Dermira has raised $128.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Dermira's investors include Canaan Partners, MPM Capital, Pivotal bioVenture Partners, SR One Capital Management.
Dermira, Inc. was a biopharmaceutical company—not a technology company—focused on developing and commercializing therapies for dermatologic diseases, such as hyperhidrosis and atopic dermatitis. It offered QBREXZA, a topical anticholinergic cloth for primary axillary hyperhidrosis in adults and pediatric patients aged nine and older, and advanced lebrikizumab, an injectable monoclonal antibody in Phase IIb trials for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.[1][3] Dermira served patients and physicians treating chronic skin conditions, addressing unmet needs in medical dermatology through innovative solutions like topical photodynamic therapies (e.g., lemuteporfin for acne) and early-stage programs targeting inflammatory skin diseases.[2][3][4] The company was acquired by Eli Lilly and Company in February 2020 for $1.1 billion, after raising $128 million, and now operates as its subsidiary headquartered in Menlo Park, California.[1][2]
Dermira was incorporated in 2010 in Delaware, initially as Skintelligence, Inc., before renaming to Dermira, Inc. in August 2012.[1] The company emerged from a focus on translating skin disease biology into therapies, building on prior research like lebrikizumab, which had been tested in over 4,000 subjects for conditions including atopic dermatitis in exploratory Phase 2 trials.[3] Key milestones included licensing lebrikizumab from Roche in August 2017 for exclusive worldwide rights in atopic dermatitis and commercializing QBREXZA upon FDA approval.[1][3] Early traction came from proof-of-concept work in hyperhidrosis and eczema, leading to its growth as a dermatology specialist until the 2020 acquisition by Eli Lilly, which integrated its pipeline into a larger biotech framework.[1][2][3]
Dermira stood out in medical dermatology through targeted innovation and efficient development:
Dermira rode the biotech trend of precision dermatology, leveraging monoclonal antibodies and topical innovations amid rising demand for treatments in chronic skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, affecting millions.[3] Timing aligned with growing awareness of immunology in skin diseases—e.g., interleukin-13 targeting via lebrikizumab—fueled by market forces like aging populations, eczema prevalence, and post-COVID skin health focus.[1][2][3] It influenced the ecosystem by advancing standards in medical dermatology, filing patents that shaped competitive landscapes in acne and inflammation therapies, and demonstrating acquisition value for specialized biopharma, paving the way for integrated big-pharma pipelines.[2]
Post-2020 acquisition, Dermira's assets like lebrikizumab and QBREXZA are integrated into Eli Lilly's portfolio, likely advancing to later-stage trials or launches in expanded indications.[1][2][3] Trends like biologics for eczema, AI-driven dermatology diagnostics, and personalized topicals will shape its legacy, with Lilly potentially scaling global access amid a dermatology market projected to grow via unmet needs in inflammation and acne.[2][3] Its influence may evolve through Lilly-led innovations, reinforcing biopharma's role in chronic skin solutions and validating early-stage dermatology bets. This trajectory underscores Dermira's pivot from standalone innovator to powerhouse contributor in patient-centered biotech.
Dermira has raised $128.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $51.0M Series C in August 2014.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2014 | $51.0M Series C | Canaan Partners, MPM Capital, Pivotal bioVenture Partners, SR One Capital Management | |
| Jun 1, 2013 | $35.0M Series B | Canaan Partners, MPM Capital, Pivotal bioVenture Partners, SR One Capital Management | |
| Oct 1, 2011 | $42.0M Series A | Canaan Partners, MPM Capital, Pivotal bioVenture Partners, SR One Capital Management |
