LEO Pharma, a global pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology and critical care, plans to establish five long-term, strategic research collaborations in Australia, France, Germany and the U.S. by the end of next year.

The ambitious initiative aims to supplement LEO Pharma’s internal R&D activities and deliver new treatment options to dermatology patients faster than ever before.

Each collaboration will integrate discovery research and exploratory clinical trials to an exceptionally high degree. The unique approach will enable LEO Pharma to explore many dermatological treatment solutions at once—reducing the time it takes to deliver new therapeutic options. 

The scope of the scientific collaboration strategy covers skin conditions in which LEO Pharma is already active, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and actinic keratosis, as well as new therapeutic areas for LEO Pharma.

LEO Pharma has already formed its first collaboration—Charité, one of Europe’s oldest and largest university hospitals. The pair will establish a joint institute called I2DEAL, the International Institute of Dermatology and Allergy. Here, experts will conduct early exploratory clinical trials and explore the underlying mechanisms of disease in allergic and itchy skin conditions.

I2DEAL research will focus on itch and inflammation, which currently lack satisfactory treatment options, according to Maurer, director of research, dept. of dermatology and allerg, Charité. It is the first time that the Department of Dermatology and Allergy at Charité enters into collaboration with a private pharmaceutical company to such a high degree.

 “This marks the beginning of an exciting journey for LEO Pharma and the patients we serve,” said Kim Kjoeller, senior vice president, global development, LEO Pharma. “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.”