LEO Pharma Further Strengthens Late-Stage Pipeline With the Acquisition of Dersimelagon
Acquisition adds dersimelagon to LEO Pharma's rare dermatology pipeline, an investigational once-daily oral melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) agonist for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) that has completed Phase 3 development and for which a New Drug Application (NDA) has been submitted to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review in June 2026.1
Leverages LEO Pharma's six decades of dermatology expertise to advance innovation for patients with rare skin diseases through the addition of this oral late-stage asset, building on LEO Pharma's recent acquisition of Replay and partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim for Spevigo® (spesolimab).
EPP and XLP are rare, devastating lifelong genetic disorders that cause severe sunlight-induced skin pain, as well as rash, swelling, redness, burning sensations and, in some cases, liver damage.2,3
Under the terms of the agreement, LEO Pharma will acquire worldwide rights to dersimelagon from Tanabe Pharma for up to USD 435 million in up front and near-term milestone payments together with potential downstream milestones and tiered royalties on net sales.
BALLERUP, Denmark, August 18, 2026--LEO Pharma, a global leader in medical dermatology delivering innovative solutions for skin disease, today announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire worldwide rights to dersimelagon from Tanabe Pharma. Dersimelagon is an oral, once-daily small MC1R agonist being developed for EPP and XLP.
EPP and XLP are rare and severe genetic diseases that cause severe sunlight-induced skin damage and can significantly limit patients' ability to spend time outdoors. Symptoms may include skin rash, swelling, redness, burning sensations and, in some cases, liver damage. Dersimelagon is designed to increase skin melanin, helping reduce sunlight penetration and protect against phototoxic reactions.2,3
"Patients living with EPP or XLP face the devastating lifelong burden of severe reactions to sunlight, and there is a clear need for treatment options that can make a meaningful difference in their everyday lives," said Christophe Bourdon, CEO, LEO Pharma. "By addressing a clear unmet need in a rare skin disease, dersimelagon represents a compelling opportunity to expand our rare dermatology pipeline with a late-stage oral therapy candidate. This acquisition is closely aligned with our strategy of identifying and investing in high-impact innovation in medical dermatology, where LEO Pharma brings deep disease understanding, and a global commercial footprint to bring this therapy to patients."