Company History

Peplin was founded in 1998 to advance promising research undertaken by its founder Dr Jim Aylward. Dr Aylward, utilizing facilities at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), was interested in evaluating the anti-cancer properties of natural products sourced from non-indigenous plants of the genus Euphorbiaceae. In particular, Dr. Aylward was interested in the science behind the observation that the sap of Euphorbia peplus had enjoyed a history of community use as a treatment for skin cancer conditions.

Peplin secured private funding and a government grant to pursue the early development of this science. The promising early observations in this study supported an initial public offering for Peplin in September 2000.

In June 2004, two INDs were filed with US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the clinical development of PEP005 for actinic (solar) keratosis (AK) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). This program entered clinical development in August 2004 with Phase 1 AK results reported in January 2005.

Peplin initiated a comprehensive Phase 2 clinical program for PEP005 (ingenol mebutate) Gel for AK and BCC in March 2005. This progress led to Peplin securing the support of international investors through a $40 million capital raising led by MPM Capital in May 2006.

In October 2007, Peplin acquired all the outstanding ordinary shares of Peplin Limited pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement that was approved by the Federal Court of Australia and by more than 75% in voting interest and 50% in number of Peplin Limited's shareholders present and voting at the meeting of shareholders. As a result of the Scheme of Arrangement, Peplin was redomiciled in Delaware as a US company.

Peplin entered its first Phase 3 trial, REGION-I, for AK in September 2008 and completed it in May 2009. Additional Phase 3 trials in AK are ongoing.

In November 2009, LEO Pharma, a Denmark-based, privately-held, leading global pharmaceutical company in Dermatology and Critical Care,  acquired Peplin, Inc.  Peplin now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary.