# DermBiont, Inc.

> DermBiont is a Boston-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class targeted topical therapeutics that treat the root cause of common skin diseases. Its lead programs are SM-020, a topical AKT kinase inhibitor for seborrheic keratoses, and SM-030, a topical PKC-beta inhibitor for melasma and other hyperpigmentation disorders, with earlier-stage work aimed at basal cell carcinoma and Gorlin syndrome. Founded in 2017 by dermatology-drug veteran Karl Beutner, the company has raised roughly $79M-plus across multiple rounds, including a $35.2M Series B led by Double Point Ventures in 2023.

- **Founded:** 2017
- **Headquarters:** Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- **Founders:** Karl Beutner (Co-founder, CEO & Chief Medical Officer), Nichola Eliovits (Co-founder & CFO), Robert Brucker (Co-founder (per some sources))
- **Team size:** ~13 employees
- **Products:** SM-020, SM-030, Basal cell carcinoma / Gorlin syndrome program
- **Notable:** Advanced SM-020 to a fully enrolled Phase 2b trial for seborrheic keratoses, a common condition with few drug options., Demonstrated in Phase 2 that its melasma candidate SM-030 outperformed 4% hydroquinone., Raised a $35.2M Series B in 2023 led by Double Point Ventures, bringing total funding to roughly $79M+.

## Products & services

- **SM-020** — A first-in-class topical AKT kinase inhibitor gel for the treatment of seborrheic keratoses. In Phase 2 studies, over 80% of treated lesions responded and over 50% cleared completely with the 1.0% gel; a Phase 2b trial (CT-213) was fully enrolled with topline data expected in 2024.
- **SM-030** — A topical PKC-beta inhibitor for melasma and other hyperpigmentation disorders. In a Phase 2a proof-of-concept study it showed greater efficacy than 4% hydroquinone with superior tolerability and safety.
- **Basal cell carcinoma / Gorlin syndrome program** — Earlier-stage topical therapeutic work targeting basal cell carcinomas and skin-cancer prevention, including in patients with Gorlin syndrome.

## Achievements

- Advanced SM-020 to a fully enrolled Phase 2b trial for seborrheic keratoses, a common condition with few drug options.
- Demonstrated in Phase 2 that its melasma candidate SM-030 outperformed 4% hydroquinone.
- Raised a $35.2M Series B in 2023 led by Double Point Ventures, bringing total funding to roughly $79M+.
- Acquired Chromaderm in 2021 to broaden its hyperpigmentation pipeline.
- Built a first-in-class portfolio of targeted topical kinase inhibitors (AKT and PKC-beta).

## Latest updates

- **2024-02** — Announced a 2024 development pipeline update covering its first-in-class topical therapeutics for seborrheic keratoses, basal cell carcinomas, and melasma.
- **2023-10** — Announced first close of a $35.2M Series B financing led by Double Point Ventures to advance SM-020 and SM-030.
- **2021-12** — Raised $28M in Series A2 funding and acquired Chromaderm to expand its topical therapeutics pipeline.

## Links

- Website: https://dermbiont.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dermbiont

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-12