Last reviewed · How we verify

BF-200 ALA 10%

Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH · Phase 2 active Small molecule ✓ Verified May 2026

BF-200 ALA 10% is a Photodynamic therapy agent Small molecule drug developed by Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH. It is currently in Phase 2 development for Actinic keratosis (field treatment), Non-melanoma skin cancer precursor lesions. Also known as: Ameluz.

BF-200 ALA is a topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) formulation that generates reactive oxygen species upon light activation to destroy abnormal skin cells.

BF-200 ALA 10% is used in aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy for treating and preventing facial actinic keratosis. This treatment involves applying BF-200 ALA 10% followed by exposure to a light source, such as BLU-U.

Likelihood of approval
13.3% vs 15.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2031–2034
Steps remaining: Phase 3 → NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: Medium
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 2 → approval rate +15.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 2 drugs reach approval ~15.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
  • Oncology Phase 2 attrition -2.0pp
    Oncology drugs have higher Phase 2-to-Phase 3 attrition than average — many fail to show OS benefit in larger studies.
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2031–2034
EMA EU 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2032–2035 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2032–2036 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2032–2036 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2032–2036 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2033–2037 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2032–2036 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2032–2037 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2033–2037 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameBF-200 ALA 10%
Also known asAmeluz
SponsorBiofrontera Bioscience GmbH
Drug classPhotodynamic therapy agent
TargetProtoporphyrin IX (photosensitizer)
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaDermatology/Oncology
PhasePhase 2

Mechanism of action

BF-200 ALA is a photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent that penetrates skin tissue and is converted to protoporphyrin IX, a photosensitizer. Upon illumination with red light, protoporphyrin IX generates singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species that induce apoptosis and necrosis in target cells, particularly actinic keratosis and other precancerous lesions.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about BF-200 ALA 10%

What is BF-200 ALA 10%?

BF-200 ALA 10% is a Photodynamic therapy agent drug developed by Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH, indicated for Actinic keratosis (field treatment), Non-melanoma skin cancer precursor lesions.

How does BF-200 ALA 10% work?

BF-200 ALA is a topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) formulation that generates reactive oxygen species upon light activation to destroy abnormal skin cells.

What is BF-200 ALA 10% used for?

BF-200 ALA 10% is indicated for Actinic keratosis (field treatment), Non-melanoma skin cancer precursor lesions.

Who makes BF-200 ALA 10%?

BF-200 ALA 10% is developed by Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH (see full Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH pipeline at /company/biofrontera-bioscience-gmbh).

Is BF-200 ALA 10% also known as anything else?

BF-200 ALA 10% is also known as Ameluz.

What drug class is BF-200 ALA 10% in?

BF-200 ALA 10% belongs to the Photodynamic therapy agent class. See all Photodynamic therapy agent drugs at /class/photodynamic-therapy-agent.

What development phase is BF-200 ALA 10% in?

BF-200 ALA 10% is in Phase 2.

What are the side effects of BF-200 ALA 10%?

Common side effects of BF-200 ALA 10% include Erythema, Edema, Burning/pain at application site, Photosensitivity, Crusting/scaling.

What does BF-200 ALA 10% target?

BF-200 ALA 10% targets Protoporphyrin IX (photosensitizer) and is a Photodynamic therapy agent.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing