WAYNE, Pa., Oct. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACRS), a dermatologist-led biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative therapies to address significant unmet patient needs in aesthetic and medical dermatology and immunology, today announced it has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with Allergan Sales, LLC to acquire worldwide rights to RHOFADE® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) cream, 1% and additional intellectual property. The acquisition includes an exclusive license to certain intellectual property for RHOFADE, which is approved for the topical treatment of persistent facial erythema (redness) associated with rosacea in adults. This transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including certain governmental regulatory clearances, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018. Allergan has agreed to provide support to Aclaris to allow for a smooth transition of RHOFADE.

Under the terms of the agreement, the purchase price includes an upfront cash payment of $65 million due at closing, a development milestone payment related to the potential development of an additional dermatology product, and tiered royalties on net sales.

Allergan developed and brought RHOFADE to market in 2017 after acquiring the drug as part of its 2011 acquisition of Vicept Therapeutics, Inc., a company established by certain members of the current senior management team of Aclaris.

“We are excited to acquire RHOFADE. Our team is very familiar with the asset and the market opportunity,” said Dr. Neal Walker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aclaris. “It is a rare opportunity to acquire an asset which was on a good trajectory with this level of initial launch activities completed.”

Potential Strategic and Financial Benefits of the Transaction

• Expected synergies by leveraging current infrastructure and sales force in the U.S.
• Significant overlap in existing call points for current field force who will detail both ESKATA® (hydrogen peroxide) topical solution, 40% (w/w) and RHOFADE.
• RHOFADE intellectual property includes multiple patents, the last of which expires in 2035.
• RHOFADE is expected to be accretive to Aclaris’ EBITDA beginning in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The National Rosacea Society (NRS) estimates that approximately 16 million Americans are affected by rosacea. Persistent facial redness is cited as the most common sign of rosacea, and may resemble a flushing or sunburn that does not go away. Typical triggers include sun exposure, stress, weather, food, and exercise. In an NRS survey, 65% of rosacea patients surveyed said their symptoms first appeared between 30-60 years of age.

Financing

Aclaris also today announced entering into a loan and security agreement with Oxford Finance LLC. Under the terms of the loan agreement, $30 million will be made available for borrowing until October 31, 2018, and the remaining $35 million will be made available upon the closing of the RHOFADE acquisition until March 31, 2019.

Update on Commercial Activities

• Over 1,000 ESKATA accounts opened to date.
• Sales force focused on driving clinical and business integration in existing ESKATA accounts in addition to expanding account base.
• National DTC campaign initiated on October 1.

Preliminary Financial Results for Quarter Ended September 30, 2018

As of September 30, 2018, Aclaris had $134 million of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Aclaris anticipates that its cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of September 30, 2018 will be sufficient to fund its operations into the second half of 2019, assuming the payment by Aclaris of $65 million upon the closing of the RHOFADE acquisition and the borrowing by Aclaris of the full $65 million under the loan agreement, and without giving effect to any potential new business development transactions or financing activities. Aclaris estimates that revenue from sales of ESKATA for the third quarter of 2018 is expected to be approximately $0.5 million. These results are preliminary and unaudited and are subject to change based on the completion of Aclaris’ normal quarter-end review process. As a result, these preliminary results may be different from the actual results that will be reflected in Aclaris’ consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 when they are released.

About Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. is a dermatologist-led biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative therapies to address significant unmet needs in dermatology, both aesthetic and medical, and immunology. Aclaris’ focus on market segments with no FDA-approved medications or where treatment gaps exist has resulted in the first FDA-approved treatment for raised seborrheic keratoses and several clinical programs to develop medications for the potential treatment of common warts, alopecia areata, and vitiligo. For additional information, please visit www.aclaristx.com and follow Aclaris on LinkedIn.

About RHOFADE®

RHOFADE® (oxymetazoline hydrochloride) cream, 1% is an FDA-approved prescription treatment that is indicated for the topical treatment of persistent facial erythema associated with rosacea in adults. RHOFADE was approved in the U.S. in January 2017.