Almirall and CrystalO Partner to Discover New Treatments for Skin Diseases

Almirall, S.A., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology, has entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with Shenzhen CrystalO Biopharma Technology Co., Ltd. to discover and develop new drug candidates for skin diseases.

The partnership will combine CrystalO’s expertise in ion channel drug discovery with Almirall’s experience in medical dermatology research, clinical development and global commercialization.

The two companies will work together to identify innovative treatments that could address unmet needs in patients with dermatological conditions.

CrystalO to Lead Early Drug Discovery Work

Under the agreement, CrystalO will use its AI- and structure-based drug discovery platform to support the early stages of the program.

The company will work on identifying potential drug candidates, optimizing the compounds and conducting studies needed before clinical development. CrystalO will also support early clinical development and advance the program toward proof-of-concept testing.

The work will focus on ion channels, which are proteins involved in important biological processes and can serve as targets for new medicines.

Almirall Gets Global Rights Outside Mainland China

Almirall will receive exclusive rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize the resulting compounds and products in global markets outside mainland China.

CrystalO will retain the rights to the products in mainland China.

This arrangement allows both companies to use their existing strengths in different markets while working together on the research and development program.

Partnership Combines Two Different Areas of Expertise

The collaboration brings together CrystalO’s capabilities in ion channel target discovery, small-molecule drug development and early clinical research with Almirall’s expertise in medical dermatology.

Almirall has experience in clinical development, regulatory activities and commercializing dermatology medicines in global markets.

CrystalO, meanwhile, has developed technology focused on discovering medicines that target ion channels using structural biology, artificial intelligence and pharmacology.

The companies believe these capabilities can complement each other during the development of new dermatology treatments.

Financial Terms Include Milestone Payments and Royalties

As part of the agreement, CrystalO will receive an upfront payment from Almirall.

CrystalO will also be eligible for additional payments based on the achievement of research, development, regulatory and commercial milestones.

The company will also receive tiered royalties based on future net sales of products developed under the collaboration outside mainland China.

For sales in mainland China, CrystalO will pay Almirall tiered royalties based on future product sales.

The companies have not disclosed the specific financial amounts involved.

Almirall Expands Its Dermatology Innovation Strategy in China

Almirall said the partnership is part of its continued effort to strengthen its innovation strategy in China and expand its medical dermatology pipeline.

Dr. Karl Ziegelbauer, chief scientific officer at Almirall, said the company sees the collaboration as an important step in its innovation plans and believes the discovery partnership could help develop treatments for patients with skin conditions around the world.

Almirall has continued to invest heavily in research and development focused on medical dermatology.

Over the last 10 years, the company has invested more than €1 billion in medical dermatology R&D. In 2025, Almirall invested around 12.5% of its net sales in research and development.

CrystalO Brings Ion Channel Drug Discovery Technology

CrystalO is focused on developing innovative medicines that target ion channels.

Its research team includes scientists with experience in ion channel biology, structural determination, drug discovery and pharmacology.

The company's scientific team is led by international researchers, including Nobel Laureate and ion channel pioneer Erwin Neher, who serves as chief scientific advisor.

CrystalO has built technology covering highly stable ion channel antigens and antibodies, structural research and AI- and structure-based drug discovery.

The company is using these capabilities to develop potential first-in-class medicines targeting ion channels.

Focus on New Options for Patients With Skin Diseases

For patients, the main goal of the partnership is to find new treatment options for skin diseases where existing therapies may not provide enough benefit.

The research will combine CrystalO’s approach to discovering compounds against ion channel targets with Almirall’s knowledge of dermatology and drug development.

If the research identifies suitable candidates, the programs will move through further development and clinical testing to determine whether they can become potential treatments.

Almirall will also use its global development and commercialization capabilities to support the products in markets outside mainland China if the programs successfully progress.

Almirall Continues to Build Its Medical Dermatology Pipeline

Almirall remains focused on expanding its position in medical dermatology through internal research and external collaborations.

The company works with scientists, healthcare professionals and patients to develop treatments that address important medical needs in dermatology.

The collaboration with CrystalO adds another research partnership to this strategy and gives Almirall access to CrystalO’s ion channel discovery platform.

For CrystalO, the partnership provides an opportunity to combine its technology with Almirall’s global dermatology development and commercialization experience as the companies work toward new potential medicines.

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