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Through IPI’s industry-technology matching services, Good Pharma Dermatology collaborated with the National Skin Centre (NSC) to commercialise an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-itch moisturizer.

Good Pharma Dermatology is a Singapore pharmaceutical sales and marketing company focusing on hospital specialty and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. It was constantly looking for opportunities to introduce new products to capture the high growth South East Asian markets through joint ventures, strategic investments and acquisitions with domestic firms and partners.

Seeking a topical agent suitable for widespread application that is clinically effective for itch relief due to dermatological diseases, there has been no such topical agent available currently in the Singapore market. Topical agents formulated for localized itch relief is not suitable for widespread use due to their irritation and allergic effects. Moreover, moisturizer-based creams which are available in the market, mainly for atopic eczema, do not provide clinically significant levels of itch relief.

IPI connected Good Pharma Dermatology to the NSC which has formulated an anti-itch moisturizer cream to treat dermatological diseases. The proprietary formulation contains both the topical agent and moisturizing cream that relieves itch and moisturizes the skin at the same time. Since 2011, NSC has treated thousands of patients with the formulation under doctor’s prescription. It has proven to be clinically effective in itch relief and is free from side effects. NSC was then seeking a partner to commercialize the formulation as an OTC product.

“Our formulation is suitable for use in almost all itchy conditions, such as various types of eczema, itchy psoriasis and kidney failure-associated itch. We decided to introduce this cream to the mass market after much positive feedbacks received from our patients and doctors,” said Dr Tey Hong Liang, Consultant and Clinician Researcher of NSC. “We think that this cream can cater to an unmet need and benefit many more people by making it available as an over-the-counter cream.”

Through IPI’s assistance, Good Pharma Dermatology was connected to NSC to discuss a licensing agreement of the proprietary formulation for topical skin application. Within five months of technical evaluation and business negotiations, both parties signed and concluded the license agreement. While the territory of the licensing agreement is global, initial product launch will be in Singapore, followed by South East Asia.

“Many people will benefit from making this product available more broadly, as it serves a very real medical need. Working with IPI’s network of partners and leveraging on their professional assistance, we have been able to quickly identify an opportunity to introduce a new product and enter into a new market at a faster pace.” said Dr John O’Shea, Medical Director at Good Pharmaceutical.

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For more information on the developments after the licensing agreement was signed, please visit https://www.ipi-singapore.org/success-stories/formulated-in-singapore-suu-balm-sets-to-further-expand-to-overseas-markets.html

Sub Title
Through IPI’s industry-technology matching, Good Pharma Dermatology collaborated with the National Skin Centre to commercialise an over-the-counter anti-itch moisturizer for dermatological diseases.
Impact Title
Transforming Skin Relief with an Innovative OTC Solution
Sub Title
Transforming Skin Relief with an Innovative OTC Solution
keywords
HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE
Innovation
Technology Transfer
Product Development
Featured image
Anti-itch Moisturising Cream Treats Dermatological Diseases
Legacy ID
7271
Sub Heading
IPI enabled a breakthrough OTC anti-itch cream for skin relief.
At a glance
Good Pharma Dermatology
Client
Health & Personal Care
Industry
Industry-Technology Matching
IPI Service
Proprietary Anti-itch Moisturizer Cream
Key Technology
Add Impact
The collaboration led to the commercialisation of a novel anti-itch moisturizer cream that combines clinically effective itch relief with skin moisturization. The proprietary formulation, previously available only under doctor’s prescription, is now accessible as an over-the-counter product, filling a significant gap in the dermatological market.
Product Innovation
With IPI’s support, Good Pharma Dermatology secured a global license agreement for the product, enabling an initial launch in Singapore and planned expansion into the broader South East Asian region. This accelerated market entry allows the company to reach new customer segments and address unmet medical needs more effectively.
Market Expansion
Glance Title
At a Glance
Sub Title
IPI’s facilitation enabled Good Pharma Dermatology to rapidly commercialise a clinically proven anti-itch cream, addressing an unmet need in dermatological care and paving the way for regional market expansion.
How it happened
IPI played a pivotal role by connecting Good Pharma Dermatology with the National Skin Centre. After the introduction, both parties entered into technical evaluation and business negotiations, which were completed within five months. The collaboration resulted in a global licensing agreement for the proprietary anti-itch moisturizer. The product was first launched in Singapore, with subsequent plans to expand into South East Asia, leveraging the strengths of both the pharmaceutical company and the clinical expertise of NSC.
The challenge
There was no suitable topical agent in the Singapore market that could be safely used for widespread application to relieve itch from dermatological diseases. Existing products were either limited to localized use due to side effects or did not provide clinically significant relief.
Unmet Need for Safe, Effective Itch Relief
Moisturizer-based creams available over the counter mainly targeted atopic eczema and did not deliver effective itch relief, leaving patients with chronic skin conditions underserved.
Limited OTC Options
Impact For
HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE
The challenges title
The Challenge
The challenges description
Good Pharma Dermatology sought to expand its product portfolio with clinically effective solutions that address unmet needs in the dermatological market, particularly for itch relief. At the time, there was no suitable topical agent in Singapore that could be safely and effectively used for widespread application to relieve itch caused by various dermatological diseases. Existing topical agents were formulated for localized itch relief and were not appropriate for broader use due to their potential to cause irritation and allergic reactions. Additionally, moisturizer-based creams available in the market, mainly targeting atopic eczema, did not provide clinically significant levels of itch relief. This gap left many patients with chronic skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and kidney failure-associated itch without an effective, safe, and convenient over-the-counter solution. Good Pharma Dermatology recognized the opportunity to address this unmet need by introducing a novel product that could deliver both itch relief and skin moisturization, but required access to a clinically validated formulation and a partner with proven expertise in dermatological research.
The Solution Title
The Solution
The Solution Description
IPI Singapore connected Good Pharma Dermatology to the National Skin Centre (NSC), which had developed a proprietary anti-itch moisturizer cream designed to treat dermatological diseases. By leveraging IPI’s industry-technology matching services, Good Pharma Dermatology was introduced to NSC’s clinically proven formulation that combines a topical agent with a moisturizing cream, providing effective itch relief and skin hydration simultaneously. Through IPI’s facilitation, Good Pharma Dermatology and NSC engaged in discussions to license the proprietary formulation for topical skin application. Within five months of technical evaluation and business negotiations, IPI’s support enabled both parties to sign and conclude a global license agreement. This partnership allowed Good Pharma Dermatology to commercialise the product as an over-the-counter (OTC) cream, with an initial launch in Singapore and plans for expansion into the South East Asian market.
Testimonial Section
Testimonial title
NSC Perspective
Testimonial description
"Our formulation is suitable for use in almost all itchy conditions, such as various types of eczema, itchy psoriasis and kidney failure-associated itch. We decided to introduce this cream to the mass market after much positive feedbacks received from our patients and doctors. We think that this cream can cater to an unmet need and benefit many more people by making it available as an over-the-counter cream."
Testimonial Name
Dr Tey Hong Liang
Testimonial Designation
Consultant, Clinician Researcher, NSC
Testimonial title
Client Perspective
Testimonial description
"Many people will benefit from making this product available more broadly, as it serves a very real medical need. Working with IPI’s network of partners and leveraging on their professional assistance, we have been able to quickly identify an opportunity to introduce a new product and enter into a new market at a faster pace."
Testimonial Name
Dr John O'Shea
Testimonial Designation
Medical Director, Good Pharmaceutical
Business impact Heading
Business Impact
Business impact title
Accelerated Market Entry and Expanded Access to Innovative Skin Relief
Impact scores
Counter Text
Months to Licensing Agreement
Total count
5
Counter Text
Target Markets
Total count
2+
Overview
Good Pharma Dermatology is a Singapore pharmaceutical sales and marketing company focusing on hospital specialty and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. It was constantly looking for opportunities to introduce new products to capture the high growth South East Asian markets through joint ventures, strategic investments and acquisitions with domestic firms and partners.
Business Impact category
Product Innovation
Market Expansion
Technology Adoption
Partnership Development
Data source
prod
Area Of interest
Healthcare
Slug
anti-itch-moisturising-cream-treats-dermatological-diseases