Aclaris Therapeutics Partners With Cipher Pharmaceuticals

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. recently announced it has licensed the Canadian rights to commercialize A-101 40% topical solution for the treatment of raised seborrheic keratoses (A-101 40%) to Cipher Pharmaceuticals. A-101 40% was approved by the FDA in December 2017 and is marketed by Aclaris in the US under the tradename Eskata.

Neal Walker, CEO of Aclaris, said “This agreement marks an important milestone for Aclaris as our first entry into the international dermatology market. Cipher has a strong presence within the Canadian dermatology market and we are excited to be working with them to make A-101 40% available in Canada.”

“We were very attracted to the profile of A-101 40%, which has the potential to address a growing and unmet need for a non-invasive prescription treatment option targeting the estimated 20% of Canadians who have raised SKs,” added Robert Tessarolo, President and CEO of Cipher. “This transaction – which represents our fourth in 2018 – brings a new and differentiated dermatology product into our Canadian portfolio and presents an attractive long-term growth opportunity. The addition of A-101 40% will further leverage our sales force and the strong relationships we have with Canadian dermatologists. Supported by a robust clinical data package, we are targeting a New Drug Submission to Health Canada later this year.”

Under the terms of the license agreement, Aclaris will receive an upfront payment of US $1 million and upon achievement of certain milestone events, may receive additional regulatory and commercial milestone payments, as well as royalties from product sales of A-101 40% in Canada. Cipher will be responsible for all regulatory and commercial activities and expenses for A-101 40% in Canada.

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. is a dermatologist-led biopharmaceutical company committed to identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative therapies to address significant unmet needs in dermatology, both aesthetic and medical, and immunology. Aclaris’ focus on market segments with no FDA-approved medications or where treatment gaps exist has resulted in the first FDA-approved treatment for raised seborrheic keratoses and several clinical programs to develop medications for the potential treatment of common warts, alopecia areata, and vitiligo. For more information, visit www.aclaristx.com.

A-101 40%, marketed under the trademark, ESKATA, by Aclaris in the US is the first and only US FDA-approved medication for the treatment of raised seborrheic keratoses (SKs). Aclaris has submitted a Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for this product in select countries in the European Union.

Cipher is a specialty pharmaceutical company with a robust and diversified portfolio of commercial and early to late-stage products. Cipher acquires products that fulfill unmet medical needs, manages the required clinical development and regulatory approval process, and markets those products either directly in Canada or indirectly through partners in Canada, the US, and South America. Cipher is focused on a three-pronged growth strategy – including acquisitions, in-licensing, and selective investments in drug development – to assemble a broad portfolio of prescription products that serve unmet medical needs. For more information, visit www.cipherpharma.com.