List of investigational acne drugs
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of investigational acne drugs, or drugs that are currently under development for clinical use in the treatment of acne but are not yet approved.
Chemical/generic names are listed first, with developmental code names, synonyms, and brand names in parentheses. The format of list items is "Name (Synonyms) – Mechanism of Action [Reference]".
This list was last comprehensively updated in September 2025. It is likely to become outdated with time.
Phase 3
- Benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin (IDP-120) – combination of benzoyl peroxide (undefined mechanism of action) and tretinoin (retinoid)[1]
- Berdazimer sodium (SB-204; MAP3-NONOate; NVN1000) – nitric oxide releasing agent[2]
- Denifanstat (ASC–40; TVB-2640) – fatty acid synthetase complex inhibitor[3]
- GED 0507-34-Levo (GED-0507; GED-0507-34; N-acetyl-GED-0507-34; NAC-GED-0507) – peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) modulator[4]
Phase 2/3
- B-244 (AOB-101; AOB-102; AOB-103; AOB-201; AOB-202; AOB-203; B244; nitrosomonas eutropha D23) – bacteria replacement[5]
Phase 2
- Acetylcysteine lysinate (L-lysine-N-acetyl-L-cysteinate; N-acetylcysteine lysinate; Nacystelyn) – antioxidant[6]
- Aminolevulinic acid (ALA; BF-200 ALA) – photosensitizer[7]
- Cannabidiol topical (CBD; BTX-1204; BTX-1308; BTX-1503; BTX-1702; BTX-1801; PBX-1308) – cannabinoid[8]
- Dimethylcurcumin (ASCJ-9; AJ-101; ASC-J9) – androgen receptor degradation enhancer[9]
- Imsidolimab (ANB-019) – monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-36 receptor[10]
- Ivermectin topical (CD-5024; Soolantra) – non-mammalian chloride channel opener[11]
- LYS-006 – leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) inhibitor[12]
- Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL; CD06809-41; Luxerm; MAL-PDT; Metvix; Metvixia; P-1202; Visonac) – photosensitizer[13]
- NAI Acne (BI-Acne; BI-K-0376; CB-06-01; CB-06-04; NAI-003; NAI-Acne; VIC-acne) – peptide elongation factor Tu inhibitor[14]
- Omiganan (CLS-001; CPI-226; MBI-226; MBI-594AN; MX-226; MX-594AN; Omigard) – antiseptic/antibacterial[15]
- Pyrilutamide (EX-A5504; HY-145451; KX–826) – antiandrogen (androgen receptor antagonist)[16]
- Tretinoin topical – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[17]
- VB-1953 – antibiotic and toll-like receptor antagonist[18]
Phase 1/2
- Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) – photosensitizer[19]
- SP-0268 (acne mRNA vaccine) – immunostimulant, vaccine[20]
Phase 1
- AMTX-100 – transcription factor modulator[21]
- ASC-60 (TVB-3567) – fatty acid synthetase complex inhibitor[22]
- Trifarotene – retinoic acid receptor gamma (RAR-γ) agonist[23]
Preclinical
- Acne vaccine – immunostimulant[24]
- ADA-308 – antiandrogen (androgen receptor antagonist)[25]
- Research programme: acne vulgaris therapeutics - Attillaps Pharmaceuticals – acetylcholinesterase inhibitors[26]
Research
- Topical acne vulgaris therapeutic (novel compound 8) – undefined mechanism of action[27]
Not under development
No development reported
- Adapalene/minocycline (FCD-105) – combination of adapalene (retinoid) and minocycline (tetracycline antibiotic)[28]
- Auriclosene (AgaDerm; AgaNase; AL-46383A; CD-07223; DCDMT; NVC-422) – aganocide compound and antimicrobial[29]
- Bermekimab (CA-18C3; CV-18C3; Hutruo; JNJ-77474462; MAB-p1; RA-18C3; T2-18C3; Xilonix) – monoclonal antibody against interleukin-1α[30]
- BOS-356 (GSK-3008356) – diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase inhibitor[31]
- Brilacidin (PMX-30063) – host defense protein (HDP) mimetic antibiotic[32]
- Carbamide peroxide topical (E-0301) – disinfectant and bleaching agent[33]
- CJM-112 – IL17A and IL17F inhibitor[34]
- Clindamycin/tretinoin – combination of clindamycin (lincosamide antibiotic) and tretinoin (retinoid)[35]
- Clindamycin/tretinoin – combination of clindamycin (lincosamide antibiotic) and tretinoin (retinoid)[36]
- DMT-200 (DMT-210; DMT-220; SIG-990) – isoprenylcysteine analogue and various actions[37]
- Estradiol valerate/dienogest (Climodien; Climodiène; Klimodien; Lafamme) – combination of estradiol valerate (estrogen) and dienogest (progestogen)[38]
- Ethinylestradiol/chlormadinone acetate (Balianca; Belara; GRT4248) – combination of ethinylestradiol (estrogen) and chlormadinone acetate (progestogen) and a combined oral contraceptive[39]
- Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone (Petibelle; SH-470; Yasmin; ZK-30595) – combination of ethinylestradiol (estrogen) and drospirenone (progestogen)[40]
- GSK-1940029 – stearoyl-CoA desaturase inhibitor[41]
- GT-20029 (AR-PROTAC) – androgen receptor degradation enhancer[42]
- IP10-C8 – CD13 antigen inhibitor and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitor[43]
- Minocycline extended release (Emrosi; Ximino) – tetracycline antibiotic[44]
- Minocycline topical (HY01) – tetracycline antibiotic[45]
- MTC-896 – melanocortin receptor antagonist[46]
- Nitric oxide (Enovid; FabiSpray; NORS-0791; NORS-1002; NORS-2791; NORS-4002; NORS-6491; NORS) – nitric oxide donor[47]
- ORG-101 (acne vulgaris vaccine; ORI-001; ORI-A-ce001) – immunostimulant, vaccine[48]
- Radezolid (RX-01667; Rx-01_667; RX-103; RX-1741) – oxazolidone antibiotic[49]
- Research programme: antimicrobial therapies - NovaBiotics – cell membrane permeability enhancers[50]
- Research programme: synthetic cannabinoid therapeutics - Claritas Pharmaceuticals – cannabinoids (cannabinoid receptor modulators)[51]
- Research programme: therapeutic antibody fragments - Kuur Therapeutics – various actions[52]
- Silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC; Axenohl) – antiseptic/antibacterial[53]
- Tazarotene topical (DFD-03) – retinoid X receptor agonist[54]
Discontinued
- Acebilustat (CTX-4430; EP-501) – leukotriene A4 (LTA4H) hydrolase inhibitor[55]
- Afamelanotide (CUV-1647; EPT-1647; Melanotan I; Melanotan; Prenumbra; Scenesse) – melanocortin receptor agonist[56]
- BBI-3000 – retinoid X receptor agonist[57]
- BMX-010 (MnTE-2-PyP) – reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and radioprotector[58]
- Botulinum toxin A liquid (AI-09) – acetylcholine release inhibitor and neuromuscular blocking agent[59]
- Botulinum toxin A topical (ANT-1207) – acetylcholine release inhibitor and neuromuscular blocking agent[60]
- Cioteronel (CPC-10997; Cyoctol; X-Andron) – antiandrogen (androgen receptor antagonist)[61]
- Diroleuton (DGLA; DHLA; DS-107; RO-12-1989) – omega-6 fatty acid and anti-inflammatory[62]
- DMVT-503 (RVT-503) – undefined mechanism of action[63]
- DX-0385 – retinoic acid metabolism modulator[64]
- Encapsulated tretinoin cream – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[65]
- Epristeride (Aipuliete; ONO-9302; SKF-105657) – 5α-reductase inhibitor[66]
- Falecalcitriol (DSC-103; F6VD3; flocalcitriol; Fulstan; hexafluorocalcitriol; hexafluorovitamin D3; Hornel; SM-8000; ST-630) – vitamin D/calcitriol analogue[67]
- Gevokizumab (S-78989; VPM-087; XMA-005.2) – monoclonal antibody against interleukin-1β[68]
- Hypochlorous acid (PR-013; PR-022) – disinfectant and other actions[69]
- Imsidolimab (ANB-019) – monoclonal antibody against the interleukin-36 receptor[70]
- Incyclinide (chemically modified tetracycline 3; CMT-3; COL-3; Metastat) – chemically modified tetracycline and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (no antibiotic activity)[71]
- Ingenol disoxate (LEO-43204) – undefined mechanism of action[72]
- JNJ-10229570 – melanocortin MC5 receptor antagonist[73]
- MDI-301 – undefined mechanism of action[74]
- MK-434 (MK-0434) – 5α-reductase inhibitor[75]
- MTCH-24 (Zilex; Zorex) – undefined mechanism of action[76]
- PF-06423264 – acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitor[77]
- PSK-3841 (HMR-3841; RU-58841) – antiandrogen (androgen receptor antagonist)[78]
- Research programme: acne therapeutics - Praxis – undefined mechanism of action[79]
- Research programme: tetracycline derivatives - Paratek Pharmaceuticals (P-004292) – tetracycline derivatives[80]
- Rose bengal sodium (PH-10; Provecta; PV-10; rose bengal; Xantryl) – immunomodulator and other actions[81]
- Santalum album ointment (albuterpenoid; East Indian sandalwood oil) – undefined mechanism of action[82]
- Talarozole (R115866; Rambazole) – retinoic acid metabolism modulator[83]
- Thykamine (PCT-233; PUR-0110) – undefined mechanism of action (anti-inflammatory)[84]
- Valproic acid topical (Avugane; Baceca; G2M-777) – histone deacetylase inhibitor and other actions[85]
- XEN-801 (XEN801) – stearoyl-CoA desaturase inhibitor[86]
- XOMA-629 (XMP-629) – endotoxin inhibitor[87]
- Zileuton (A-64077; Abbott-64077; ABT-077; CRTX-073; CTI-02; Zyflo) – 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor[88]
Not under development
- Isotretinoin topical – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[89]
Clinically used drugs
Approved drugs
Single-drug formulations
- Adapalene (CD-271; Differin) – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[90]
- Azelaic acid (BAY39-6251; Finacea; Skinoren) – undefined mechanism of action[91]
- Benzoyl peroxide (Bepio; M6050; M605101) – undefined mechanism of action[92]
- Clascoterone (Breezula; Winlevi; CB-03-01; cortexolone 17α-propionate) – antiandrogen (androgen receptor antagonist)[93]
- Clindamycin (ResiDerm A; Zindaclin) – lincosamide antibiotic[94]
- Dapsone topical (Aczone; Atrisone) – sulfone antibiotic[95]
- Doxycycline hyclate (Acticlate; Monodox; AQ101) – tetracycline antibiotic[96]
- Isotretinoin (Absorica; Accutane; CIP-isotretinoin; Epuris; Lisacne-CIP) – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[97]
- Minocycline (DFD-10; DFD-29; Emrosi; Minolira) – tetracycline antibiotic[98]
- Minocycline foam (Amzeeq; FMX-102; FMX-103; FMX-101; FXFM-244; Zilxi) – tetracycline antibiotic[99]
- Nadifloxacin topical – fluoroquinolone antibiotic[100]
- Ozenoxacin (Dubine; GF-001001-00; M-5120; M-512101; M-512102; Ozadub; Ozanex; T-3912; Xepi; Zebiax) – quinolone antibiotic[101]
- Sarecycline (Seysara; P-0005672; WC-3035) – narrow-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic[102]
- Solubilised benzoyl peroxide (CLENZIderm M.D.; SoluCLENZ Rx Gel) – undefined mechanism of action[103]
- Tazarotene topical (AGN-190299; Avage; Fabior; Suretin; Tazorac; Zorac) – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[104]
- Tretinoin (Acnisdin Retinoico; All-trans retinoic acid; Arotinoid; Avita; Dermojuventus; Loderm Retinoico; NSC 122758; Retinoic acid; Retirides; Vesanoid; Vitamin A acid; Vitamin-A Acid; Vitanol) – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[105]
- Tretinoin lotion (Altreno; IDP-121) – retinoid (retinoic acid receptor agonist)[106]
- Trifarotene (Aklief; CD-5789) – retinoid acid receptor gamma (RAR-γ) agonist[107]
Combination formulations
- Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide (CD-0271/CD-1579; Epiduo; GK-530G; Tactuo; TactuPump) – combination of adapalene (retinoid) and benzoyl peroxide (undefined mechanism of action)[108]
- Adapalene/benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin phosphate (Cabtreo; IDP-126) – combination of adapalene (retinoid), benzoyl peroxide (undefined mechanism of action), and clindamycin phosphate (lincosamide antibiotic)[109]
- Benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin (Duac) – combination of benzoyl peroxide (undefined mechanism of action) and clindamycin (lincosamide antibiotic)[110]
- Benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin low dose (Acanya; BenzaClin; Clin-BPO; Onexton) – combination of benzoyl peroxide (undefined mechanism of action) and clindamycin (lincosamide antibiotic)[111]
- Benzoyl peroxide/tretinoin – combination of benzoyl peroxide (undefined mechanism of action) and tretinoin (retinoid)[112]
- Clindamycin/tretinoin (Acnatac; Acnex; CLin-RA; Ziana) – combination of clindamycin (lincosamide antibiotic) and tretinoin (retinoid)[113]
- Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone low-dose (Yasmin, Yaz) – combination of ethinylestradiol (estrogen) and drospirenone (progestogen) and a combined oral contraceptive[114]
- Ethinylestradiol/drospirenone/levomefolic acid (BAY98-7071; Beyaz; Safyral; Yasmin Plus; Yaz Flex Plus; Yaz Plus) – combination of ethinylestradiol (estrogen), drospirenone (progestogen), and levomefolic acid (vitamin B9) and a combined oral contraceptive[115]
Off-label drugs
- Antihistamines (histamine H1 receptor antagonists) (e.g., cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine)[116][117]
- Corticosteroids (corticosteroid receptor agonists) (e.g., hydrocortisone, prednisone, triamcinolone acetonide)[118][119][120][121]
- Hydroquinone – tyrosinase inhibitor and skin-lightening agent[122][123][124]
- Nicotinamide (niacinamide) – vitamin B3[125][126]
- Oral antiandrogens (androgen receptor antagonists) (e.g., spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, flutamide, bicalutamide, ketoconazole, cimetidine)[127][121][128][129][130]
- Other antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, metronidazole, sulfacetamide)
- Other ethinylestradiol-containing combined oral contraceptives[131][132][129]
- Salicylic acid – various actions (keratolytic, comedolytic, and bacteriostatic)[133][125]
- Zinc – undefined mechanism of action (antibacterial and anti-inflammatory)[134][135][136][125]