DUAC® Early Onset Efficacy Study in Japanese Subjects

This is a multicentre, randomized, single-blind (investigator is blinded), active (the combination therapy of adapalene \[ADA\] and clindamycin \[CLDM\])-controlled and parallel-group study in Japanese subjects with facial acne vulgaris. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of CLDM 1 percent (%)-benzoyl peroxide 3% (Duac®: trademark owned by GlaxoSmithKline) once daily fixed dose combination gel versus combination therapy of ADA 0.1% gel and CLDM 1% gel in the topical treatment of facial acne vulgaris for 12 weeks. A total of 400 subjects will be screened for enrolment. Subjects will use Duac® fixed dose combination gel with quantity sufficient to cover entire face (including the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin) once daily in the evening (at bedtime) or combination therapy of ADA 0.1% gel with quantity sufficient to cover entire face (including the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin) once daily in the evening (at bedtime) and CLDM 1% gel twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening (at bedtime) for 12 weeks.

Duac® is a registered trademark of Stiefel Laboratories, Inc., a GSK company. Duac® marketed in Japan is CLDM 1%-benzoyl peroxide 3% combination gel.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female subjects between 12 to 45 years of age, inclusive.
* Subjects must have had both: (a) A minimum of 17 but not more than 60 ILs (papules / pustules) on the face, including nasal lesions; (b) A minimum of 20 but not more than 150 non-ILs (open / closed comedones) on the face, including nasal lesions.
* Subjects who have an ISGA score of 2 or greater at Baseline.
* Female subjects of childbearing potential and women who are less than 2 years from their last menses must agree to use contraception
* Subjects who are willing and able to follow all study procedures and to visit all scheduled evaluation points.
* Subjects who have ability to understand and give a written informed consent form (written informed consent must be obtained also from the parent or guardian if the participant is under 20 years of age).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subjects who have any nodulo-cystic lesions at Baseline.
* Female subjects who are pregnant or who are breast-feeding.
* Subjects who have a history or presence of regional enteritis, inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. ulcerative colitis, pseudomembranous colitis, chronic diarrhoea, antibiotic-associated colitis or bloody diarrhoea) or similar symptoms.
* Subjects who used any of the following agents within 2 weeks prior to Baseline: topical antibiotics on the face or systemic antibiotics; topical anti-acne medications (e.g. Benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, resorcinol, salicylates etc.); abradants, facials, peels, masks containing glycolic or other acids; washes, soaps, non mild facial cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfacetamide sodium; moisturizers containing retinol, salicylic acid or alpha or beta-hydroxy acids (except additive agent); astringents and toner.
* Subjects who used any of the following agents on the face or performed the following procedure within 4 weeks prior to baseline: topical corticosteroids applied onto face (use of inhaled, intra-articular or intra-lesional steroids other than for facial acne is acceptable); facial procedure (such as chemical and laser peel, microdermabration, blue light treatment, etc.).
* Subjects who used systemic retinoids within the previous 6 months or topical retinoids within 6 weeks prior to Baseline.
* Subjects who received treatment with estrogens, androgens or anti-androgenic agents within the previous 12 weeks (subjects who have been treated with the above agents for more than 12 consecutive weeks prior to start of investigational product are allowed to enrol as long as they do not expect to change dose, drug or discontinue use during the study).
* Subjects who are using any medication that in the opinion of the investigator may affect this clinical study or evaluation of the study.
* Subjects who plan to use medications that are reported to exacerbate acne (such as vitamin D and vitamin B12, corticosteroids, androgens, haloperidol, halogens, lithium, hydantoin and Phenobarbital).
* Subjects who have a known hypersensitivity or have had previous allergic reaction to any of the components of the investigational product.
* Subjects who have used investigate therapy within the previous 12 weeks or plan to participate in another clinical study at the same time.
* Subjects who participated in another Japanese clinical study planned by GlaxoSmithKline K.K. in the development of investigational products for acne vulgaris.
* Subjects with a history of substance abuse (alcohol or drugs) or substance dependence within 12 months prior to screening.
* Subjects who have medical history suggestive of an immunocompromized status.
* Subjects who are employees of a GlaxoSmithKline, an investigator or clinical research organization involved in the study or any immediate family member of an employee involved in the study.
* Subjects who have any other condition that would put the subject at unacceptable risk for participation in the study.