Leo Pharma Acquires Rights to Experimental Rare Skin Disease Drug in $435M Deal
Leo Pharma has acquired rights to dersimelagon, an experimental drug for two rare skin conditions—erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria—that cause severe reactions to sunlight. The deal is potentially worth up to $435 million in upfront payments and near-term milestones, with additional downstream royalties based on sales. If approved by the FDA, dersimelagon would be the first oral treatment for these conditions. The acquisition aligns with Leo Pharma's strategy of expanding its rare dermatology pipeline through high-impact innovation. The Danish company recently acquired gene therapy firm Reply and partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim on another drug candidate. Dersimelagon, currently under FDA review after receiving Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations, showed promising results in a Phase 3 trial by allowing patients to tolerate more sunlight while experiencing fewer pain episodes.
Topics: acquisition pharma rare disease treatment