TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

FINACEA (azelaic acid)

Dermatology Approved 2002-12-24

Finacea is a topical gel used for patients who have mild to moderate rosacea. It specifically helps patients with the inflammatory papules and pustules associated with this skin condition. While it may help reduce some redness in these patients, it is primarily prescribed to manage the bumps and pimples rather than redness alone.

Source: FDA Label • LEO PHARMA AS

How FINACEA Works

The exact way that azelaic acid works to address the underlying causes of rosacea is not currently known. It is used to interfere with the disease process, though the specific biological targets remain unidentified.

3
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
23
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2002-12-24
Patent Cliff
2029

Pro Metrics

Patent cliff and revenue data

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Routes
TOPICAL
Dosage Forms
AEROSOL, FOAM, GEL

Companies

Active Ingredient: AZELAIC ACID

FINACEA Approval History

2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
15 FDA actions from 2002 to 2021 · 1 indication expansions
Nov 2021 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Dec 2020 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Nov 2020 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What FINACEA Treats

1 indications

FINACEA is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2002. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Rosacea
Source: FDA Label

FINACEA Competitive Set

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Three rings of competition based on shared molecular targets and treated indications.

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to FINACEA

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Clinical Trial Registry

7 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT06966388 MCC-23-20546 Ph 1 recruiting Study to Evaluate the Feasibility of Twice Daily Use of Topical Azelaic Acid in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiation
NCT05014906 ROS001 Ph 4 completed Efficacy of Oral Minocycline (Solodyn) and Oral Minocycline (Solodyn) Plus Azelaic Acid (Finacea) for Acne Rosacea
NCT02120924 results posted 13-1014 Ph 3 completed A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Clinical Study of Azelaic Acid Gel 15% in Patients With Moderate Facial Rosacea
NCT00617903 results posted 1402140 Ph 2 completed Exploration of Safety and Efficacy of AzA 15% Foam Twice a Day in Rosacea
NCT03035955 results posted IRB00014511 Ph 2, Ph 3 completed Azelaic Acid on Demodex Counts in Rosacea
NCT02058628 results posted 200398 Ph 4 completed Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Clindamycin + Benzoyl Peroxide Formulation With Azelaic Acid Formulation in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris
NCT01038869 results posted FIN0901 Ph 4 completed Efficacy and Safety Study of Finacea to Treat Acne Vulgaris and Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

FINACEA FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

FINACEA is indicated for the treatment of Rosacea.

View full patent landscape →
4 OB patents · 4 families · 25 international docs across 1 countries

FINACEA Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: Feb 2029

Patents (4 active)

US9211259 Expires Feb 28, 2029
US9265725 Expires Dec 8, 2027
US10117812 Expires Oct 18, 2027
US7700076 Expires Sep 18, 2027
Source: FDA Orange Book

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Revenue Insights

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  • Historical trend analysis

Patent Timeline

  • Cliff: 2029
  • 4 active patents

Trial Analysis

  • Clinical trial tracking
  • Development stage analysis

Competitive Landscape

  • 12 similar drugs
  • Same target/indication analysis
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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.