to get skin cancer.  
The Fitzpatrick Classification Scale will be performed at Day 1 (Baseline) prior to the first 
application of study medication and will be recorded in the subject’s source document and CRF. 
 
Table 3: Fitzpatrick Classification Scale 
Skin 
Type 
Skin Color 
Characteristics 
I 
White; very fair; red or blond hair; blue eyes; 
freckles 
Always burns, never tans 
II 
White; fair; red or blond hair; blue, hazel, or 
green eyes 
Usually burns, tans with 
difficulty 
III 
Cream white; fair with any eye or hair color; 
very common 
Sometimes mild burn, 
gradually tans 
IV 
Brown; typical Mediterranean Caucasian skin 
Rarely burns, tans with ease 
V 
Dark Brown; mid-eastern skin types 
very rarely burns, tans very 
easily 
VI 
Black 
Never burns, tans very easily 
 
7.5 
Efficacy Assessments 
The investigator will be responsible for all clinical evaluations, with best attempts made to 
assign the same evaluator for a subject throughout the study to obtain consistency in grading 
scores and measurements.   
Efficacy assessments will be conducted using IGA for overall disease severity and inflammatory 
and non-inflammatory lesion counts on the face.  The IGA should always be done prior to lesion 
counts. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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7.5.1 Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of the Face 
The IGA scale to be used in the study is a measure of static evaluation of qualitative overall 
acne severity. IGA is an ordinal scale with five severity grades (reported only in integers, e.g., 
0 to 4). Each grade is defined by a distinct and clinically relevant morphologic description to 
minimize inter-observer variability (Table 4). The grades on the scale have been sufficiently 
defined to appropriately and unambiguously represent each severity grade on the scale. The 
investigator is required to perform IGA scoring at each visit. The IGA should always be done 
prior to lesion counts. 
 
Table 4: IGA Scale for Facial Acne Vulgaris 
Grade 
Description 
0 
Clear skin with no inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesions  
1 
Almost clear; rare non-inflammatory lesions with no more than rare 
papules 
2 
Mild severity; some non-inflammatory lesions with no more than a few 
inflammatory lesions (papules/pustules only, no nodular lesions) 
3 
Moderate severity; up to many non-inflammatory lesions and may have 
some inflammatory lesions, but no more than one small nodular lesion 
4 
Severe; up to many non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions, but no 
more than a few nodular lesions 
 
7.5.2 Lesion Counts of the Face 
Non-inflammatory lesions (closed comedones and open comedones), inflammatory lesions 
(papules and pustules), and nodulocystic lesions (nodules and cysts) on the face (above the 
mandibular line), including the nose, will be counted and recorded separately at each visit from 
Screening/Baseline through Week 12. Non-inflammatory lesions of acne are the open 
(blackheads) or closed (whiteheads) comedones. Closed comedones may be more difficult to 
detect visually and may require stretching of the skin to aid in visualization. Inflammatory 
lesions are divided into papules, pustules, and nodules/nodulocystic lesions, depending on the 
severity and location of the inflammation within the dermis. Nodulocystic lesions will be 
counted separately from inflammatory lesions of papules and pustules. The papules and pustules 
have surrounding halos of erythema allowing for their characterization as inflammatory. 
Nodules are typically erythematous and often tender and/or painful. Additionally, they are deep-
seated in the skin (i.e., centered in the dermis or subcutis). Nodules have been defined as being 
greater than 5 mm in diameter. The borders of these lesions may be difficult to determine 
because of the associated erythema/inflammation. The investigator/evaluator should use 
standard, good lighting to visualize lesions and a systematic counting procedure to ensure 
consistent and accurate counts. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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7.5.3 Lesion Counts of the Chest and/or Back (including shoulders) 
At selected site(s), for subjects who have acne lesions on their chest and/or back (including 
shoulders), lesion counts will be assessed separately for these areas. 
Non-inflammatory lesions (closed comedones and open comedones), inflammatory lesions 
(papules and pustules), and nodulocystic lesions (nodules and cysts) on the chest and/or back 
including shoulders (if applicable) will be counted and recorded separately at each visit from 
Baseline through Week 12. Nodulocystic lesions will be counted separately from inflammatory 
lesions of papules and pustules. The back area is from most prominent cervical spinous process 
superiorly to the superior aspect of iliac crest inferiorly and the shoulder area will also be 
included. The chest area is from the manubrium of the sternum superiorly to the xiphiod process 
inferiorly. The lesion types are as described above. The investigator/evaluator should use 
standard, good lighting to visualize lesions and a systematic counting procedure to ensure 
consistent and accurate counts. 
 
7.5.4 Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) 
The CADI is a short 5 item questionnaire that will be conducted by all subjects at Baseline, 
Week 4, 8, and 12. The questionnaire rapidly assesses the disability caused by the acne. It 
consists of 5 questions. The scoring for each question is done from 0 to 3 (a=3, b=2, c=1, d=0). 
The CADI score is calculated by summing the score of each question resulting in a possible 
maximum of 15 and a minimum of 0. The higher the score, the more the quality of life is 
impaired.   
 
The CADI questionnaire is provided in Appendix 2. 
 
7.6 
Safety Assessments 
Safety assessments include vital signs, local cutaneous tolerance evaluation of the treated skin, 
and AEs. Vital signs (blood pressure and pulse) will be collected at each visit. A physical 
examination will be performed at Baseline (Day 1) and at Week 12. Urine pregnancy tests for 
all female subjects (regardless of childbearing potential) will be conducted at Screening and 
Baseline (Day 1) and at each subsequent visit. Adverse events will be collected by spontaneous 
reports from subjects (either verbal or recorded in the subject diary), by directed questioning of 
subjects, and by observation (see Section 8 for details about AEs). Adverse events, whether 
believed by the investigator to be related or unrelated to treatment, will be recorded on the eCRF.  
At Visits 2 through 5 the investigator will assess local cutaneous tolerance by examining treated 
areas for clinically significant non-lesional erythema, peeling, and dryness that will be graded as 
shown below (Table 5, Table 6, Table 7) and recorded on the eCRF. Assessments will be 
recorded separately for the face and (if applicable) chest and/or back (including shoulders) for 
selected site(s). The investigator will also ask the subject if any stinging (Table 8), burning 
(Table 9), or itching (Table 10) has occurred on the face and chest and/or back (including 
shoulders), if applicable since the last visit (for Visit 2 in the last 2 weeks). Visit 2 assessments 
are made prior to first application. An AE should be recorded if the severity is worse than at 
Baseline. In addition, overall cutaneous tolerance should be graded at the Week 12 visit, or the 
last visit if earlier, using the grading shown in Table 11. The local cutaneous tolerance signs and 

 
 
 
 
 
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symptoms will be assessed separately for the face and chest and/or back (including shoulders), if 
applicable, for selected site(s), using the same scales below. 
 
Table 5: Scoring of Non-Lesional Erythema 
Severity 
Score 
Description 
None 
0 
No erythema 
Mild 
1 
Light pinkness present 
Moderate 
2 
Definite redness, easily recognized 
Severe 
3 
Intense redness 
 
Table 6: Scoring of Peeling 
Severity 
Score 
Description 
None 
0 
No peeling 
Mild 
1 
Barely perceptible shedding, noticeable only 
on light scratching or rubbing 
Moderate 
2 
Obvious but not profuse shedding 
Severe 
3 
Heavy scale production 
 
Table 7: Scoring of Dryness 
Severity 
Score 
Description 
None 
0 
No dryness 
Mild 
1 
Slight barely perceptible fine superficial scale 
Moderate 
2 
Clearly perceptible fine scale giving skin a 
powdery appearance 
Severe 
3 
Marked roughness, cracked skin with fissures 
 
Table 8: Scoring of Stinging 
Severity 
Score 
Description 
None 
0 
No stinging 
Mild 
1 
Slight sharp, tingling/stinging sensation; not 
really bothersome 
Moderate 
2 
Definite sharp, tingling/stinging sensation; that 
is somewhat bothersome 
Severe 
3 
Sharp, tingling/stinging sensation that has 
caused definite discomfort 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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Table 9: Scoring of Burning 
Severity 
Score 
Description 
None 
0 
No burning 
Mild 
1 
Slight warm, burning sensation; not really 
bothersome 
Moderate 
2 
Definite warm, burning sensation; that is 
somewhat bothersome 
Severe 
3 
Hot, burning sensation that has caused definite 
discomfort 
 
Table 10: Scoring of Itching 
Severity 
Score 
Description 
None 
0 
No itching 
Mild 
1 
Slight itching; not really bothersome  
Moderate 
2 
Definite itching that is somewhat bothersome, 
without loss of sleep 
Severe 
3 
Intense itching that has caused pronounced 
discomfort; night rest interrupted and 
excoriation of the skin from scratching may be 
present 
 
Table 11: Overall Tolerance 
Grades 
Score 
Description 
Excellent 
0 
No signs of irritation during the study 
Good 
1 
Slight signs of irritation during the study, which 
resolved by the end of the study 
Fair 
2 
Signs of irritation throughout the study  
Poor 
3 
Subject discontinued due to irritation 
Irritation is defined as any sign or symptom of intolerance. 
 
7.7 
Early Withdrawal of Subjects 
1. Subjects should be withdrawn from the study if they no longer wish to participate, are being 
uncooperative, or if the investigator feels that it is in the best interest of the subject to 
withdraw.  
2. Subjects with protocol deviations or for whom it is discovered should have been excluded 
should not be withdrawn unless there is a safety concern. The protocol deviation should be 
recorded in the subject’s chart and Protocol Deviation Form and included in the study report.  
3. Subjects who experience an AE resulting in or requiring discontinuation of study product 
use should be encouraged to be followed in the study until the AE is resolved or stabilized.   
4. Subjects whose treatment randomization is unblinded at the study site should be withdrawn. 

 
 
 
 
 
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5. If a female subject becomes pregnant during the study, study product will be discontinued 
immediately and she will be followed through the pregnancy and delivery. Details of the 
pregnancy, delivery and health of the infant should be recorded on the Pregnancy Report 
Form and the sponsor notified immediately. 
6. At the time of study discontinuation, the investigator will record the reason for early 
withdrawal, date of last study product application, date of last visit or contact, collect AE 
data, and, if possible, perform all Week 12 visit-specific evaluations. Every attempt should 
be made to contact subjects who are lost-to-follow-up for a final safety assessment. At least 
three attempts must be documented in the subject’s chart including the use of at least 
1 certified letter. Any contact, either direct or indirect, should be made with the purpose to 
document the final status of the subject with regard to safety.   
7. Subjects who withdraw early will not be replaced. 
 
7.8 
Modification of Protocol 
No amendments to this protocol can be made without consultation with and agreement of the 
sponsor, the FDA, and IRB. Amendments must be made in writing. Modifications needed for 
the safety of subjects will be made immediately with notifications made as soon as possible. 
 
7.9 
Early Termination of Study 
If it is determined by the sponsor or investigators that the study presents an unreasonable and 
significant risk to subjects, the study will be terminated as soon as possible, and in no event later 
than 5 working days following the determination that the study should be discontinued. The IRB 
and FDA must be notified as soon as possible about early termination of the study due to safety 
concerns. 
 
7.10 Study Schedule 
A Study Schedule chart can be found as Table 1. There are approximately 5 study visits: 
Screening (Visit 1), Baseline (Visit 2, Day 1), Week 4 (Visit 3), Week 8 (Visit 4), and Week 12 
(Visit 5). The visit window is ± 3 days for Week 4 and ± 5 days for Weeks 8 and 12. Visit 1 and 
Visit 2 should not be separated by more than 60 days. 
The Screening Visit (Visit 1) and the Baseline Visit (Visit 2) may be combined into a single 
visit if no washout is required. In that case, complete the required procedures for each visit as 
listed below. 
 
7.10.1 Visit 1 - Screening Visit 
1. Obtain written assent and/or informed consent prior to initiating any study procedures. 
Provide subject with signed copy of Information and assent/consent form. Document assent 
and/or informed consent in the subject’s study record. 
2. List subject on Screening Log and assign a screening number. Screening numbers consist of 
the 3-digit site number followed by sequential 3-digit numbers usually starting with 001 
(e.g., 806001, 806002, 806003). All subjects will be assigned a screening number.  

 
 
 
 
 
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3.  Perform a urine pregnancy test on all female subjects. 
4. Collect demographic data – date of birth, sex, race, and ethnicity. 
5. Review and record medical history, acne history (including naïve vs previous therapy, acne 
treatment received 12 months prior to screening, onset date for acne and first acne treatment, 
previous use of Tazorac and any issue with Tazorac use), and concomitant medications, 
therapies, and procedures. Medical history and acne history should be collected for the prior 
1-year period and concomitant medications, therapies, and procedures collected from the 
prior 6-month period. Only ongoing medical history items and ongoing concomitant 
medications should be entered on the eCRF. Acne history will be collected and recorded in 
the eCRF. 
6. Assess severity of acne using IGA (record on source only). IGA assessments should always 
be done prior to lesion counts. 
7. Conduct inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts of the face (record on source 
only). 
8. Collect vital signs (blood pressure and pulse) (record on source only). 
9. Screen subject according to the study inclusion/exclusion criteria to determine tentative 
eligibility.  
10. Initiate any protocol-required washout, if applicable. 
11. Schedule Visit 2. 
12. Complete eCRF for randomized subjects. For every screen failure subject, record the subject 
number, date of visit, date of consent, reason for screen failure, and study status (screen 
failure) in the eCRF. 
 
7.10.2 Visit 2 - Day 1, Baseline Visit 
If no washout is required, Screening and Baseline may occur on the same day. 
 
1. Update the medical history and concomitant medications. Any medical event (not related to 
a protocol intervention) that occurred since ‘Information and assent/informed consent form 
was signed should be recorded as medical history. Only ongoing medical conditions and 
ongoing concomitant medications should be entered on the eCRF.  
2. Collect AEs. Any new medical event or need for medication caused by a protocol procedure 
performed at the Screening Visit should be considered an AE except for worsening of acne.  
3. Confirm eligibility according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. 
4. Conduct urine pregnancy test on all female subjects. Record method of contraception, as 
applicable, on source only.  
5. Perform a physical examination. 
6. Collect vital signs (blood pressure and pulse), height and weight, and record Fitzpatrick skin 
type. 

 
 
 
 
 
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7. Conduct clinical assessments: 
a. IGA for the face (Table 4).  IGA assessments should always be done prior to lesion 
counts. 
b. Count inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on the face and, if applicable, on 
chest and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). These counts should be 
recorded separately for the face and, if applicable, chest and/or back (including 
shoulders) for selected site(s). 
c. Local cutaneous safety evaluation for dryness, non-lesional erythema, and peeling. The 
investigator should also ask the subject if any burning, stinging, or itching has occurred 
on the face in the last 14 days. These evaluations should be recorded separately for the 
face and, if applicable, chest and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). 
8. Administer the CADI questionnaire. 
9. The independent third party study medication dispenser will perform the following 
procedures:  
a) Assign a subject number using the subject kit #. Randomize subject by using the lowest 
available number of study kit at the study site. 
b) Weigh and then dispense 2 bottles or 1 tube of study product (depending on the 
treatment assignment) to subjects. For the selected site(s) who will enroll subjects with 
acne on the chest and/or back, weigh and dispense 4 bottles or 2 tubes of study product. 
The tear-off panel is to be affixed to the source document and filed in subject’s chart. 
Instruct subject on study product use. Review the Subject Instructions with subject. 
Instruct subject to not discuss study product with Investigator or other study staff. 
c) Supervise the first application of study product at the site to ensure that it is done 
correctly. 
d) Remind subject to bring all bottles or tubes of study product to next visit. 
e) Dispense and review use of diary. Remind subject to report missed applications and/or 
potential AEs as well as any medication used in the diary and to bring diary to each visit. 
10. Schedule next visit. 
11. Complete eCRF for randomized subjects. For every screen failure subject, record the subject 
number, date of visit, date of consent, reason for screen failure, and study status (screen 
failure) in the eCRF. 
 
7.10.3 Visit 3 – Week 4/Day 28 (Visit Window ± 3 Days) 
1. Evaluate treatment and protocol compliance and record any deviations. This includes a 
review of the diary card for number of applications and missed applications. 
2. Conduct clinical assessments: 
a. IGA for the face (Table 4).  IGA assessments should always be done prior to lesion 
counts. 
b. Count inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on face and, if applicable, on chest 

 
 
 
 
 
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and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). These counts should be recorded 
separately for the face and, if applicable, chest and/or back (including shoulders) for  
selected site(s). 
c. Local cutaneous safety evaluation for dryness, non-lesional erythema, and peeling. The 
investigator should also ask the subject if any burning, stinging, or itching has occurred 
on the face since the last visit. These evaluations should be recorded separately for the 
face and, if applicable, chest and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). 
3. Administer the CADI questionnaire. 
4. Collect vital signs (blood pressure and pulse). 
5. Conduct a urine pregnancy test for all females. 
6. Collect AE data. This includes a review of the diary card for potential AEs.   
7. Update concomitant medications data. 
8. The independent third party study medication dispenser will perform the following 
procedures:  
a) Dispense diary and review instructions. Remind subject to bring all bottles or tubes of 
study product to each visit.  
b)  Weigh and then dispense study product, 1 new bottle or 1 new tube, and collect used 
bottles or tubes.  For the selected site(s) who will enroll subjects with acne on the chest 
and/or back, weigh and dispense, or 3 bottles or 2 tubes of study product. Weigh bottles 
or tubes when they are collected.  Redispense old bottles/tubes as needed. Instruct 
subject to not discuss study product with Investigator or other study staff.  
9. Schedule next visit.  
10. Complete eCRF.  
 
7.10.4 Visit 4 - Week 8/Day 56 (Visit Window ± 5 Days) 
1. Evaluate treatment and protocol compliance and record any deviations. This includes a 
review of the diary card for number of applications and missed applications. 
2. Conduct clinical assessments: 
a. IGA for the face (Table 4).  IGA assessments should always be done prior to lesion 
counts. 
b. Count inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on face, and, if applicable, on chest 
and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). These counts should be recorded 
separately for the face and, if applicable, chest and/or back (including shoulders) for 
selected site(s). 
c. Local cutaneous safety evaluation for dryness, non-lesional erythema, and peeling. The 
investigator should also ask the subject if any burning, stinging, or itching has occurred 
on the face since the last visit. These evaluations should be recorded separately for the 
face and, if applicable, chest and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). 

 
 
 
 
 
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3. Administer the CADI questionnaire. 
4. Collect vital signs (blood pressure and pulse).  
5. Conduct a urine pregnancy test for all female subjects. 
6. Collect AE data. This includes a review of the diary card for potential AEs.   
7. Update concomitant medications data. 
8. The independent third party study medication dispenser will perform the following 
procedures: 
a) Dispense diary and review instructions. Remind subject to bring all bottles or tubes of 
study product to each visit.  
b) Weigh and then dispense study product, 1 new bottle or 1 new tube, and collect used 
bottles or tubes. For the selected site(s) who enroll subjects with acne on the chest and/or 
back, weigh and dispense 3 bottles or 2 tubes of study product to subjects. Weigh bottles 
or tubes when they are collected. Redispense old bottles/tubes as needed. Instruct subject 
to not discuss study product with Investigator or other study staff.  
9. Schedule next visit.  
10. Complete eCRF.  
 
7.10.5 Visit 5 – Week 12/Day 84/ End of Treatment (Visit Window ± 5 Days) 
1. Evaluate treatment and protocol compliance and record any deviations. This includes a 
review of the diary card for number of applications and missed applications. 
2. Conduct clinical assessments: 
a. IGA for face (Table 4).  IGA assessments should always be done prior to lesion counts. 
b. Count inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions on face and, if applicable, on chest 
and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). These counts should be recorded 
separately for the face and, if applicable, chest and/or back (including shoulders) for 
selected site(s). 
c. Local cutaneous safety evaluation for dryness, non-lesional erythema, and peeling. The 
investigator should also ask the subject if any burning, stinging, or itching has occurred 
on the face since the last visit.  In addition, overall cutaneous tolerance should be 
graded at the Week 12 visit, or the last visit if earlier, using the grading shown in Table 
11. These evaluations should be recorded separately for the face and, if applicable, 
chest and/or back (including shoulders) for selected site(s). 
3. Administer the CADI questionnaire. 
4. Perform physical examination. 
5. Collect vital signs (blood pressure, pulse). 
6. Collect AE data. This includes a review of the diary card for potential AEs.   
7. Update concomitant medications data. 

 
 
 
 
 
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8. Conduct a urine pregnancy test for all female subjects. 
9. The independent third party study medication dispenser will perform the following 
procedures: 
a) Collect study diary. 
b) Collect and weigh all study product bottles or tubes. 
10. Complete eCRF.  
 
7.10.6 Unscheduled Visit (If Applicable) 
Conduct the following, as needed. 
1. Evaluate treatment and protocol compliance and record any deviations. 
2. Collect vital signs (blood pressure and pulse). 
3. Collect AE data. This includes a review of the diary card for potential AEs.   
4. Update concomitant medications data. 
5. The independent third party study medication dispenser will weigh and then dispense/re-
dispense, collect and weigh study product, as needed. 
6. Conduct a urine pregnancy test for all females. 
7. Complete eCRF. 
 
8 
ADVERSE EVENTS 
Adverse events will be collected by spontaneous reports from subjects, either verbal or recorded 
in the subject diary, by directed questioning of subjects, and by observation.   
The most common frequently reported adverse reactions during clinical trials with tazarotene 
cream 0.1% for the treatment of acne were desquamation, dry skin, erythema, and burning 
sensation, occurring in 10% to 30% of subjects. Adverse reactions occurring in 1% to 5% of 
treated subjects included pruritus, irritation, face pain, and stinging.  
The investigator is to pay special attention at each visit to any signs of clinically significant 
dryness, non-lesional erythema, and peeling and report as an AE subsequent to the Baseline 
Visit if worse than at Baseline. 
An AE is any untoward medical occurrence in a subject participating in a clinical trial. The 
event does not necessarily have to have a causal relationship with the study product. An AE can 
therefore be any sign, symptom, or disease, or any worsening of an existing sign, symptom, or 
disease, whether or not considered related to the study product or trial procedures, including 
injuries.   
Any medical condition that is present at the time of Screening or Baseline should be considered 
as medical history and reported on the medical history eCRF and should not be reported as an 
AE except for AEs observed at the Baseline Visit due to study procedures performed at the 
Screening visit, which should be reported. Anticipated day-to-day fluctuations of pre-existing 
conditions should not be reported as AEs. Unexpected worsening of pre-existing conditions 
should be reported as AEs. The disease or condition being studied or expected progression, 

 
 
 
 
 
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signs, or symptoms of the disease or condition being studied such as worsening of acne should 
not be reported as an AE unless it is more severe than expected, results in discontinuation from 
the study or requires alternative therapy. 
All serious adverse events (SAEs), all study product-related events, and all AEs leading to study 
product discontinuation must be followed until the clinical outcome is determined or until all 
attempts to determine resolution of the event are exhausted (not recovered is not an acceptable 
outcome for acute conditions). For other AEs, the status at the last visit can be entered into the 
eCRF. 
 
8.1 
Adverse Event Reporting Period 
Adverse event data must be collected from the time treatment is initiated until study product 
treatment is discontinued except for spontaneously reported SAEs, which should be reported up 
to 30 days after discontinuing study product use and entered into the eCRF. Adverse events 
occurring from the time of the Screening Visit until the Baseline Visit associated with study 
procedures should also be reported for all subjects, including screen failures. 
 
8.2 
Recording Adverse Events 
The investigator will record all AEs, regardless of relationship to study product on the AE 
eCRF. Standard medical terminology should be used when describing AEs. Whenever possible 
a diagnosis should be made and recorded on the eCRF rather than listing signs and symptoms. 
Intermittent AEs can be recorded once. The anatomical location of the AE must be specified 
when applicable. The following information should be recorded on the eCRF: 
 
1. Description, including whether on treated area or not 
2. Start date 
3. Stop date or date of death, ongoing, or unknown 
4. Severity of the event (see Section 8.3.1 Severity for details) 
5. Study product use continued or not 
6. Outcome of the event (recovered/resolved, recovered/resolved with sequelae, not 
recovered/not resolved, unknown, fatal) 
7. Relationship to study product (see Section 8.3.2 Relationship to Study Product 
[Causality] for details) 
8. Indication of whether the event is serious (see Section 8.3.3 Seriousness for details) 
9. Actions taken including treatment with concomitant medication 
 
Vital Signs Variables 
Vital signs (except at Visits 1 & 2) should be reported as AEs if they are considered to be 
clinically significant, as per the Investigator’s judgment.  
 
8.3 
Assessment of Adverse Events 
8.3.1 Severity 
It is the investigator's responsibility to assess the severity of each AE. Descriptions of severity 
are as follows: 

 
 
 
 
 
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1. Mild:  Awareness of sign or symptom, but easily tolerated. Not likely to interfere with 
normal activity or require medical attention. 
 
2. Moderate:  Discomfort enough to cause interference with usual activity. May require 
medical intervention. 
 
3. Severe:  Incapacitating such that normal activity is prevented. Likely requires medical 
intervention and/or close follow-up. 
 
8.3.2 Relationship to Study Product (Causality) 
It is the investigator’s responsibility to assess the relationship between the study product and the 
AE. The degree of “relatedness” of the AE to the study product should be described using the 
following categories: 
 
1. Not Related: The event is clearly due to extraneous causes (e.g., diseases, environment, 
etc.). Specify if known. Or, the event is most probably produced by other factors such as 
the subject’s clinical state, therapeutic interventions, or concomitant therapy and does 
not follow a known response pattern to the study product. 
2. Possibly Related: The event is temporally related to study product use but can be 
explained by another etiology. Information on the effect of study product withdrawal 
may be lacking. 
3. Probably Related: The event is temporally related to study product use and is consistent 
with known effects of the study product and/or improves upon withdrawal of the study 
product.  
4. Definitely Related: The event follows a reasonable temporal sequence from the time of 
study product administration and/or follows a known response pattern to the study 
product, and could not have been produced by other factors such as the subject’s clinical 
state, therapeutic intervention, or concomitant therapy, and either occurs immediately  
following study product administration or improves on stopping the product, or there is a 
positive reaction at the application site. 
 
8.3.3 Seriousness 
It is the investigator’s responsibility to determine the “seriousness” of an AE. A serious adverse 
event (SAE) is any AE occurring at any dose that results in any of the following outcomes: 
1. Death 
2. Life-threatening (subject at immediate risk of death) 
3. Inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization 
4. Results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity 
5. Results in congenital anomaly/birth defect 
Important medical events that may not result in death, are not life-threatening, or do not require 
hospitalization may be considered an SAE when, based upon appropriate medical judgment, 
they may jeopardize the subject and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one 
of the outcomes listed above. Examples of such medical events include allergic bronchospasm 

 
 
 
 
 
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requiring intensive treatment in an emergency room or at home, blood dyscrasias or convulsions 
that do not result in inpatient hospitalization, or the development of drug dependency or drug 
abuse. 
 
8.4 
Reporting Serious Adverse Events 
SAE information must be faxed or emailed within 24 hours of becoming aware of the event. The 
minimum initial information required to be reported on the Serious Adverse Event Form is: the 
subject number, subject initials, the event, the causality, the date of the event, and the name of 
the person reporting the event. This initial report should be promptly followed up with a 
completed Serious Adverse Event Form.  
 
Serious Adverse Events: Shahida Hasan, MD, MS 
 
Associate Director 
 
Clinical Pharmacovigilance, NA 
 
Fax:   
908-450-1510 
 
Email:   
SAE@drreddys.com 
The initial information must include a causality assessment that is provided by the primary 
investigator or other medically qualified individual. The causality assessment can be amended 
as more information is available. Significant new information about ongoing SAEs should be 
reported promptly to the sponsor. 
Serious adverse events will be evaluated by the medical monitor within 24 hours of receipt and 
plans for management and further reporting (i.e., FDA) determined. 
It is the responsibility of the CRO, Symbio LLC, to promptly notify the IRB and other 
Investigators involved in this study about serious and unexpected SAEs for which there is a 
reasonable possibility of their being related to the investigational product. 
Follow-up of Serious Adverse Events 
All follow-up reports will be subject to the same reporting timelines as the Initial Reports. 
Within 24 hours of receipt of new information, the updated follow-up SAE form, along with any 
supporting documentation (e.g., patient discharge summary or autopsy reports), should be faxed 
or emailed to the Sponsor. 
 
8.5 
Discontinuation Due to an Adverse Event 
The sponsor must be notified within 5 days if any subject is withdrawn or discontinues study 
product use due to an AE if the event is related to the study product (see title page for contact 
information).   
 
8.6 
Exposure in utero (Pregnancy) 
If a female subject becomes pregnant during the study, study product must be discontinued 
immediately and she must be followed through the pregnancy and delivery. The investigator 
should report the event to the sponsor immediately (see contact information on title page) and 
complete the Pregnancy Report Form. The expected date of delivery or expected date of the end 
of the pregnancy should be included in this information. The investigator is instructed to contact 

 
 
 
 
 
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the subject every 3 months until the end of her pregnancy and report the outcome to the sponsor. 
Details of the pregnancy, delivery and health of the infant should be recorded on the Pregnancy 
Report Form.  
The following outcomes of pregnancy fall under the criteria for SAEs and should be reported as 
such: delivery complications prolonging hospitalization, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, death 
of newborn baby, congenital anomaly, and anomaly in a miscarried fetus.  
 
9 
DATA HANDLING AND RECORD KEEPING 
9.1 
Confidentiality 
Information about study subjects will be kept confidential and managed according to the 
requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This regulation 
requires a signed authorization informing the subject of the following:  
• What protected health information (PHI) will be collected from subjects in this study 
• Who will have access to that information and why 
• Who will use or disclose that information 
• The rights of a research subject to revoke their authorization for use/disclosure of their 
PHI.  
• Expiration of authorization 
If a subject revokes authorization to collect and use PHI, the investigator, by regulation, retains 
the ability to use all information collected prior to the revocation of authorization. For subjects 
who have revoked authorization to collect and use PHI, attempts should be made to obtain  
permission to collect at least vital status (i.e., that the subject is alive) at the end of their 
scheduled study period. 
 
9.2 
Source Documents 
Investigators must keep accurate separate records (other than eCRFs) of all subject visits that 
include all pertinent study-related information, including original signed/dated informed 
consent/assent forms. Source documents for this study include all written records of study data. 
All study data must have a paper source document, including investigator assessments.   
 
9.3 
Screening/Enrollment Log 
A subject Screening/Enrollment Log, noting reasons for screen failure where applicable, must 
be maintained for all subjects who are consented. The log should also include subject initials, 
screening date, subject number, and date of enrollment, which is when ICF is signed, where 
applicable.   
 
9.4 
Case Report Forms 
Database set-up will be performed by Symbio in collaboration with the electronic data capture 
(EDC) vendor, using an appropriate fully validated, 21 CFR Part 11 compliant EDC system. 
eCRFs will be provided to each site via a secured web link. All applicable study data collected 

 
 
 
 
 
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on each subject will be recorded by approved site personnel into the eCRF. Only authorized site 
personnel will be able to enter/modify/correct data to the eCRF. 
Approved staff at Symbio will verify all data entered into eCRFs for completeness and accuracy 
with reference to the source documents and records and will issue manual data queries to correct 
missing data or discrepancies found against the source within the EDC system. 
Data validation will consist of automated and manual edit checks that are created directly into 
the EDC. Automated edit checks will be executed on all data points defined and documented by 
the study team and data management. Study metrics will be reported from the EDC system. 
After all data have been verified by approved staff at Symbio, an investigator or sub-investigator 
(listed on Form FDA 1572) is required to review and approve all eCRFs prior to database lock 
and breaking of the blind.  
After database lock, each site will receive the eCRF data for their site in an electronic format for 
local archival purposes. 
Quality assurance verification via a 10% database audit of eCRF data will be conducted before 
database lock and before the treatment assignment code is broken. 
 
9.5 
Archiving of Study Documentation 
The investigator must retain study records for 2 years following the date a marketing application 
is approved for the investigational product; or, if the application is not filed or is not approved, 
until 2 years after the investigation is discontinued and the FDA is notified. 
The sponsor will inform the investigator, in writing, as to when these documents no longer need 
to be maintained. 
All study documents, original source documents, correspondence, IRB documents, etc. are 
subject to sponsor and FDA inspection at any time.  
 
10 MONITORING AND DATA QUALITY ASSURANCE 
Only persons who are appropriately trained and who have the scientific and clinical knowledge 
to adequately monitor the study will be selected for monitoring this study. The monitor must 
have at least 1 year of previous experience in monitoring clinical studies. The monitor should be 
familiar with the etiology and signs and symptoms of acne and the treatment options that are 
currently available.   
Before study initiation, the investigator and site personnel will receive protocol training from 
the sponsor’s representatives to ensure collection of accurate, consistent, complete, and reliable 
data. This training will take place either at a web-based Investigator Meeting or individually 
on-site. 
During the course of the study, a monitor will make multiple site visits to check the progress of 
the study, review consent forms, review protocol compliance, assess drug accountability, and 
ensure that the study is being conducted according to the protocol and GCP. Any review of the 
subjects’ original medical records will be performed in a manner to ensure that subject 
confidentiality is maintained. The investigator will ensure that the monitor or other compliance 
auditor is given access to all study-related documents and has adequate time and space to 

 
 
 
 
 
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conduct the monitoring visit including availability of the investigator and site personnel to 
discuss findings. 
Data capture methods will be designed to ensure accurate transfer of data to electronic media.  
The sponsor’s Quality Assurance representative may conduct QA audits randomly or if needed 
at 5% to 10% of the investigator sites. 
 
11 STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 
All statistical processing will be performed using SAS® unless otherwise stated. Efficacy 
analyses will be performed using both the intent-to-treat (ITT) population and the per-protocol 
(PP) population. Safety analyses will be performed on the safety population (all subjects who 
receive study product and provide any post-baseline safety information). Study populations are 
defined in Section 11.2. 
A Statistical Analysis Plan, describing all statistical analyses, will be provided as a separate 
document prior to database lock and unblinding of the study treatments. 
 
11.1 Sample Size 
The sample size is not powered to obtain statistical significance, but is expected to provide an 
estimate on comparability of local tolerability/safety of DFD-03 versus Tazorac Cream and their 
respective Vehicles. 
 
11.2 Analysis Data Sets 
11.2.1 Safety Population 
All subjects who receive at least one confirmed dose of study product and provide any post-
baseline safety information will be included in the safety population. No imputation will be 
made for missing safety data. 
 
11.2.2 Intent-to-Treat 
The ITT population consists of all subjects who are randomized and dispensed study 
medication.  
11.2.3 Per-Protocol 
The PP population will include all subjects in the ITT population who complete the Week 12 
evaluation without any major protocol violations (i.e., any subject or investigator activity that 
could have possibly interfered with the therapeutic administration of the treatment or the precise 
evaluation of treatment efficacy).  
Specifically, the PP population will include subjects in the ITT population who meet all of the 
following criteria: 
1. Subject met all inclusion/exclusion criteria. 
2. Subject did not take any prohibited concomitant medications during the evaluation 
period. The concomitant medication usage will be reviewed during the population 
determination review, remaining blinded to treatment designation, to determine 

 
 
 
 
 
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prohibited medication usage that warrants exclusion from the PP population if they 
met the entrance criteria without any protocol violations. This review will take into 
consideration the timing, duration of treatment with the concomitant medication, and 
influence on the efficacy and safety assessments prior to deeming a prohibited 
concomitant medication as a protocol violation that warrants exclusion from PP. 
3. Completed the Week 12 visit within the allowed window. 
4. Subject was compliant with the dosing regimen. A subject will be considered 
compliant if the subject applied at least 80% but no more than 120% of the expected 
applications during the entire evaluation period.  
Subjects who prematurely discontinue from the study due to documented lack of efficacy, 
worsening condition, or a treatment-related AE will be included in the PP population.  
Other additional criteria may be added to the list to accommodate for unforeseen events that 
occurred during the conduct of the trial that result in noteworthy study protocol violations. 
These criteria will be documented with appropriate signature at the time subject populations are 
finalized, prior to database lock. 
 
11.3 Demographic and Baseline Data 
Subject demographic and baseline characteristics will be summarized descriptively by treatment 
group for the ITT, Safety, and PP populations.  
 
11.4 Efficacy Analyses  
The following efficacy variables will be summarized using descriptive statistics for both the ITT 
and PP populations. 
• The IGA success rate at Week 12 (an IGA score of 0 (Clear) or 1 (almost clear) with at 
least a 2-grade reduction from baseline) 
• Absolute change from baseline in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts on 
the face at the Week 12 visit. 
• Percent change from Baseline to Week 12 in inflammatory lesion counts on the face  
• Change from Baseline to Week 12 in CADI 
For missing IGA and lesion counts in the ITT population, the primary handling method will be 
the multiple imputation (MI) approach via regression. In details, the MI regression model will 
include the following predictors in the model: treatment, age, gender, baseline inflammatory 
lesion counts, baseline non-inflammatory lesion counts, and the results of the same variable 
from previous visits. The average score of the MI copies will be used to calculate the summary 
statistics. 
Note that if a subject withdraws early from the study, his efficacy assessments captured at the 
early termination visit will be assigned to the nearest corresponding scheduled visit that has 
been missed. 
For the PP population, number of subjects who are discontinued prematurely due to documented 
lack of efficacy, worsening condition, or a treatment-related AE is expected to be small. For 
these subjects the efficacy data from their termination visit will be assigned to the nearest 

 
 
 
 
 
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corresponding scheduled visit that has been missed, and carried forward to the subsequent visits 
for the analysis. 
 
11.5 Safety Analyses 
11.5.1 Extent of Exposure 
The extent of exposure to study product on the face in each treatment group will be summarized 
as the total number of applications and number and percentage of subjects who are compliant 
for the Baseline to Week 12 evaluation period. A subject will be considered compliant with the 
dosing regimen if the subject has applied at least 80% but no more than 120% of the expected 
applications for the respective evaluation period. The total number of applications will be taken 
from the subject diaries. The number and percentage of subjects who use study product for less 
than 28 days, 28 to 56 days, 57 to 84 days and more than 84 days will be summarized. 
 
11.5.2 Local Cutaneous Safety Evaluation 
Non-lesional erythema, peeling, dryness, burning, stinging, and itching scores will be 
summarized by treatment group and visit including sample size, frequency count and percentage 
for each visit. A similar summary will be provided excluding subjects with signs or symptoms 
present at Baseline. 
 
11.5.3 Adverse Events 
All AEs occurring during the study will be recorded and classified on the basis of Medical 
Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terminology. Treatment-emergent adverse 
events (TEAEs) are AEs with an onset on or after the date of the first study product 
administration. For the safety population, all reported TEAEs will be summarized by treatment 
group, the number and percent of subjects reporting events, system organ class (SOC), preferred 
term (PT), severity, relationship to study product, and seriousness. When summarizing TEAEs 
by causality and severity, each subject will be counted only once within a system organ class or 
a preferred term by using the event with the greatest relationship and highest severity within 
each classification. 
Additionally, treatment-related TEAEs will be summarized for each treatment group by SOC 
and PT, and further by severity. A TEAE will be considered treatment-related if it is reported as 
possibly, probably, or definitely related to study treatment.  
SAEs will be listed by subject. In addition, a list of subjects who prematurely discontinued from 
the study due to an AE will be provided. 
All information pertaining to AEs noted during the study will be listed by subject, detailing 
verbatim term given by the investigator, preferred term, system organ class, onset date, 
resolution date, maximum severity, seriousness, action taken regarding study product, corrective 
treatment, outcome, and drug relatedness. The event onset will also be shown relative (in 
number of days) to date of first administration. 
AEs related to study procedures done before study product administration will be provided in a 
data listing. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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11.5.4 Physical Examination 
Changes from Baseline in physical examination findings will be summarized by treatment group 
at the Week 12 visit using descriptive statistics. 
 
11.5.5 Vital signs 
Changes from Baseline in vital signs (blood pressure and pulse) will be summarized by 
treatment group at each evaluation visit using descriptive statistics.  
 
11.5.6 Safety Laboratory Values 
Urine pregnancy tests will be performed at all visits, and results will be provided in a data 
listing.  
 
11.6 Analysis of Drug Concentrations 
None 
 
12 REFERENCES 
Chandraratna R. Tazarotene – first of a new generation of receptor-selective retinoids. Br J Dermatol 
1996;135 Suppl 49:18-25.  
 
Fabior (tazarotene) Foam, 0.1%. Prescribing Information. Stiefel Laboratories, 2013. 
 
Fitzpatrick TB. The validity and practicality of sun-reactive skin types I through VI. Arch 
Dermatol. 1988;124 (6):869–871. 
 
Menter A. Pharmacokinetics and safety of tazarotene. J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:S31-35. 
 
Shalita A, Berson D, Thiboutot D, Leyden J, Parizadeh D, Sefton J, Walker P, Gibson J. Effects 
of tazarotene 0.01% cream in the treatment of facial acne vulgaris: pooled results from two 
multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group trials. Clin Ther 2004; 
26(11):1865-1873 
 
Tazorac (tazarotene) Cream, 0.05%/0.1%. Prescribing Information. Allergan, 2013. 

 
 
 
 
 
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APPENDIX 1: DECLARATION OF HELSINKI (2013) 
Adopted by the 18th WMA General Assembly, Helsinki, Finland, June 1964, and amended by the: 
29th WMA General Assembly, Tokyo, Japan, October 1975 
35th WMA General Assembly, Venice, Italy, October 1983 
41st WMA General Assembly, Hong Kong, September 1989 
48th WMA General Assembly, Somerset West, Republic of South Africa, October 1996 
52nd WMA General Assembly, Edinburgh, Scotland, October 2000  
53rd WMA General Assembly, Washington 2002 (Note of Clarification on paragraph 29 added) 
55th WMA General Assembly, Tokyo 2004 (Note of Clarification on Paragraph 30 added) 
59th WMA General Assembly, Seoul, October 2008 
64th WMA General Assembly, Fortaleza, Brazil, October 2013 
A. PREAMBLE  
1. The World Medical Association (WMA) has developed the Declaration of Helsinki as a statement of 
ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects, including research on identifiable 
human material and data.  
The Declaration is intended to be read as a whole and each of its constituent paragraphs should be 
applied with consideration of all other relevant paragraphs.  
2. Consistent with the mandate of the WMA, the Declaration is addressed primarily to physicians. The 
WMA encourages others who are involved in medical research involving human subjects to adopt 
these principles.  
B. GENERAL PRINCIPLES 
3. The Declaration of Geneva of the WMA binds the physician with the words, “The health of my 
patient will be my first consideration,” and the international Code of Medical Ethics declares that “A 
physician shall act in the patient’s best interest when providing medical care.” 
4. It is the duty of the physician to promote and safeguard the health, well-being and rights of patients, 
including those who are involved in medical research. The physician's knowledge and conscience are 
dedicated to the fulfillment of this duty.  
5. Medical progress is based on research that ultimately must include studies involving human subjects.   
6. The primary purpose of medical research involving human subjects is to understand the causes, 
development and effects of diseases and improve preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions 
(methods, procedures and treatments). Even the best current interventions must be evaluated 
continually through research for their safety, effectiveness, efficiency, accessibility and quality.  
7. Medical research is subject to ethical standards that promote and ensure respect for all human subjects 
and protect their health and rights. 
8. While the primary purpose of medical research is to generate new knowledge, this goal can never take 
precedence over the rights and interests of individual research subjects. 
9. It is the duty of physicians who are involved in medical research to protect the life, health, dignity, 
integrity, right to self-determination, privacy, and confidentiality of personal information of research 
subjects. The responsibility for the protection of research subjects must always rest with the physician 
or other health care professionals and never with the research subjects, even though they have given 
consent.  
10. Physicians must consider the ethical, legal and regulatory norms and standards for research involving 
human subjects in their own countries as well as applicable international norms and standards. No 
national or international ethical, legal or regulatory requirement should reduce or eliminate any of the 
protections for research subjects set forth in this Declaration. 
11. Medical research should be conducted in a manner that minimizes possible harm to the environment. 
12. Medical research involving human subjects must be conducted only by individuals with the 
appropriate ethics and scientific education, training and qualifications. Research on patients or healthy 

 
 
 
 
 
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volunteers requires the supervision of a competent and appropriately qualified physician or other 
health care professional.  
13. Groups that are underrepresented in medical research should be provided appropriate access to 
participation in research. 
14. Physicians who combine medical research with medical care should involve their patients in research 
only to the extent that this is justified by its potential preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic value and if 
the physician has good reason to believe that participation in the research study will not adversely 
affect the health of the patients who serve as research subjects. 
15. Appropriate compensation and treatment for subjects who are harmed as a result of participating in 
research must be ensured.  
C. RISK, BURDENS AND BENEFITS 
16. In medical practice and in medical research, most interventions involve risks and burdens.  
Medical research involving human subjects may only be conducted if the importance of the objective 
outweighs the risks and burdens to the research subjects. 
17. All medical research involving human subjects must be preceded by careful assessment of predictable 
risks and burdens to the individuals and groups involved in the research in comparison with 
foreseeable benefits to them and to other individuals or groups affected by the condition under 
investigation. 
Measures to minimize the risks must be implemented. The risks must be continuously monitored, 
assessed and documented by the researcher. 
18. Physicians may not be involved in a research study involving human subjects unless they are 
confident that the risks have been adequately assessed and can be satisfactorily managed. 
When the risks are found to outweigh the potential benefits or when there is conclusive proof of 
definitive outcomes, physicians must assess whether to continue, modify or immediately stop the 
study. 
D. VULNERABLE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS   
19. Some groups and individuals are particularly vulnerable and may have an increased likelihood of 
being wronged or of incurring additional harm. 
 
All vulnerable groups and individuals should receive specifically considered protection. 
 
20. Medical Research with a vulnerable group is only justified if the research is responsive to the health 
needs or priorities of this group and the research cannot be carried out in a non-vulnerable group. In 
addition, this group should stand to benefit from the knowledge, practices or interventions that result 
from the research. 
 
E. SCIENTIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND RESEARCH PROTOCOLS 
 
21. Medical research involving human subjects must conform to generally accepted scientific principles, 
be based on a thorough knowledge of the scientific literature, other relevant sources of information, 
and adequate laboratory and, as appropriate, animal experimentation. The welfare of animals used for 
research must be respected. 
 
22. The design and performance of each research study involving human subjects must be clearly 
described and justified in a research protocol. The protocol should contain a statement of the ethical 
considerations involved and should indicate how the principles in this Declaration have been 
addressed. The protocol should include information regarding funding, sponsors, institutional 
affiliations, potential conflicts of interest, incentives for subjects and information regarding provisions 
for treating and/or compensating subjects who are harmed as a consequence of participation in the 

 
 
 
 
 
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research study. In clinical trials, the protocol must also describe appropriate arrangements for post-
trial provisions.   
 
F. RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEES 
 
23. The research protocol must be submitted for consideration, comment, guidance and approval to the 
concerned research ethics committee before the study begins. This committee must be transparent in 
its functioning, must be independent of the researcher, the sponsor and any other undue influence and 
must be duly qualified. It must take into consideration the laws and regulations of the country or 
countries in which the research is to be performed as well as applicable international norms and 
standards but these must not be allowed to reduce or eliminate any of the protections for research 
subjects set forth in this Declaration. The committee must have the right to monitor ongoing studies. 
The researcher must provide monitoring information to the committee, especially information about 
any serious adverse events. No amendment to the protocol may be made without consideration and 
approval by the committee. After the end of the study, the researchers must submit a final report to the 
committee containing a summary of the study’s findings and conclusions.  
 
G. PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY 
 
24. Every precaution must be taken to protect the privacy of research subjects and the confidentiality of 
their personal information. 
 
H. INFORMED CONSENT 
 
25. Participation by individuals capable of giving informed consent as subjects in medical research must 
be voluntary. Although it may be appropriate to consult family members or community leaders, no 
individual capable of giving informed consent may be enrolled in a research study unless he or she 
freely agrees. 
26. In medical research involving human subjects capable of giving informed consent, each potential 
subject must be adequately informed of the aims, methods, sources of funding, any possible conflicts 
of interest, institutional affiliations of the researcher, the anticipated benefits and potential risks of the 
study and the discomfort it may entail, post-study provisions and any other  relevant aspects of the 
study. The potential subject must be informed of the right to refuse to participate in the study or to 
withdraw consent to participate at any time without reprisal. Special attention should be given to the 
specific information needs of individual potential subjects as well as to the methods used to deliver 
the information. After ensuring that the potential subject has understood the information, the 
physician or another appropriately qualified individual must then seek the potential subject's freely-
given informed consent, preferably in writing. If the consent cannot be expressed in writing, the non-
written consent must be formally documented and witnessed. All medical research subjects should be 
given the option of being informed about the general outcome and results of the study.  
27. When seeking informed consent for participation in a research study the physician should be 
particularly cautious if the potential subject is in a dependent relationship with the physician or may 
consent under duress. In such situations the informed consent should be sought by an appropriately 
qualified individual who is completely independent of this relationship.  
28. For a potential research subject who is incapable of giving informed consent, the physician must seek 
informed consent from the legally authorized representative. These individuals must not be included 
in a research study that has no likelihood of benefit for them unless it is intended to promote the 
health of the group represented by the potential subject, the research cannot instead be performed with 
persons capable of providing informed consent, and the research entails only minimal risk and 
minimal burden.  
29. When a potential research subject who is deemed incapable of giving informed consent is able to give 
assent to decisions about participation in research, the physician must seek that assent in addition to 

 
 
 
 
 
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the consent of the legally authorized representative. The potential subject's dissent should be 
respected.  
30. Research involving subjects who are physically or mentally incapable of giving consent, for example, 
unconscious patients, may be done only if the physical or mental condition that prevents giving 
informed consent is a necessary characteristic of the research group. In such circumstances the 
physician must seek informed consent from the legally authorized representative. If no such 
representative is available and if the research cannot be delayed, the study may proceed without 
informed consent provided that the specific reasons for involving subjects with a condition that 
renders them unable to give informed consent have been stated in the research protocol and the study 
has been approved by a research ethics committee. Consent to remain in the research should be 
obtained as soon as possible from the subject or a legally authorized representative.  
31. The physician must fully inform the patient which aspects of their care are related to the research. The 
refusal of a patient to participate in a study or the patient’s decision to withdraw from the study must 
never adversely affect the patient-physician relationship. 
32. For medical research using identifiable human material or data, such as research on material or data 
contained in biobanks or similar repositories, physicians must seek informed consent for its collection, 
storage and/or reuse. There may be exceptional situations where consent would be impossible or 
impracticable to obtain for such research. In such situations the research may be done only after 
consideration and approval of a research ethics committee. 
I. 
USE OF PLACEBO 
33. The benefits, risks, burdens and effectiveness of a new intervention must be tested against those of the 
best proven intervention(s), except in the following circumstances: 
a. 
Where no proven intervention exists, the use of placebo, or no intervention, is acceptable; or 
b. Where for compelling and scientifically sound methodological reasons the use of any 
intervention less effective than the best proven one, the use of placebo, or no intervention is 
necessary to determine the efficacy or safety of an intervention and the patients who receive 
any intervention less effective than the best proven one, placebo, or no intervention will not 
be subject to additional risks of serious or irreversible harm as a result of no receiving the 
best proven intervention. Extreme care must be taken to avoid abuse of this option. 
J. 
POST-TRIAL PROVISIONS 
34. In advance of a clinical trial, sponsors, researchers and host country governments should make 
provisions for post-trial access for all participants who still need an intervention identified as 
beneficial in the trial. This information must also be disclosed to participants during the informed 
consent process. 
K. RESEARCH REGISTRATION AND PUBLICATION AND DISSEMINATION OF RESULTS 
35. Every research study involving human subjects must be registered in a publicly accessible database 
before recruitment of the first subject.  
36. Researchers, authors, sponsors, editors and publishers all have ethical obligations with regard to the 
publication and dissemination of the results of research. Researchers have a duty to make publicly 
available the results of their research on human subjects and are accountable for the completeness and 
accuracy of their reports. All parties should adhere to accepted guidelines for ethical reporting. 
Negative and inconclusive as well as positive results must be published or otherwise made publicly 
available. Sources of funding, institutional affiliations and conflicts of interest should be declared in 
the publication. Reports of research not in accordance with the principles of this Declaration should 
not be accepted for publication. 
37. In the treatment of an individual patient, where proven interventions do not exist or other known 
interventions have been ineffective, the physician, after seeking expert advice, with informed consent 
from the patient or a legally authorized representative, may use an unproven intervention if in the 
physician's judgment it offers hope of saving life, re-establishing health or alleviating suffering. This 

 
 
 
 
 
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intervention should subsequently be made the object of research, designed to evaluate its safety and 
efficacy. In all cases, new information must be recorded and, where appropriate, made publicly 
available.   October 2013 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
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APPENDIX 2: THE CARDIFF ACNE DISABILITY INDEX (CADI) 
 
 
© Cardiff Acne Disability Index. R J Motley, A Y Finlay 1992 
 
 
1.  As a result of having acne, during the last month 
have you been aggressive, frustrated or 
embarrassed? 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Very much indeed 
(b) A lot 
(c) A little 
(d) Not at all 
 
 
2. Do you think that having acne during the last 
month interfered with your daily social life, social 
events or relationships with members of the 
opposite sex? 
 
 
 
 
(a) Severely, affecting all activities 
(b) Moderately, in most activities 
(c) Occasionally or in only some activities 
(d) Not at all 
 
 
3. During the last month have you avoided public 
changing facilities or wearing swimming costumes 
because of your acne? 
 
 
 
 
(a) All of the time 
(b) Most of the time 
(c) Occasionally 
(d) Not at all 
 
 
4. How would you describe your feelings about the 
appearance of your skin over the last month? 
 
 
 
 
(a) Very depressed and miserable 
(b) Usually concerned 
(c) Occasionally concerned 
(d) Not bothered 
 
 
5. Please indicate how bad you think your acne is 
now: 
 
 
 
 
(a)  The worst it could possibly be 
(b)  A major problem 
(c)  A minor problem 
(d)  Not a problem