Dermira sets terms for $80 million IPO; biotech treats scaly, sweaty, acne-covered skin

Dermira, a biotech targeting skin conditions such as psoriasis, excessive sweating and acne, announced terms for its IPO on Friday. The Redwood City, CA-based company plans to raise $80 million by offering 5.4 million shares at a price range of $14 to $16. At the midpoint of the proposed range, Dermira would command a fully diluted market value of $402 million.

Dermira has entered a collaboration agreement with Dutch pharmaceutical company UCB to develop its Cimzia drug for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Cimzia is currently approved in the US for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and Crohn's disease. Dermira expects to commence Phase 3 trials in the first half of 2015.

The company also has a topical small molecule treatment for hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, in Phase 2 trials and expects to enter Phase 3 by the 2H15. Dermira is also developing a small molecule sebum inhibitor for the treatment of acne, which has completed Phase 2a trials and expects Phase 2b to commence in the 1H15.

Primary shareholders include New Enterprise Associates, Bay City Capital, Canaan Partners, UCB S.A., Maruho Co., Apple Tree Partners and Fidelity.

Dermira is one of several biotech IPOs targeting psoriasis, including this past week's acne/psoriasis biotech Foamix Pharmaceuticals (FOMX), next week's Vitae Pharmaceuticals (VTAE) and recent filers Virobay (VBAY) and Forward Pharma (FWP).

Dermira, which was founded in 2010, plans to list on the NASDAQ under the symbol DERM. Citi and Leerink Partners are the joint bookrunners on the deal. It is expected to price during the week of September 29, 2014.

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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.

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Dermira sets terms for $80 million IPO; biotech treats scaly, sweaty, acne-covered skin