Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. of Malvern says it has raised more than $42 million since it formed in 2012, and just announced it has closed on a $21 million Series B financing.

The privately-held specialty pharmaceutical company, founded in 2012, is focused on developing the first topically applied therapy directed toward removing seborrheic keratosis (SK) and other verrucoid lesions of the skin.

The financing was completed through existing Series A investors, Vivo Ventures, Fidelity Biosciences and Sofinnova Ventures. The three additional firms came aboard following recent positive results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of Aclaris’ lead product candidate, A-101, which demonstrated clinically and statistically significant improvements in clearing SK, one of the most common types of skin tumors.

Two additional Phase 2b clinical trials evaluating A-101 in SK treatment are ongoing.

“This financing will enable Aclaris to advance A-101 through to the filing of a new drug application with the FDA,” said Dr. Neal Walker, president and CEO of Aclaris. “We believe A-101 has the potential to address an unmet clinical need for millions of patients with SK and we are pleased to have an outstanding group of investors that share this belief.”

SK is one of the most common benign tumors seen in older adults and affects approximately 83 million people in the U.S. SK lesions have a waxy, scaly, slightly elevated appearance and often multiple growths are present. While benign, many patients elect to have SK treated either because the lesions have become irritated or are cosmetically concerning.

Currently, SK lesions are treated using cryosurgery, electrosurgery, curettage, or surgical removal – which often result in pigmentary changes and/or scarring at the treatment site.

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