Medicxi, a London-based venture capital firm, is merging six dermatology biotechs into one entity called Alys Pharmaceuticals. The combined company will have a multi-platform pipeline focused on immuno-dermatology, with a dozen active programs and ambitions for further growth in inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, dermatology supportive care for cancer patients, and rare skin conditions. Alys Pharmaceuticals will be led by Thibaud Portal, former global head of prescription medicines at Galderma. The company aims to deliver between seven and ten proof-of-concept readouts over the next three years.
In addition to the merger, Alys Pharmaceuticals has secured $100 million in funding and formed strategic collaborations with institutions such as Institut Gustave Roussy, UMass Chan Medical School, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Georgia Institute of Technology, and EMPA Swiss Federal Institute for Materials & Technology. The funding and collaborations will support the company’s efforts in immuno-dermatology research and development.
The merger and funding injection are expected to accelerate Alys Pharmaceuticals’ innovation in the field of dermatology and provide the company with increased access to capital.
