As reported on by Dermatology Times, Indomo, a Boston-based clinical-stage therapeutics company, has officially introduced its lead investigational program, ClearPen, an at-home injectable candidate designed for the treatment of inflammatory acne lesions. Founded by veterans of Hims & Hers, Medtronic and Starface, Indomo aims to bridge the accessibility gap in dermatologic care through self-administered, prescription-grade treatments for inflammatory skin conditions.
Addressing a Persistent Gap in Access
Acne remains the most prevalent dermatologic condition in the U.S., affecting approximately 50 million Americans annually, with nearly 20 million experiencing inflammatory forms of the disease. Among evidence-based treatments, intralesional corticosteroid injections are widely regarded as the most effective intervention for rapid reduction of inflammation and lesion size. However, due to limited access to dermatologic care, only about 1 million individuals receive these injections regularly. The resulting delays often render treatment ineffective for acute lesions, leading to scarring and psychosocial distress.
Indomo’s ClearPen program seeks to address this unmet need by enabling patients to self-administer intradermal corticosteroid therapy at home. The company’s founders and advisors describe this initiative as a natural progression in the broader movement toward home-based clinical care, paralleling advances seen in insulin, GLP-1 and fertility self-injection technologies.
“ClearPen will be the first big innovation in acne care since Accutane,” said Jack Abraham, co-founder of Indomo. “For too long, people have had to choose between ineffective surface treatments or waiting weeks for a dermatologist. ClearPen will provide patients instant access to a corticosteroid microneedle injection right in their bathroom cabinet.”
The ClearPen Technology
ClearPen integrates a proprietary microneedle delivery device with a reformulated version of triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid formulation consistent with the American Academy of Dermatology guidelines that recommend intralesional corticosteroids as a first-line intervention for inflammatory lesions. The device is designed to deliver consistent, low-dose intralesional injections directly into inflamed acne. This investigational approach aims to replicate the efficacy of in-office corticosteroid injections while providing immediate access to treatment at home.
“For over 50 years, dermatologists have relied on corticosteroid injections to treat inflammatory acne, yet access to this treatment has remained limited to the doctor’s office. At Indomo, we are working to change that. By pairing a trusted therapeutic with our investigational microneedle delivery device, we’re hoping to empower people to treat breakouts the moment they appear,” said Rick Bente, CEO of Indomo.
Future Regulatory Pathway
Following the success of 2 comparative clinical trials, Indomo is currently preparing for phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of ClearPen in at-home use. ClearPen has not yet been approved or cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration and remains an investigational product. Beyond acne, Indomo intends to expand its microneedle injection platform to address other intralesional corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions, such as keloids and hidradenitis suppurativa, which similarly suffer from limited access to in-office procedures.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been involved in the development of several therapies that have advanced the field of dermatology. What stands out about Indomo is its potential to fill an important unmet need in acne care—timely access to treatment. By integrating a proven intralesional corticosteroid with an easy-to-use, self-administered delivery system, it could bring clinical-level care into patients’ hands,” Patricia Walker, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer at Indomo and former Chief Scientific Officer of Allergan Medical Aesthetics, told Dermatology Times.
