CDT Partners with QIMA Life Sciences to Evaluate Novel Tapinarof Combinations in Psoriasis and Vitiligo
CDT will use QIMA’s access to human skin samples to preclinically test proprietary tapinarof combinations in psoriasis and vitiligo.
Rhea-AI Summary
CDT (CDT) announced a partnership with preclinical dermatology CRO QIMA Life Sciences on 18 September 2026 to evaluate several CDT assets for autoimmune skin diseases using human skin samples from healthy donors and patients.
Initial work will focus on tapinarof (VTAMA®), already approved for plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in the US and Japan. CDT has built an intellectual property portfolio around tapinarof, including solid-form and method-of-use patents for combinations with other known drugs. QIMA will test these novel tapinarof combinations in psoriatic patient skin to work towards a second-generation product with enhanced efficacy and patient benefits and to support potential licensing discussions.
CDT also plans to assess its proprietary tapinarof combinations in vitiligo, which affects an estimated 0.5%–2.0% of the global population. The vitiligo drug market was about US$2.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$6.6 billion by 2030.
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Details
Market reaction after tapinarof combination partnership: CDT -5.01%
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Key Figures
- Global vitiligo population
- 0.5%–2.0%
- Global population affected
- Vitiligo drug market
- US$2.6 billion
- 2025 estimate
- Vitiligo drug market
- US$6.6 billion
- Projected for 2030
Previous Partnership Reports
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Charles River partnership evaluated AZD1656 in a preclinical systemic lupus erythematosus model.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
cro technical
preclinical medical
plaque psoriasis medical
intellectual property regulatory
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
NAPLES, Fla. and CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Sept. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CDT Equity Inc. (Nasdaq: CDT) (“CDT” or the “Company”), today announced that it has entered into a partnership with QIMA Life Sciences, a world leading preclinical dermatology CRO, to explore the potential of several of CDT’s assets in autoimmune skin diseases.
CDT plans to leverage QIMA’s unique access to human skin from both healthy donors and patients. The use of patient tissue offers the most clinically relevant data possible, providing rapid translation to clinic and providing potential license partners the highest level of confidence possible for clinical success.
Initial studies will be centred around tapinarof (VTAMA®), a drug currently approved for plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in the US and Japan. CDT has created a robust intellectual property portfolio around tapinarof, including solid form and method-of-use patents in combination with other known drugs. QIMA will explore the potential of these novel combinations in psoriatic patient skin, with the aim of working towards a second generation tapinarof product with increased efficacy and patient benefits. VTAMA® is currently the number one branded topical treatment in the US, and CDT believe that developing a combination therapy could both expand, and extend, its market to further patient groups.
CDT also plans to investigate the potential of its proprietary tapinarof combinations in vitiligo, an autoimmune disease often associated with significant emotional and psychological distress for sufferers. Vitiligo is a common chronic autoimmune disorder affecting approximately
For further information or to discuss potential partnership opportunities, please contact the Company at info@cdtequity.com.
About QIMA Life Sciences
QIMA Life Sciences is a contract research organization specializing in cellular and molecular pharmacology. It partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to advance research and accelerate drug development through tailored, science-driven solutions spanning early discovery through clinical development. By combining preclinical and clinical research and testing solutions with advanced AI-driven image analysis and digital data platforms, QIMA Life Sciences enables companies to generate the robust scientific evidence needed to bring innovative drugs to patients with confidence. www.qima-lifesciences.com
About CDT Equity Inc.
CDT Equity Inc. (NASDAQ: CDT) is a data-driven biopharmaceutical development company focused on identifying, enhancing, and advancing high-potential therapeutic assets through scientific innovation and strategic partnerships. Originally established as Conduit Pharmaceuticals, the company has evolved into a broader, more agile platform that leverages artificial intelligence, solid-form chemistry, and efficient asset repositioning to accelerate the development of novel treatments. Looking ahead, CDT are committed to creating shareholder value through licensing, strategic M&A, and positioning the company as a platform for transformative innovation.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding CDT's future results of operations and financial position, CDT's business strategy, prospective product candidates, product approvals, research and development cost timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, future results of current and anticipated studies and business endeavors with third parties, and future results of current and anticipated product candidates, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to; the effect that the reverse stock split may have on the price of the Company’s common stock; the ability or inability to maintain the listing of CDT's securities on Nasdaq; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination completed in September 2023, which may be affected by, among other things, competition; the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth economically and hire and retain key employees; the risks that CDT's product candidates in development fail clinical trials or are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other applicable authorities on a timely basis or at all; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that CDT may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties identified in other filings made by CDT with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, CDT operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond CDT's control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and except as required by law, CDT assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. CDT gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Investors
CDT Equity Inc.
Info@cdtequity.com
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1 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ski2.317
2 https://www1.hkexnews.hk/app/sehk/2026/108643/documents/sehk26061501863.pdf
FAQ
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What role will QIMA Life Sciences play in CDT’s tapinarof combination program?
QIMA Life Sciences will provide access to human skin from both healthy donors and patients and will run preclinical studies on CDT’s tapinarof-based combinations. These studies will use psoriatic patient skin to generate clinically relevant data and support the development of potential second-generation tapinarof products with improved efficacy and patient benefits.
Which dermatological indications beyond psoriasis is CDT targeting with tapinarof combinations?
In addition to plaque psoriasis, CDT plans to investigate its proprietary tapinarof combinations in vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune skin disorder. The company highlights that vitiligo affects approximately 0.5%–2.0% of the global population and that current approved treatments can be intolerable and slow to induce re-pigmentation, indicating unmet therapeutic need.
How does CDT describe its intellectual property around tapinarof?
CDT describes having a robust intellectual property portfolio around tapinarof, including solid-form patents and method-of-use patents that cover combinations of tapinarof with other known drugs. These patents underpin the novel tapinarof combinations that QIMA will evaluate in human skin.
Why does CDT emphasize the use of human patient skin in these studies?
The company states that using patient tissue offers the most clinically relevant data possible, enabling rapid translation to clinical settings and giving potential license partners greater confidence in the likelihood of clinical success. Working with human skin is also described as providing the most physiologically relevant setting for evaluating these tapinarof combinations.
How can potential partners contact CDT about collaboration opportunities?
Parties interested in partnership opportunities are invited to contact CDT by email at info@cdtequity.com for further information or to discuss collaborations.