Leo Pharma signs $435 million deal with Tanabe for rare skin disease drug dersimelagon
Leo Pharma announced a licensing agreement with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma for worldwide rights to dersimelagon, an oral melanocortin-1 receptor agonist targeting rare genetic skin disorders.
The drug is intended for patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP), conditions that cause severe pain and skin reactions upon light exposure. Activation of the melanocortin-1 receptor is expected to increase melanin production, providing a protective pigment shield.
Under the deal, Tanabe will receive up to $435 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, with additional milestones and tiered royalties possible later. The agreement aligns with Leo’s 2026 strategy to strengthen its pipeline.
Dersimelagon is currently awaiting a decision from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration following a Phase 3 trial that showed positive results for both EPP and XLP.
This writeup was produced by pharmadog from original reporting by Fierce Biotech.
Original headline: “Leo ‘really strengthening’ pipeline with $435M deal for Tanabe rare skin disease drug awaiting FDA nod”
read at Fierce Biotech ↗
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