Peplin Snapshot
Avid sun worshippers might do well to follow Peplin's progress. The company is developing drugs aimed at treating potentially cancerous skin conditions. Its lead drug candidate, a topical gel, is intended to serve as a less-costly alternative to surgical treatments for a common pre-cancerous skin condition known as actinic keratosis (AK). Derived from a plant known as petty spurge or radium weed, the product will be used to treat AK (characterized by rough patches of skin resulting from excessive exposure to sunlight) before it develops into skin cancer. Peplin was acquired by pharmaceutical giant LEO Pharma in late 2009 for $285 million.