LEO Pharma has invested in SkinVision, whose mobile app of the same name is used to detect skin cancer.

The deal will also see LEO, whose business focuses heavily on skincare products, collaborate with the Dutch digital health company on “global solutions that can expand the reach of SkinVision's technology solutions”.

SkinVision - the app - is already Europe's leading skin cancer detection application and provides consumers with a low-cost and easy-to-use tool for the early detection and evaluation of skin lesions.

Kim Kjoeller, senior VP of global development at LEO Pharma, said: “The internet is dramatically changing how consumers manage their health and that creates new opportunities for us to deliver innovative, value-added services.

“We are very pleased to collaborate with SkinVision, because we will gain unique learnings about the convergence of digital technologies with medical applications.”

He added: “The coming years will see an ever changing and increasingly digital health care environment and LEO Pharma wants to be at the forefront of that trend. This is a huge opportunity for the European technology and pharmaceutical industries to become world leaders.”

LEO said the agreement acknowledged the growing potential of a wide range of digital health technologies “to deliver innovative, consumer centric solutions”.

SkinVision's app currently focuses on lesions, which are identified by taking pictures of moles using a standard smartphone camera and then the images assessed by an algorithm that the company says is over 80% accurate. 

Where the app detects characteristics of unnatural growth, or their potential, the patient is referred to a dermatologist. Users can archive their skin lesions to track for changes over time and share images with their doctor.

A key element of LEO Pharma's investment will see it enable SkinVision to develop its app, which is currently the only skin cancer detection app with European CE certification, into other skin disease areas.

This year has already seen LEO become increasingly active in social media, and in March it set out its social media principles and expanded its presence on Twitter.

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