Acne is the eighth most prevalent disease worldwide, affecting an estimated 9.4% of the global population¹.

Acne occurs when hair follicles become blocked with dead skin cells and oil, most often appearing on the face, chest, upper back, and shoulders. Though acne predominantly occurs during adolescence, people of any age can be affected. Left untreated, acne can negatively impact the mental health of those with the condition.

Though there is no cure for acne, there are many treatments available on the market. However, many are centred on topical or oral antibiotics, which carry the concern of antibiotic drug resistance with long-term use or other drugs which may come with unwanted side effects2.

Small plants in a glass dish

Derma Biosciences is dedicated to transforming dermatological care through the power of plant-derived science. Guided by Professor Tony Chu, a leading global authority on acne, we have identified specific botanical candidates for the development of novel plant-derived acne treatments. Professor Chu leverages his nearly 50 years of experience as a Consultant Dermatologist and his current role as Head of Dermatology at Hammersmith Hospital to apply his deep expertise in treating acne and acne scarring at Derma Biosciences, fostering the creation of innovative solutions developed by nature, validated by science.

Acne Treatments in Human Study Phase

ACN-001 - Acne Treatment (Anti-microbial)

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Skin with acne and blemishes visible.
Back with acne and blemishes.

ACN-002 - Acne Treatment (Sebum Suppression) – Early Development Phase

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Specialisation

Acne
Alopecia
Asteatosis
Eczema
Psoriasis

Talk to us

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Professor Matt Upton

Advisor

Matt is a Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Plymouth and co-founding director at Spectromics and Amprologix. A graduate of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Matt is an experienced researcher with a focus on antibiotic candidate discovery, medical microbiology, molecular biology, and biotechnology. He has a demonstrated history of working in higher education and collaborating with industry.
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Nicolas Turner

Operations Manager

With over a decade of leadership experience, Nicolas has successfully led operations and project management initiatives across a wide range of industries, including biotech, hospitality, education, construction, and social enterprise. He specializes in steering organizational change and driving business transformation. Known for his strengths in innovation management, process improvement, and organizational development, Nicolas consistently strives for sustainable growth and operational excellence.
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Paul Stanford

Advisor

Paul is a seasoned supply chain and innovation leader with over 37 years of experience leading teams across the global Coca-Cola system. His expertise spans mergers and acquisitions, technical and operational due diligence, post-acquisition integration, and the leadership of product, package and equipment R&D teams. More recently, Paul has been actively mentoring and collaborating with startups in the food sector, bringing his deep industry knowledge to support innovation and growth in emerging businesses.
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Nick Kaye

Pharmaceutical Advisor

A third-generation pharmacist, Nick Kaye is known for his dedication to advancing community healthcare. As the Immediate Past Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, he played a key role in shaping national policy and supporting independent pharmacies. Nick is currently the CEO of Community Pharmacy Cornwall and serves as a director at Hendra Pharmacy and Kingsley Muti. Additionally, he is an Independent Non-Executive Director for Wicker Pharmacy in Sheffield, an Ordinary Board member on the Kernow Integrated Care Board, and a Member of the World Pharmacy Council.
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Kim Lahiri

Product Development Advisor

Kim has 40 years of experience as a cosmetologist and educator. Kim's background in the skincare industry includes product creation, sales, and marketing, with the ability to place new products within the right market. Kim has trained with top skincare houses globally, including Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Sothys, Rene Guinot, and Academie, focusing on new product development, sales, and marketing. Kim is a member of IFA, CIDESCO, BABTAC, the British Society of Perfumers, and the Society of Cosmetic Scientists.

Philip Fallon

Advisor

A highly experienced accountant, Philip’s worldwide experience includes working for several leading accountancy firms such as Deloitte and Crowe as an Audit Director, overseeing a diverse portfolio that included multiple listed companies. More recently, he has utilised his considerable experience to advise and support start-ups in a wide variety of industries. Philip has an extensive understanding of IFRS, US GAAP reporting, and listed company regulatory compliance.
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Richard Orchard

Head Of Biochemistry

Richard graduated with honours in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester, embarking on a diverse career in pharmaceuticals. He has held roles at Schering Agrochemicals, The Patterson Institute for Cancer Research, and Phenomenex Inc., contributing to projects ranging from herbicide-plant interactions to brain tumour research and solid phase HPLC extraction packings. In addition, Richard is an active member of the Institute of Biology and the British Mycological Society.
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Alex Craven

Chief Operating Officer

Alex is an experienced financial markets professional and proven investor with nearly two decades of success. He brings extensive corporate finance and capital markets knowledge, complemented by hands-on experience in roles including founder, fundraiser, private and public investor, trader, executive board member, reporting issuer, and advisor. In addition, Alex has significant operational expertise, having led and scaled businesses through various stages of growth, optimized internal processes, and overseen both strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations across multiple sectors.
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Philip Mann

Co-Founder / Board Member

Philip brings extensive experience in entrepreneurship, advisory, and consulting services across public and private companies in sectors such as shipping, natural resources, engineering and manufacturing worldwide. He has held senior roles for both private and public firms, including Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice-President, and board member. Philip has also served in advisory roles to organisations in the US, UK and Scandinavia, providing a breadth of expertise in regulatory reporting and compliance issues.
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Professor Patric Eriksson

Chief Executive Officer

A Professor of Innovation and seasoned entrepreneur, Patric has founded multiple start-ups and served as Director of Research and Products at a company preparing for an IPO. He also founded a successful business incubator that has supported hundreds of start-ups, several of which achieved exits in the £10–100 million range, co-founded a seed capital firm, and served as a non-executive director and founding team member of Saminvest AB, a government-owned Swedish venture capital company with £360 million under management. In recognition of his impact on entrepreneurship, Patric was awarded the prestigious EU European Enterprise Development Award.
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Timothy Sawyer CBE

Chairman / Board Member

Tim has over 30 years of leadership experience in banking and financial services, most recently serving as CEO of the Bank of the Maldives. Prior to that, he was the Chief Investment Officer of Innovate UK, the investment arm of the UK government, and previously held the role of CEO of The Start-Up Loans Company, a key central government initiative supporting early-stage businesses. Tim has also held senior roles at Cahoot and IvoBank, bringing deep expertise in financial strategy and innovation.
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Professor Tony Chu

Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder

Tony is the former head of Dermatology at Imperial College, London and is internationally recognised as a leading authority on acne. He directed an investigative laboratory studying skin carcinogenesis, the immunobiology of acne, and the physiological states of Langerhans cells and cell histiocytosis. Tony also pioneered the use of the NLite laser (2014) as an acne treatment and advanced techniques in percutaneous collagen induction for the treatment of acne scarring.