Pelthos Launches ZELSUVMI, First FDA-Approved At-Home Treatment for Molluscum Contagiosum
- Market Access Expansion: Pelthos Therapeutics has signed its first commercial agreement with a major pharmacy benefit manager, aiming to enhance patient access to ZELSUVMI, potentially benefiting over 20 million covered lives.
- Innovative Treatment Solution: ZELSUVMI is the first FDA-approved at-home medication for molluscum contagiosum, effectively addressing a highly contagious skin condition affecting 16.7 million people, which is expected to significantly improve patients' quality of life.
- Product Launch Timing: Launched in July 2025, this medication utilizes a unique nitric oxide-releasing technology, offering a convenient once-daily application for both children and adults, meeting the urgent market demand for at-home treatment options.
- Strategic Partnership Significance: The collaboration with a national pharmacy benefit manager marks a crucial milestone for Pelthos in achieving broader commercial coverage, aiming to enhance market acceptance and sales potential by reducing barriers for patients to access ZELSUVMI.
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- Financing Support: Horizon Technology Finance has provided a $50 million venture loan facility to Pelthos Therapeutics, with an initial funding of $30 million and up to $20 million for future growth, reflecting confidence in Pelthos' innovative products.
- Product Innovation: Pelthos' ZELSUVMI™ (berdazimer) topical gel has received FDA approval for treating molluscum contagiosum, offering a new at-home treatment option that could transform patient care approaches.
- Market Expansion: Pelthos has also acquired rights to Xepi® Cream and Xeglyze®, with the loan proceeds aimed at promoting these products, facilitating further expansion in the dermatology market.
- Strategic Partnership: Horizon's CIO Paul Seitz noted that this financing will assist Pelthos in promoting its products within pediatric and dermatologic communities, further driving business growth and showcasing Horizon's expertise in the life sciences sector.

- Financing Support: Pelthos Therapeutics secured an initial $30 million financing from Horizon, with an additional $20 million available, aimed at accelerating the commercialization of its cutaneous infectious disease product portfolio, thereby enhancing financial flexibility and market competitiveness.
- Product Launch: The financing will expedite the launch of ZELSUVMI, the first FDA-approved treatment for molluscum that can be used at home, targeting patients and families struggling with this difficult-to-treat infection.
- Equity Dilution Control: This financing is non-dilutive, as Pelthos issued warrants for 65,488 shares, ensuring existing shareholders' interests are preserved while effectively managing the company's equity structure.
- Future Growth Potential: Pelthos plans to utilize the financing to support the launch of Xepi and Xeglyze, further expanding its market share in dermatological treatments to meet the increasing patient demand.
- Board Expansion: Pelthos Therapeutics has appointed veteran finance executive Andrew J. Einhorn to its Board of Directors, increasing the board size to eight members, aimed at leveraging his extensive capital markets experience to drive company growth.
- Financial Expertise Introduction: With over 40 years in investment banking and capital markets, and having served as CFO for multiple biotech firms, Einhorn is expected to provide strategic financial guidance that will support Pelthos's commercialization efforts.
- Audit and Compensation Committees: Einhorn will also serve on the Audit and Compensation Committees, enhancing the company's governance structure to ensure financial transparency and compliance, thereby boosting investor confidence.
- Future Outlook: Einhorn expressed confidence in Pelthos's future, believing the company has made a strong start as a newly public entity, and looks forward to collaborating with the Board to further advance the company's mission.

- Market Access Expansion: Pelthos Therapeutics has signed its first commercial agreement with a major pharmacy benefit manager, aiming to enhance patient access to ZELSUVMI, potentially benefiting over 20 million covered lives.
- Innovative Treatment Solution: ZELSUVMI is the first FDA-approved at-home medication for molluscum contagiosum, effectively addressing a highly contagious skin condition affecting 16.7 million people, which is expected to significantly improve patients' quality of life.
- Product Launch Timing: Launched in July 2025, this medication utilizes a unique nitric oxide-releasing technology, offering a convenient once-daily application for both children and adults, meeting the urgent market demand for at-home treatment options.
- Strategic Partnership Significance: The collaboration with a national pharmacy benefit manager marks a crucial milestone for Pelthos in achieving broader commercial coverage, aiming to enhance market acceptance and sales potential by reducing barriers for patients to access ZELSUVMI.

Analyst Coverage Initiations: Several Wall Street analysts have initiated coverage on various companies, providing Buy and Outperform ratings along with price targets.
Traws Pharma, Inc.: HC Wainwright & Co. analyst Brandon Folkes initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $8, while shares closed at $2.16.
Compass Therapeutics, Inc.: Canaccord Genuity analyst John Newman also initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a price target of $10, with shares closing at $5.22.
Linde plc and Others: CICC analyst Shanshan Shen rated Linde plc as Outperform with a price target of $510, and HC Wainwright initiated coverage on Pelthos Therapeutics and LifeSci Capital on Oculis Holding, both with positive ratings and significant price targets.

Acquisition of Xepi: Pelthos Therapeutics has acquired the U.S. commercialization rights to Xepi, a topical treatment for impetigo, which addresses antibiotic-resistant skin infections, particularly in children.
Financing for Growth: The company secured $18 million through private convertible notes financing to support the acquisition and re-launch of Xepi, as well as to accelerate the commercialization of its existing product, ZELSUVMI.
Market Need: Impetigo, affecting around 3 million people annually in the U.S., is a common bacterial skin infection in children, and Xepi offers a new treatment option amid rising antibiotic resistance.
Future Plans: Pelthos plans to re-launch Xepi in late 2026, leveraging its commercial infrastructure to promote multiple innovative products in the pediatric and dermatology markets.






