EpiPharm AG

What EpiPharm AG does

EpiPharm AG is a privately held, clinical-stage Swiss biopharmaceutical company developing natural, plant-derived topical treatments for aesthetic and medical skin disorders. The company's core scientific discovery is that artemisinins (compounds from Artemisia plants) are effective in treating melanocytic lesions, seborrhoeic keratosis, and other skin conditions, and it has built a proprietary multi-active composition platform around synergistically acting Artemisia-derived ingredients. Its product and project portfolio spans a dermato-cosmetic line (Epi MAserum on market in Switzerland, China, and notified in the EU; Epi MA-Tcream and Epi DAserum ready for market launch; Epi SPcream in development) and a prescription pharmaceutical pipeline (EPI-SK 14 with a completed Phase I/II in seborrheic keratosis published in the British Journal of Dermatology; EPI-SK17 selected as lead candidate entering Phase IIb; EPI-N06 Phase I/II completed in hyperpigmented lesions).

The business model is asset-light and partner-centric: EpiPharm develops formulations and clinical data, and generates (or intends to generate) revenue through out-licensing and co-development partnerships for commercialization, rather than through direct sales. The lead product Epi MAserum reaches end users through unspecified commercial partners in China, Switzerland, and the EU, and all pipeline assets are flagged as available for out-licensing. The company is supported by a small in-house management team led by Dr. Rosemarie Sift Carter (CEO) and Dr. Robert Carter (Head of Development and Regulatory), both with backgrounds at major pharmaceutical companies (Ciba, Novartis, Janssen, Roche, Abbott, BASF, Acino) and Swissmedic, supplemented by an international advisor network covering medicinal chemistry, preclinical safety, formulation, and clinical imaging.

EpiPharm is headquartered in Binningen, Switzerland, operates with 1-10 employees, is privately financed with no disclosed funding rounds, and is built on a granted patent on artemether for topical use in seborrhoeic keratosis (IP protection until 2027/2034). It is pre-revenue or sub-$1M by reasonable inference, with no disclosed financial metrics, and serves end customers (dermatology patients, aesthetic clinics, and consumer skincare users) indirectly through its licensing partners.

Name

EpiPharm AG

Legal name

EpiPharm AG

Website

https://epipharm.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EpiPharm AG is a privately held, clinical-stage Swiss biopharmaceutical company developing natural artemisinin-based topical treatments and dermato-cosmetics for skin disorders, generating revenue by out-licensing its formulations and pipeline to commercial partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dermatology Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermatology & Aesthetics Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAL), Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)

Keywords

• Artemisinin dermatology
• Dermato-cosmetic products
• Skin disorder treatments
• Seborrheic keratosis therapy
• Hyperpigmentation treatments

Headquarters

HQ city

Binningen

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Product Licensing: EpiPharm develops pharmaceutical and dermato-cosmetic products and out-licenses them to partners for commercialization. Products are available for out-licensing including Epi MAserum, Epi MA-Tcream, Epi DAserum, and Epi SPcream.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

EpiPharm AG develops artemisinin-based dermatology products, including dermato-cosmetic skincare products (Epi MAserum, Epi MA-Tcream, Epi DAserum, Epi SPcream) and pharmaceutical projects (EPI-SK17, EPI-SK 14, EPI-N06) for the treatment of skin disorders such as seborrheic keratosis, hyperpigmentation, acne, dermatitis, and age-related conditions. The company operates a partner-centric model, out-licensing its products to commercial partners for sale in markets including the EU, Switzerland, and China.

Product overview

EpiPharm AG is a clinical-stage biotech company developing a portfolio of dermato-cosmetic products and pharmaceutical projects for skin disorders. The dermato-cosmetic line includes four products: Epi MAserum (for acne, hyperpigmentation, and UV protection, on market in EU/China/CH), Epi MA-Tcream (for dermatitis-prone skin, ready for launch), Epi DAserum (anti-aging, ready for launch), and Epi SPcream (sun protection, in development). The pharmaceutical pipeline includes EPI-SK17 (lead seborrheic keratosis candidate entering Phase IIb), EPI-SK 14 (completed Phase I/II), and EPI-N06 (hyperpigmentation treatment completing Phase I/II). All products utilize the company's proprietary multi-active composition derived from Artemisia plants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Epi MAserum (also marketed as Epi MA / AA-C) Multi-active serum that reduces acne and blemishes, fades hyperpigmented spots, brightens skin tone and texture, and protects skin from air pollution and UV damage. Demonstrates strong anti-pollution, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial effects; significantly increases skin density and elasticity (anti-aging). 100% natural and vegan, Swiss-made. Notified in EU, on the market in China and Switzerland; available for out-licensing.
• Epi MA-Tcream Calms itching and dermatitis-prone skin, protects skin from inflammation, regenerates skin, and restores skin health. Status: ready for market launch; available for out-licensing.
• Epi DAserum
• Epi SPcream
• EPI-SK17 Lead pharmaceutical product candidate for seborrheic keratosis treatment using artemether. Distinguished by greater potency and shorter treatment duration compared to other artemisinin derivatives. About to enter phase IIb clinical development. Represents the first SK therapy that treats tumor formation and growth.
• EPI-SK 14 Phase I/II clinical-stage artemether-based topical treatment for seborrheic keratosis. Successfully completed Phase I/II study demonstrating clinically relevant and statistically significant regression of SK lesions in size, color, and texture, with continued regression after treatment stop. Results published in British Journal of Dermatology.
• EPI-N06 Topical, novel treatment of melanocytic pigmented lesions (nevi and age spots) which targets melanin formation by synergistic mechanisms of action and different pathways. Phase I/II study completed successfully without tolerability issues, showing clinically relevant regression of lesion size and color and a marked reduction of melanin in the epidermis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Clinically relevant and statistically significant regression of seborrheic keratosis lesions in size, color and texture (EPI-SK 14 study)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Prof. R. Haynes (HKUST)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedicinal Chemistry advisor providing expertise in chemical compound development and optimization for the company's artemisinin-based dermatology treatments.
• Prof. A. Dayan (University of London)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreclinical Safety advisor providing expertise in safety assessment and regulatory compliance for the company's pharmaceutical development programs.
• Dr. med. A HärtelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical consultant based in Switzerland providing clinical and medical expertise for product development and regulatory affairs.
• Dr. A. Watkinson (Storith Consulting)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFormulation Development consultant from UK providing expertise in pharmaceutical formulation for topical dermatology products.
• Phytovero CHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSwitzerland-based formulation development partner specializing in natural plant-derived products for the company's dermato-cosmetic formulations.
• Medpharm UKminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUK-based formulation development specialist providing pharmaceutical formulation development services for topical dermatology products.
• Skin Test Institute CHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSwitzerland-based testing institute providing efficacy and safety testing services for cosmetic products.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Biofrontera: Specialty dermatology company focused on photodynamic therapy for actinic keratosis and field cancerization, also developing topical treatments. Comparable to EpiPharm's EPI-SK17 / actinic keratosis-related work and a likely candidate for partnering or M&A.

Direct peers

• Dermavant Sciences: Clinical-stage dermatology biotech developing topical therapeutics (e.g., tapinarof) for inflammatory and proliferative skin diseases. Closely comparable to EpiPharm as a small, focused topical dermatology developer pursuing indications like seborrheic keratosis and atopic dermatitis.
• Sol-Gel Technologies: Specialty dermatology company developing topical generic and branded products, including a partnered seborrheic keratosis program (WYNZORA). Comparable to EpiPharm in targeting SK with a topical, partner-leveraged commercial model.
• Aclaris Therapeutics: Clinical-stage dermatology company developing novel topical and systemic therapies for skin diseases including seborrheic keratosis (AS-15001) and common warts. Highly comparable given overlapping indication set and similar stage / partner-driven model.
• Arcutis Biotherapeutics: Dermatology-focused biotech commercializing topical roflumilast for seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Direct comparator for EpiPharm in the topical dermatology therapeutics category and a potential future competitor in seborrheic dermatoses.

Broad incumbents

• Galderma: Largest pure-play dermatology company globally, with a portfolio spanning aesthetics, prescription derm and consumer skincare. A natural potential out-licensing/partnering counterparty for EpiPharm and the dominant commercial benchmark in the categories EpiPharm targets.
• Dermapharm Holding: German specialty pharma focused on dermatology and allergology with branded generics and OTC dermato-cosmetics. Comparable to EpiPharm in business model mix and a credible EU commercialization partner.
• Pierre Fabre Dermatologie: Diversified European dermatology player covering dermo-cosmetics, medical skincare and prescription dermatology. Comparable to EpiPharm across the dermato-cosmetic and pharmaceutical split and a logical partner for the EU/Switzerland channel.
• L'Oréal Dermatological Beauty: Active dermo-cosmetics division (La Roche-Posay, Vichy, SkinCeuticals) with global reach into dermatology channels. Comparable to EpiPharm's dermato-cosmetic line in target indications (acne, hyperpigmentation, anti-aging) and a probable out-licensing partner for the Epi MA / Epi DA serums.

Regional players

• Phytopharmaka / standardized botanical dermatology developers (e.g., Dr. Wolff Group): European consumer and dermato-cosmetic groups with plant-based skincare product lines (e.g., Alcina, Plantur). Comparable to EpiPharm's botanical, multi-active positioning and a potential out-licensing or distribution partner in the DACH region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EpiPharm AG