Verrica Pharma up as skin disease drug study in Japan shows promise

Torii Pharmaceutical Co

15/12/2023 11:47

** Verrica Pharmaceuticals'  VRCA.O  shares rise 6.9% to
$4.02 premarket
    ** Late-stage study in Japan of company's drug to treat
molluscum contagiosum showed statistically significant efficacy
in clearing all treatable lesions compared to placebo
    ** The drug, TO-208, was also well tolerated during the
study
    ** Company is developing and commercializing the drug in
Japan with Torii Pharmaceutical  4551.T 
    ** In July, the drug got a green light from U.S. FDA to
treat the same indication in adults and children aged 2 years
and above, making it the first treatment in the country
    ** Molluscum contagiosum is caused by a poxvirus and results
in skin lesions, which usually resolve within a year without
scarring, but in some cases could take a lot more time
    ** As of Thursday's close, stock down ~37% YTD

 (Reporting by Khushi Mandowara in Bengaluru)
 ((Khushi.Mandowara@thomsonreuters.com))