The Acne Treatment Revolution Is Here—And It's Nothing Like What You've Been Using

Revolutionary acne treatments derived from freshwater sponges, microbiome therapies, and even therapeutic vaccines are showing remarkable success in clinical trials, offering hope for millions struggling with moderate to severe acne. These innovative approaches target inflammation and sebum production in ways traditional treatments never could, with some requiring just once-weekly applications.

What Makes These New Acne Treatments So Different?

The most unusual breakthrough comes from an unexpected source: freshwater sponges. DMT310, developed by Dermata Therapeutics, uses green spicules from Spongilla sponges that create tiny channels in the skin to deliver active ingredients more effectively. "The spicules open comedones and create microchannels to facilitate penetration of active ingredients," explained Dr. Hilary Baldwin, medical director of the Acne Treatment and Research Center in Brooklyn, New York.

This sponge-derived treatment also promotes collagen production and has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In phase 3 trials involving 550 participants aged 9 and older with moderate to severe acne, DMT310 met all primary endpoints with just once-weekly applications for 12 weeks—making it potentially the first weekly topical treatment to succeed in phase 3 trials.

How Do These Treatments Target Acne's Root Causes?

Another game-changing approach comes from Ascletis Pharma's denifanstat (ASC40), which works as a farnesyltransferase inhibitor to reduce sebum production by blocking lipogenesis. This oral medication also fights inflammation by decreasing cytokine secretion and Th17 differentiation.

In a phase 3 study conducted in China with 480 patients, denifanstat demonstrated impressive results. The treatment met all primary and key secondary efficacy endpoints, showing significant improvements in both lesion count reduction and Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) scores. The safety profile was favorable, with only mild to moderate side effects and just two categories—dry eyes and dry skin—affecting 5% or more of participants.

The pipeline also includes several innovative approaches targeting different aspects of acne development:

• Therapeutic Vaccines: Sanofi's ORI-A-ce001 aims to prevent moderate acne from becoming severe, with phase 1/2 trials expected to yield results by 2029
• Microbiome Therapies: Targeted probiotics and prebiotics designed to increase healthy Cutibacterium acnes strains while reducing acne-promoting bacteria
• Bacteriophage Treatments: Viruses that specifically target and kill the types of C. acnes most commonly associated with acne breakouts

What Does This Mean for Acne Sufferers?

These developments represent a fundamental shift from traditional acne treatments that primarily focus on topical antibiotics and retinoids. The new therapies address multiple pathways simultaneously—inflammation, sebum production, and bacterial balance—offering more comprehensive solutions.

"Maybe combine that with a bacteriophage, which sets out to kill the type of C acnes most commonly associated with acne, put them together in one cream, and rub bacteria and viruses all over your face to reduce your acne. Sounds a little gross, but it may actually be part of the future of acne therapy," Baldwin told Dermatology Times.

The therapeutic vaccine approach is particularly intriguing because it's not designed to prevent acne entirely. "This is not a vaccine that you would take in order not to get acne, but rather to stop your acne from becoming severe once it's already moderate," Baldwin explained.

These breakthrough treatments could transform acne care within the next few years, offering new hope for patients who haven't found success with current options. As Baldwin noted, "I think the future is bright for acne, and I am looking forward to what they come up with next."