SkinBioTherapeutics inks Superdrug deal, raises £4.1m

(Sharecast News) - SkinBioTherapeutics announced on Monday that it has signed an exclusive UK commercial agreement with Superdrug for its 'AxisBiotix' range of food supplements targeting inflammatory skin conditions, while also raising £4.1m through a placing and subscription to support the rollout and related operational needs. The AIM-traded firm said the two-year agreement would see Superdrug become the exclusive UK retail partner for both AxisBiotix-Ps, which targets psoriasis, and AxisBiotix-Ac, which is aimed at acne sufferers.

It would be the first commercial availability of the acne treatment.

Initial sales would begin in powder form in September, with a phased rollout to additional stores beginning in spring 2026.

SkinBioTherapeutics said it would retain direct online sales rights via its website and Amazon.

To support this launch, the company said it had raised £4.1m through the issue of over 24 million new shares at 17p each, including a £0.6m subscription from major shareholder David Brierwood.

A separate retail offer of up to £0.615m was also being made available to existing shareholders via the WRAP platform.

Separately, AxisBiotix-Ps had received the 'Seal of Recognition' from the US National Psoriasis Foundation, which the company said helped to validate the product's safety and suitability for people with psoriatic disease.

The endorsement was expected to aid commercial traction in the US market.

Proceeds from the fundraising would be used to meet manufacturing and packaging deadlines, develop capsule and gum formats for the AxisBiotix products, and fund marketing to support brand visibility.

"The commercial agreement with Superdrug is a major milestone as we sign our first national high street agreement," said chief executive officer Stuart Ashman.

"We have been in discussions for a considerable period of time to determine the right way to promote, package and roll-out both of the AxisBiotix products."

Ashman said that importantly, the company retained the worldwide rights to sell the products itself directly online and via Amazon, and remained in control over how the products are promoted.

"We have a very tight timeframe to produce and deliver the stock required for launch and to ensure that we have sufficient levels going forward to avoid a back-order position."

Admission of the new shares to AIM was expected on 24 June.

At 1551 BST, shares in SkinBioTherapeutics were down 6.67% at 16.1p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.