Our Entrepreneurial Company Showcases at the Annual Dermatology Summit are unique sessions that highlight privately held and small-cap public companies advancing innovative products to improve skin health. Whether you’re an investor on the hunt for the next big thing, a pharma executive exploring partnership opportunities, or a smaller company leader seeking to better understand the entrepreneurial landscape, our showcases offer an exclusive look at how these emerging companies are contributing innovative solutions to the dermatology industry.
Here’s an overview of our 2025 guests:
Alpenglow Biosciences is a venture-backed Seattle tech bio startup making innovative strides in clinical diagnostics by leveraging AI-powered 3D imaging technology. Drawing on their expertise in spatial biology, GPU accelerated data processing and light-sheet microscopy, Alpenglow’s approach accelerates the path from research to clinical insights by providing a more comprehensive understanding of tissue samples and detailed data than traditional 2D histology. Alpenglow Biosciences recently announced over $23M in non-dilutive funding from an NIH Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and an Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) for advancing to commercialization of its open-top lightsheet imaging platform and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven 3D spatial biology for direct-to-digital tissue imaging and analysis. For more information, please visit https://www.alpenglowbiosciences.com.
Clexio Biosciences is developing a novel approach to treat localized chronic itch, using a potent α2-adrenergic agonist (NCE). The product CLE-400 is using a topical delivery system targeting peripheral α2-adrenergic receptors in the skin. CLE-400 is currently being tested in a Phase 2 Proof of Concept study in the US for the treatment of patients suffering from chronic pruritus associated with Notalgia Paresthetica. Notalgia Paresthetica is a type of sensory neuropathy associated with chronic itch in the upper back. Patients’ quality of life, sleep, and mood can be negatively impacted by this condition. To date, there are no approved treatments for this condition. CLE-400 is an investigational drug and is currently not approved for commercial distribution. Be sure to visit https://www.clexio.com/ to follow their journey.
Concerto Biosciences is a Boston-based startup creating dermatological treatments to address the most pressing unmet needs at the intersection of skin microbiome science and health. At the heart of their program is the kChip discovery platform, which enables the rapid construction and evaluation of millions of microbial communities to discover optimally effective “ensembles”. Their leading asset, “Ensemble No.2” (ENS-002), discovered by screening over 6 million distinct microbial communities with kChip, is a topical live biotherapeutic product (LBP) that targets the pathogenic behaviors of S. aureus to alleviate the frequency and severity of eczema flare-ups. A first-in-human trial for ENS-002 is underway. Concerto is gearing up for the discovery of more microbial solutions and is changing the dynamic narrative between humans and microbes for the better. To learn more, please visit https://www.concertobio.com/.
Melanyze, an early-stage biotech spin-out from Northwestern University, was co-founded through the collaboration of Kurt Lu, MD, Professor of Dermatology and a physician-scientist at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and Nathan Gianneschi, PhD, Professor of Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Pharmacology. Their technology harnesses patented synthetic melanin chemistry and biology to address skin regeneration, wound repair, and complex inflammatory skin conditions through optimized radical scavenging and inhibition of inflammation. Preclinical studies conducted last year showed that the synthetic melanin-based nanoparticle cream — referred to by the media as “Super Melanin” — is biocompatible, degradable, non-toxic, and clear when applied to the skin’s surface. Keep up with the progress happening at Melanyze by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/company/melanyze-inc/.
Rubedo Life Sciences is a Silicon Valley biotechnology company taking on cellular senescence and other key hallmarks of aging. Additionally, their first in-human trial beginning in 1H 2025 will evaluate their drug's potential in aged skin and medical diseases where senescence appears to play a role. Rubedo’s ALEMBIC™ discovery platform leverages artificial intelligence combined with single-cell multi-omics and next-generation chemistry to selectively target cells that drive pathology throughout the body, allowing the prevention or treatment of the most common diseases of aging, which cause premature morbidity and mortality. Earlier this year, Rubedo announced a multi-year partnership with German cosmetics titan Beiersdorf AG to unveil skin care products targeting the roots of cellular aging, specifically senescent cells. RLS-1496 is one of their leading compounds, formulated as a topical therapeutic for chronic inflammatory skin diseases, meant to permanently remove senescent cells that accumulate in these dermatological indications. Learn more about Rubedo Life Sciences here: https://www.rubedolife.com/.
Sagesse Bio is an early-stage pharmaceutical company that focuses on rapidly developing RNA interference therapeutics for focal fat reduction and tissue remodeling. The aesthetic medicine market is fast-growing, fueled by strong consumer demand, technological innovations, and investment opportunities. Sagesse Bio has completed a Phase 1a trial with SGY-101 and is ready to move into Phase 1b/2a imminently. SGY-101 uses small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to target adipocytes using gene silencing to curb fibrosis and tissue inflammation. Early studies showed that SGY-101 was well tolerated across various dose concentrations and administered volumes. SGY-101 is poised to be a leading advancement in transforming medical dermatology through the power of biotech innovation. Stay tuned for upcoming milestones by visiting https://www.linkedin.com/company/sagesse-bio/.
UNION therapeutics A/S is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Denmark developing and commercializing treatments for immunology and skin disorders. They are led by a team of biotech entrepreneurs and seasoned pharma executives, who account for more than 15 drug approvals. UNION is developing orismilast, a next-generation oral PDE4B/D inhibitor for treating atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa. It functions by acting early in the inflammatory process and across multiple cytokines involved in dermatological and immunological diseases. Orismilast has shown a strong efficacy and safety profile and after successfully meeting atopic dermatitis endpoints from Phase IIb studies, UNION plans to initiate a Phase III trial using orismilast soon. Visit http://www.uniontherapeutics.com/ to learn more.
Stay up to date with all these innovations – and more – shaking up the dermatology world by attending our 12th Annual Dermatology Summit on January 12, 2025. Take advantage of the opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the future of skin health!
