CDT Partners with QIMA Life Sciences to Evaluate Novel Tapinarof Combinations in Psoriasis and Vitiligo
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 0.5%–2.0% of the global population, representing tens of millions of patients worldwide1. The global vitiligo drug market was estimated at approximately US$2.6 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$6.6 billion by 20302. Current approved treatments often prove intolerable for many patients, especially pediatric patients, and re-pigmentation can take a considerable amount of time, demonstrating a significant unmet need for new therapies that are effective, yet tolerable. Working with human skin will allow CDT to explore the potential of these combinations in the most physiologically relevant setting possible.
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
