Singapore: LEO Pharma will establish five long-term, strategic research collaborations in Australia, France, Germany and the US by the end of next year to deliver new treatment options for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and actinic keratosis. The first in the series of collaborations to be announced is with Charité, one of Europe's oldest and largest university hospitals. The research will supplement LEO Pharma's internal R&D activities.

"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 Dr Kim Kjoeller, SVP, global development. LEO Pharma. 

LEO Pharma has established a joint institute called I2DEAL, the International Institute of Dermatology and Allergy, with Charité, where experts will conduct early exploratory clinical trials and explore the underlying mechanisms of disease in allergic and itchy skin conditions. 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.

Professor (Dr) Marcus Maurer, director, research, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité, said that, "Our research will focus on itch and inflammation. We know that itchy and inflamed skin is by far the greatest burden of disease for many patients, particularly those with eczema and psoriasis. Despite this, patients lack satisfactory treatment options. Together with LEO Pharma, we aim to discover new ways to relieve patients from itchy and inflamed skin."