Cosmederm Bioscience

About Cosmederm Bioscience

Cosmederm Bioscience, Inc. operated as a specialty pharmaceutical company with a focus on developing treatments for pain and dermatological conditions. Founded in 1998 by Gary Hahn, the San Diego-based company centered its efforts on a technology platform for non-steroidal topical solutions and non-opioid pain management.

The company's product portfolio included over-the-counter (OTC) topical products for various skin conditions. A key product line was TriCalm®, a non-steroidal, anti-itch treatment. The TriCalm® family of products, which included a hydrogel, clinical repair cream, and an extra strength spray, was formulated to provide relief from minor skin irritations caused by insect bites, poison ivy, and other conditions that induce itching and burning. The active ingredient in the TriCalm Hydrogel was Aluminum acetate, which acts as an astringent. These products were marketed as a steroid-free alternative to common hydrocortisone creams.

In August 2016, Cosmederm Bioscience divested its TriCalm® product line to Life Wear Technologies, a supplier of sports medicine products. This strategic move allowed Cosmederm to concentrate on its core strength in drug development. Following this transaction, the company continued its focus on its pharmaceutical pipeline, which included a lead product, C746, for neuropathic pain that was in Phase 1/2 development. The company secured $50 million in a private equity funding round on October 13, 2014, from Woodford Investment Management. According to PitchBook data, the company is now out of business, having undergone a liquidation process in October 2017.