News

Osaka (Japan), November 4, 2025 - Maruho Co., Ltd. ("Maruho"; Head Office: Osaka, Japan, President and CEO, Atsushi Sugita) announces that it has entered into a license agreement with Nielsen BioSciences, Inc. ("Nielsen", Head Office: San Diego, California, USA, President and COO: David Burney) for the exclusive rights to develop and market Candida albicans extract (hereinafter referred to as "the compound") in Asian countries and regions for the treatment of Verruca vulgaris.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nielsen grants Maruho an exclusive license to develop and commercialize the compound in China, Hong Kong, Macao, South Korea, Taiwan, and in 10 ASEAN countries^*1. In addition, Maruho will pay Nielsen an upfront payment, milestone payments based on development and regulatory progress, and royalties on net sales.

In April 2023, Maruho entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Nielsen for the commercialization of the compound in Japan. Nielsen is already advancing the development of the compound in Japan. Following this expanded agreement, Maruho plans to proceed with the development of this compound for the treatment of common warts in countries and regions outside Japan in Asia.

Maruho is advancing its business in Asian countries and regions through its innovative global strategy, the "Asian Dermatology Hub Concept."^*2 As part of this approach, Maruho aims to improve the quality of life for patients by offering a new treatment option for common warts, a condition for which there are currently limited therapeutic choices.

(*1) Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos
(*2) Since October 2023, as part of its Fifth Medium-Term Plan, Maruho has been focusing on "Taking a new step in global expansion" as one of its priority themes.

Note
The information contained in this news release in regard to pharmaceutical and developmental products is not intended for the purpose of promotion, advertising or medical advice.

Reference:Maruho Enters a License Agreement with Nielsen BioSciences for the Treatment of Verruca Vulgaris (Common Warts) in Japan (2023/04/27)
https://www.maruho.co.jp/english/information/20230427.html

About Candida albicans extractThe Candida albicans extract-based skin test antigen is the active ingredient in Nielsen's CANDIN^® (Candida albicans Skin Test Antigen for Cellular Immunity) ("CANDIN^®") product currently marketed in the United States for its U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved use as a skin test antigen for the assessment of cellular hypersensitivity to Candida albicans. Neither CANDIN® nor the compound is currently approved in the United States or Japan for the treatment of Verruca vulgaris or any other indications.

About Verruca vulgarisVerruca vulgaris are benign lesions caused by infection of the skin with the human papilloma virus (HPV). They are raised lesions on the skin, commonly on the fingers, palms, knees, and soles of the feet. Because they are caused by a viral infection, skin symptoms can be widespread and refractory.

About NielsenNielsen BioSciences, Inc. is a privately-held, San Diego-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing biological products with wide-ranging applications in cell-mediated immune responses.
For more information, please visit https://nielsenbio.com/about-us/

About MaruhoMaruho Co., Ltd. has its head office in Osaka and leads Japan in research and development, manufacturing and commercialization of dermatological products. Founded in 1915, Maruho has 1,620 employees (as of the end of September 2024), and net sales were approximately 86.99 billion yen in its fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. With the mission "More smiles, brighter life for you.", Maruho aims to help realize a society where everyone can live with a smile.
For more information, please visit https://www.maruho.co.jp/english/