BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DermBiont, a clinical-stage biotechnology company that is advancing targeted topical therapeutics for the treatment of dermatological indications, today announced a $35.2 million Series B financing, including a $27.1 million Series B first close and $8.1 million in converting outstanding notes. Proceeds will be used to advance two drugs in development, SM-020, a topical novel AKT kinase inhibitor for the treatment of seborrheic keratoses (SKs), and SM-030, a topical novel PKC-beta inhibitor for the treatment of melasma and other hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin.
The Series B was led by new institutional investor, Double Point Ventures, and includes continued support from Viking Global Investors, Civilization Ventures, Olive Tree Capital, and others. Concurrent with the financing, Daniel Yadegar, M.D., Managing Partner at Double Point Ventures, joined DermBiont’s board of directors, adding, “I am excited to be working closely with DermBiont’s team to advance two products, one for the treatment of seborrheic keratoses and the other for the treatment of melasma, two of the most frequently diagnosed skin diseases by dermatologists. These products prioritize the patient experience by addressing the root cause of both diseases with excellent efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Physicians understand that patients with SKs and hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin are seeking effective, safe, and well-tolerated topical treatment options compared with existing ablative surgical procedures for treating SKs or ineffective lasers with frequent recurrence or unsafe toxic chemicals with very low efficacy like hydroquinone for treating melasma.”
The proceeds from the Series B financing will be used to advance the clinical development of SM-020 and SM-030. They are expected to fund the company through end of its Phase 2 meetings with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which are expected in the second half of 2024 for both programs. In the next twelve months, DermBiont will commence enrollment for three planned seborrheic keratoses clinical trials and one melasma trial as follows:
- Phase 2b randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial in 60 subjects with seborrheic keratoses treated with SM-020 gel 1% or vehicle twice daily for 28 days.
- Phase 2b open label clinical trial in 10 subjects with DPN (Dermatosis Papulosa Nigra) treated with SM-020 gel 1% twice daily for 28 days.
- Phase 2 open label clinical trial extension in 25 additional subjects with seborrheic keratoses treated with SM-020 gel 0.1% or SM-020 gel 1% daily or twice daily for 28 to 56 days.
- Phase 2b randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 138 subjects with melasma treated with SM-030 gel 0.64%, SM-030 gel 0.08%, or placebo gel twice daily for 12 weeks
“The addition of Double Point Ventures as a major backer alongside continued financial and strategic support from Viking Global Investors and other investors allows us to accelerate the development of our pipeline of novel topical therapeutics for the treatment of the number one and number three most frequently diagnosed disorders of the skin by dermatologists in the US, seborrheic keratoses and hyperpigmentation, respectively,” stated Karl Beutner, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of DermBiont. “This funding comes on the heels of our successful Phase 2 proof of concept trials, where SM-030 gel 0.64% achieved greater efficacy than 4% hydroquinone, and where over 80% of SKs responded to treatment with SM-020 gel 1.0% twice daily for 14 to 28 days and over 50% of SK lesions completely cleared in the most effective dosing regimen.”
About DermBiont
DermBiont’s mission is to become the world’s leading precision dermatology company developing and commercializing targeted topical therapeutics that treat, cure, and prevent skin diseases. The company aims to impact the root causes of skin diseases through the development of first-in-class targeted therapeutics with well-defined mechanisms of action. The company’s targeted topical therapeutics pipeline includes two lead assets: SM-020 for the treatment of seborrheic keratoses and SM-030 for the treatment of melasma and other hyperpigmentation disorders of the skin. For more information, please visit www.dermbiont.com.
About Double Point Ventures
At Double Point Ventures, we see beyond today's treatments to envision tomorrow's cures. Our fund invests in revolutionary companies developing cutting-edge therapeutics, from gene therapies to precision medicines. While novel drugs are our focus, we also target innovative early revenue-stage diagnostic companies, medical device startups, digital health startups, and healthcare services providers catalyzing the future of healthcare. Backed by visionary investors, our mission is clear - fund the science superstars solving the medical mysteries of our time. By powering pioneering companies, we strive to bring groundbreaking treatments from bench to bedside. Double Point Ventures is led by Managing Partner, Daniel Yadegar, M.D. For more information, please visit www.doublepointventures.com.