Almirall Secures Exclusive Rights Outside Mainland China for CrystalO Dermatology Programme

Almirall Secures Exclusive Rights Outside Mainland China for CrystalO Dermatology Programme

(IN BRIEF) Almirall has entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with CrystalO for the discovery and development of novel small molecules in medical dermatology. Under the agreement, CrystalO will handle candidate discovery, optimisation, IND-enabling studies and early clinical development, with the goal of achieving clinical proof of concept. Almirall will hold exclusive rights outside mainland China and will lead later-stage global development, manufacturing and commercialisation. The collaboration supports Almirall’s strategy to strengthen its medical dermatology pipeline through external innovation, strategic partnerships and access to complementary R&D capabilities.

(PRESS RELEASE) BARCELONA, 11-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Almirall has entered into a collaboration and licensing agreement with CrystalO, a Chinese company focused on drug discovery, to identify and develop novel small molecules for use in medical dermatology.

The partnership supports Almirall’s broader innovation strategy, which includes identifying promising local research and development programmes that can complement the company’s internal scientific capabilities.

The agreement also reflects Almirall’s continued focus on advancing differentiated treatments in dermatology, particularly in areas where patients continue to face significant unmet medical needs.

Through strategic partnerships and scientific collaboration, Almirall aims to strengthen its pipeline and accelerate the development of new therapeutic options for skin conditions.

Under the terms of the agreement, CrystalO will be responsible for candidate discovery, optimisation, IND-enabling studies and early clinical development.

The objective is to advance selected candidates to clinical proof of concept.

Almirall will hold exclusive rights outside mainland China.

The company will also lead subsequent global development, manufacturing and commercialisation activities for the programme.

Karl Ziegelbauer, Chief Scientific Officer at Almirall, said the collaboration with CrystalO represents another important step in advancing the company’s innovation strategy in China.

He said the agreement further strengthens Almirall’s research and development pipeline in medical dermatology.

Ziegelbauer added that Almirall sees potential in the discovery partnership to deliver meaningful benefits to patients living with skin conditions around the world.

Dr Zhang Jin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CrystalO, said the company is honoured to enter into a strategic collaboration with Almirall, which he described as a leading company with a strong global reputation in dermatology.

He said the partnership represents strong recognition of CrystalO’s technology platform and its research and development capabilities in ion channel drug discovery.

Dr Zhang added that CrystalO looks forward to working closely with Almirall, combining the strengths of both companies to accelerate the development of innovative medicines and bring benefits to patients worldwide as early as possible.

Through the collaboration, Almirall is expanding its access to external innovation while strengthening its position in medical dermatology through a partnership focused on novel small molecules, ion channel drug discovery and global development opportunities.

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SOURCE: Almirall