- XYNGARI™ achieved its primary endpoints, demonstrating highly statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in acne -
- XYNGARI™ is the first once-weekly topical product candidate to demonstrate clinical benefit in a Phase 3 clinical trial for moderate-to-severe acne -
- Over 30 million acne patients seek treatment in the U.S. each year -
SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dermata Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRMA, DRMAW) ("Dermata" or the "Company"), a late-stage biotechnology company focusing on the treatment of medical skin diseases and aesthetic applications, today announced positive topline results from the Company's first pivotal Phase 3 trial of XYNGARI™, a novel, once-weekly, topical product candidate for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne. XYNGARITM also appeared to be safe and well tolerated by patients with minimal treatment related adverse events and no serious adverse events attributed to treatment.
Dermata Logo (PRNewsfoto/Dermata Therapeutics, Inc.)
The XYNGARI™ Phase 3 Spongilla Treatment for Acne Research (STAR-1) trial met all three primary endpoints by achieving a statistically significant difference when compared with placebo after 12 weeks of once weekly treatments with XYNGARI™.
"I believe having a once-weekly topical product with a strong efficacy and safety profile, like XYNGARI™, would be a great addition to a dermatologist's arsenal for treating acne," commented Dr. Sunil Dhawan, MD, FAAD, FACP, clinical investigator at the Center for Dermatology Clinical Research, Inc., a participating site in the STAR-1 trial. "All FDA approved topical acne products are required to be applied at least once or twice a day, which may reduce patient compliance, so I believe having a once-weekly topical acne product like XYNGARI™ could lead to improved patient compliance," concluded Dr. Dhawan.
"We are incredibly excited about these Phase 3 clinical trial results for XYNGARI™, which we believe reinforce its potential as a unique acne treatment, distinct from any existing product on the market," said Gerry Proehl, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Dermata. "The highly statistically significant efficacy data not only confirms the results of our Phase 2b acne study but also strengthens our confidence about the upcoming XYNGARI™ Phase 3 STAR-2 trial, set to launch in the second half of 2025. With these positive Phase 3 clinical trial results, we are eager to advance discussions with potential partners interested in securing future rights to XYNGARI™," Mr. Proehl added.
XYNGARI™ Phase 3 STAR-1 Clinical Study Design
The XYNGARI™ Phase 3 STAR-1 clinical study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of XYNGARI™ in patients with moderate-to-severe facial acne. The STAR-1 study was a randomized (2:1), double-blind, and placebo-controlled study which enrolled 520 patients with moderate-to-severe acne, ages 9 years and older in the United States and Latin America. The primary endpoints include the mean change from baseline in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts and the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) treatment response. IGA is measured on a 5-point scale (0-4), with a treatment response defined as at least a 2-point improvement from baseline and an IGA score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear). Patients were treated once-a-week for 12 weeks with either XYNGARI™ or placebo and were evaluated monthly. The STAR-1 study is the first of two pivotal Phase 3 studies, with the second Phase 3 study to be followed by an extension study. If positive, the results of the Phase 3 program would be used to support the filing of a new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
XYNGARI™ Phase 3 STAR-1 Topline Efficacy Results
In the intent to treat analysis, Dermata saw statistically significant differences in IGA treatment success, inflammatory lesion count, and non-inflammatory lesion count at Week 12 (study end) when compared to placebo.
Investigator Global Assessment: Patients achieving a 2-point reduction AND score of 0 or 1 ("clear" or "almost clear")
Week 12
XYNGARI™ (n=342)
29.4 %
Placebo (n=178)
15.2 %
p-value
p < 0.001
Mean change from baseline in inflammatory lesion count
Week 12
XYNGARI™ (n=342)
-16.8
Placebo (n=178)
-13.1
p-value
p < 0.001
Mean change from baseline in non-inflammatory lesion count
Week 12
XYNGARI™ (n=342)
-17.3
Placebo (n=178)
-12.4
p-value
p < 0.001
"We wish to thank the study subjects and investigators for their participation in our study, as we could not have had this success without them," states Christopher Nardo, Ph.D., Chief Development Officer of Dermata. "The clinical response observed in our XYNGARI™ Phase 3 STAR-1 trial gives us confidence that XYNGARI™, if approved, could alter the current treatment paradigm in acne by providing patients with a novel, natural, once-weekly treatment option with minimal side effects and potentially quicker time to treatment effect."
Based on these results, Dermata plans to initiate the second XYNAGRI™ Phase 3 STAR-2 trial in the second half of 2025, which will be followed by an open-label extension study. If the STAR-2 study produces positive results, the Phase 3 program will help support the filing of a new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
About XYNGARI™ (formerly DMT310)
XYNGARI™ is a novel, once-weekly, topical product candidate derived from a freshwater sponge being developed for the treatment of multiple skin diseases. XYNGARI™ has multiple mechanisms of action that include mechanical components and chemical compounds to help treat inflammatory skin diseases, like acne. After processing, the sponge powder contains precisely sized and shaped silica spicules that upon application may help exfoliate the skin, promote collagen production, open closed comedones (creating an aerobic environment to help kill C. acne bacteria), and create microchannels to facilitate penetration of the sponge's naturally occurring chemical compounds. These chemical compounds have been shown, in-vitro, to have both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which may play a significant role in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
About Acne Vulgaris
Over 30 million acne patients in the U.S. seek treatment each year, with about 85% of U.S. teenagers experiencing some form of acne, and some individuals suffering from acne well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. Acne is characterized by areas of scaly red skin, non-inflammatory blackheads and whiteheads, inflammatory papules and pustules, and occasionally cysts and scarring, which can present on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms. While not life-threatening, acne can cause significant trauma for those suffering from it due to social stigmas, substantial risk of permanent facial scarring, lowered self-esteem, and social withdrawal.
About Dermata Therapeutics
Dermata Therapeutics is a late-stage biotechnology company focusing on the treatment of medical skin diseases and aesthetic applications. The Company's lead product candidate, XYNGARI™, is currently in Phase 3 and is the Company's first product candidate being developed from its Spongilla technology platform. XYNGARI™ is a once-weekly, topical product candidate derived from a naturally sourced freshwater sponge with multiple unique mechanisms of action. In addition to acne, XYNGARI™ is being studied for the treatment of psoriasis and rosacea. The Company's second product candidate, DMT410, uses its XYNGARI™ product candidate as a new method for needle-free intradermal delivery of botulinum toxin for the treatment of multiple aesthetic applications and medical skin diseases. Dermata is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information, please visit http://www.dermatarx.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's current beliefs and expectations and new risks may emerge from time to time. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors including, but are not limited to, statements related to: expectations with regard to the potential market acceptance of any of the Company's product candidates; timing of trials and data events, including the initiation of a Phase 3 STAR-2 trial and extension study; expectations with regard to the timing and/or results or responses from meetings with regulatory bodies, including the FDA; expectations with regard to the timing of a New Drug Application with the FDA; the success, cost, funds available, and timing of its product candidate XYNGARI™ development activities and ongoing and planned clinical trials; and whether the results of XYNGARI™ will lead to future product development, partnerships, or approvals. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of such words as "may," "could," "should," "would," "believe," "anticipate," "forecast," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "continue," "outlook," "will," "potential" and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug development, approval, commercialization, and the fact that past results of clinical trials may not be indicative of future trial results. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to Dermata's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement and Dermata undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by law.
