Tocagen Inc. and Forte Biosciences, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Tocagen will merge with Forte in an all-stock transaction. The merged company will focus on advancing Forte's clinical program in inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. Upon stockholder approval, the combined company is expected to operate under the name Forte Biosciences and trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol FBRX.

The combined company will be led by Paul Wagner, Ph.D., Forte's president and chief executive officer, and will be headquartered in Torrance, California. The board of directors is expected to be composed of eight members, with six members designated by Forte, including current Forte board members Lawrence F. Eichenfield, M.D. and Dr. Wagner, and two members designated by Tocagen.