Barcelona, Spain, August 9, 2026
Almirall announced a collaboration and licensing agreement with CrystalO, a China-based biotechnology company, to discover and develop novel small-molecule medicines for medical dermatology. The partnership forms part of Almirall’s broader innovation strategy focused on identifying external research programs that complement its internal capabilities and strengthen its pipeline in areas of significant unmet medical need. Under the agreement, CrystalO will lead early-stage activities including candidate discovery, optimization, IND-enabling studies and early clinical development, with the objective of establishing clinical proof of concept. Almirall will obtain exclusive rights outside mainland China and will be responsible for subsequent global development, manufacturing and commercialization activities. The agreement strengthens Almirall’s strategy of using strategic partnerships and scientific collaboration to expand its dermatology pipeline and identify differentiated treatment opportunities for patients with skin diseases.
CrystalO to Lead Discovery and Early Clinical Development
Under the collaboration, CrystalO will be responsible for advancing the partnered programs through multiple stages of early drug development. Its responsibilities will include small-molecule discovery and optimization, followed by IND-enabling studies designed to generate the data required to support potential clinical development. CrystalO will also conduct early clinical development with the goal of achieving clinical proof of concept (POC). The partnership is expected to leverage CrystalO’s expertise in ion channel drug discovery and its technology platform for identifying potential therapeutic candidates. By retaining responsibility for the early development stages, CrystalO can advance its programs using its established discovery and research capabilities, while Almirall can potentially access new dermatology assets without relying exclusively on internal discovery programs. The collaboration reflects the increasing role of cross-border partnerships in accelerating the identification and development of innovative medicines for complex dermatological conditions.
Almirall Gains Global Rights Outside Mainland China
Almirall will hold exclusive rights to the programs outside mainland China, giving the company the opportunity to lead their subsequent global development and commercialization. Following successful early development and achievement of clinical proof of concept, Almirall will be responsible for advancing the programs through later-stage clinical development, manufacturing and commercialisation in its licensed territories. The agreement therefore establishes a development model in which CrystalO contributes early discovery and clinical expertise while Almirall provides its global dermatology capabilities for subsequent development and market activities. The collaboration also expands Almirall’s innovation activities in China, where the company is seeking external R&D programs that can complement its existing scientific capabilities. The approach could allow Almirall to diversify its pipeline while accessing emerging technologies and drug discovery platforms from innovative biotechnology companies in the region.
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Partnership Strengthens Medical Dermatology Innovation Strategy
The agreement represents another step in Almirall’s efforts to build a differentiated pipeline focused on medical dermatology and conditions where patients continue to face significant unmet needs. The company said the collaboration reinforces its broader R&D strategy of identifying innovative local programs through strategic partnerships and scientific collaboration. CrystalO’s expertise in ion channel drug discovery could provide access to novel biological mechanisms and small-molecule approaches with potential applications across dermatological diseases. However, the partnered programs remain in early-stage development, and their ultimate therapeutic potential will depend on successful preclinical studies, clinical trials and regulatory evaluation. If the programs demonstrate convincing proof of concept and subsequently progress through development, Almirall’s global rights could position the company to advance potential new treatments across international markets. The collaboration highlights the growing importance of partnerships between global pharmaceutical companies and specialized biotechnology innovators in developing next-generation dermatology therapies.
Source: Almirall, release
