LEO Pharma unveils collaboration strategy for dermatology treatments
To form five long-term partnerships in four countries
Danish pharmaceutical firm LEO Pharma plans to establish five long-term dermatology research partnerships in four countries by the end of next year, with the aim of delivering treatments to patients more quickly.
The firm plans to collaborate with firms in Australia, France, Germany and the US, covering skin conditions in which it is already active, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and actinic keratosis, as well as new therapeutic areas.
‘This marks the beginning of an exciting journey for LEO Pharma and the patients we serve. By joining forces with world-leading experts, we hope to break important, new ground in dermatology – faster than we’ve ever done before,’ says Kim Kjoeller, senior vice president, Global Development at LEO Pharma.
He added: ‘We’re entering unchartered territory. Not only will we identify and test treatment solutions that no one has explored before; we will also explore new therapeutic areas for LEO Pharma. By working at the forefront of drug discovery and development, LEO Pharma can go that extra mile to meet patient needs. We are excited about the possibilities ahead.’
The first in the series of collaborations is with Charité, one of Europe’s oldest and largest university hospitals based in Berlin, Germany.
LEO Pharma has established a joint institute called I2DEAL, the International Institute of Dermatology and Allergy, with the hospital. Here, experts will conduct early exploratory clinical trials and explore the underlying mechanisms of disease in allergic and itchy skin conditions.
Professor Marcus Maurer, director of research at the Department of Dermatology and Allergy at Charité, said: ‘A perfect match – that’s how I’d describe our partnership with LEO Pharma. By combining our individual expertise, we can make significant advances in dermatology research and towards meeting patient needs.’