Dermira was founded and seed financed in late 2010 by former members of the Peplin and Connetics leadership teams, including Tom Wiggans and Dr. Eugene Bauer together with Bay City Capital based on the belief that while many common yet serious skin conditions have unsatisfactory treatment options, dermatology has attracted limited research resources and investment. They were immediately joined by Chris Griffith, previously at Gilead and Bay City Capital, and Luis Peña, previously at Stiefel, a GSK Company, to launch Dermira, a development stage private biotech company focused on developing and commercializing innovative new therapies in dermatology.

In August 2011, Dermira completed a $42 million series A financing from committed investors and acquired Valocor Therapeutics located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our portfolio now includes lemuteporfin, a potent and selective topical photodynamic therapy for sebaceous gland disorders, including acne, and a portfolio of novel, topical small molecule therapeutics targeting acne, sebaceous gland hyperactivity and inflammatory skin diseases.

Dermira will also continue to pursue additional development and commercial opportunities in dermatology for licensing or acquisition.

Dermira is headquartered in Redwood City, California.