BioSpecifics' partner Auxilium provides update on XIAFLEX

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BSTC), a biopharmaceutical company developing first in class collagenase-based products, today announced that its strategic partner Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has provided an update on XIAFLEX, its injectable collagenase product currently marketed in the U.S. for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture.

Auxilium announced that XIAFLEX sales to physicians were $2.0 million for the second quarter of 2010. Auxilium also updated the following leading indicators which it tracks in connection with the XIAFLEX launch. As of June 30, 2010:

• 1,629 physicians and 1,122 sites have completed the training and enrollment process, compared to 1,421 and 962, respectively, at the end of May.
• A total of 1,458 insurance verification requests and 543 referrals to specialty pharmacies have been received by the Auxilium call center, up from 886 and 336, respectively, at the end of May.
• The number of cumulative, unique sites ordering XIAFLEX for the first time is 241 compared to 138 sites at the end of May.
• Auxilium believes that approximately 90% of insured lives in the U.S. have access to XIAFLEX.

In addition, Auxilium announced that it held its end of phase II meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late June 2010 regarding development of XIAFLEX for the treatment of Peyronie's disease and that, as a result, Auxilium is reaffirming its plan to initiate phase III pivotal trials by the end of 2010.