NEXGEL Reports Positive Data from Randomized Single-Center IRB Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness and Safety of a Hydrogel Laser Treatment Patch in Laser Hair Removal with a 95.6% Reduction in Plume Concentration
Rhea-AI Summary
NEXGEL (NASDAQ:NXGL) reported positive data from a randomized, 30-patient, single-center IRB study of its hydrogel laser treatment patch used in laser hair removal.
The patch achieved a 95.6% reduction in laser plume concentration versus control, lower mean pain scores (3.5 vs. 5.1), and numerically greater hair reduction (37.2% vs. 26.7%) at 90 days, with no adverse events. Results were published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine in 2026.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Plume concentration reduced by 95.6% versus control (p=0.0001)
- Mean pain scores lower with patch: 3.5 vs. 5.1 (p=0.0033)
- Intervention hair density reduction 37.2% vs. 26.7% control at 90 days
- No adverse events reported in 30-patient IRB study
- Study funded by Innovative Optics, a global safety product supplier
- Data published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine in 2026
Negative
- Study limited to 30 patients at a single center
- Hair reduction difference not statistically significant (p=0.3607)
Market Reaction – NXGL
Following this news, NXGL has gained 17.96%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +14.3% during the session. Our momentum scanner has triggered 10 alerts so far, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $0.60. This price movement has added approximately $838K to the company's valuation. Trading volume is elevated at 2.2x the average, suggesting notable buying interest.
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
NXGL shows a small 0.2% gain while key peers are mixed: HBIO -4.76%, BNGO -0.85%, RVP 0%, MHUA -27.18%, and POCI +4.53%, pointing to stock-specific factors over a sector-wide move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13 | Management hire | Positive | -8.1% | Appointed VP of Sales to support commercialization of BIONX Surgical division. |
| May 12 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -4.1% | Announced timing and access details for Q1 2026 financial results call. |
| May 06 | Board additions | Positive | +1.6% | Added Sequence LifeScience executives to board following strategic investment. |
| Apr 27 | CFO appointment | Positive | -6.0% | Named new CFO to support Celularity asset acquisition and growth plans. |
| Apr 21 | Acquisition & financing | Positive | +15.9% | Closed Celularity regenerative biomaterials deal with $5.5M financing and launched BioNX Surgical. |
Recent history shows mixed reactions: strong gains on major strategic deals but sell-offs following several constructive management and governance updates.
Over the last month, NEXGEL reported multiple strategic and leadership developments. A $5.5 million Sequence LifeScience investment and Celularity asset acquisition on Apr 21, 2026 drove a 15.89% gain, while subsequent CFO and sales leadership appointments saw declines of 6.04% and 8.1%. Board additions tied to the Sequence partnership brought a modest 1.59% rise. Against this backdrop, today’s positive clinical data for the hydrogel patch adds product-validation news to a period otherwise dominated by financing and organizational catalysts.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock is up +6.2% following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the clearly favorable safety and efficacy signals from the hydrogel laser treatment patch, including a 95.6% plume reduction and significantly lower pain scores. Historically, NXGL has seen outsized moves on major strategic milestones, such as the Celularity acquisition’s 15.89% gain. Investors would still need to weigh prior going‑concern disclosures and financing structures that could influence how durable any sharp upside move became.
Key Terms
institutional review board (irb) regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
The study concluded that NEXGEL’s hydrogel patch significantly reduced laser plume generation and exposure during laser hair removal and the patch was associated with greater hair reduction and reduced pain compared to the control
The study was published in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 2026
LANGHORNE, Pa., May 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEXGEL, Inc. (“NEXGEL” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: “NXGL”), a leading provider of medical and over-the-counter (OTC) products including ultra-gentle, high-water-content hydrogels for healthcare and consumer applications, today announced positive data from the randomized, 30-patient, single-center Institutional Review Board (IRB) clinical study, funded by Innovative Optics, a leading supplier of safety products and personal protective equipment for medical, surgical and aesthetic healthcare facilities globally.
Positive data from the study detailed a
The study data was published in Lazers in Surgery and Medicine, 2026 by Barry E. DiBernardo, Gabriella A. DiBernardo and Jason N. Pozner on March 30, 2026.
The study was conducted at the Florida Clinical Research Center by plastic surgeons Dr. Barry DiBernardo and Dr. Jason Pozner. It was designed to address a critical health hazard associated with laser hair removal, the release of carcinogenic airborne particles and organic compounds “plume” when hair is vaporized by lasers. If inhaled, the plume may affect short- and long-term health of professionals.
Adam Levy, CEO of NEXGEL, commented, “We believe these findings represent a major milestone for NEXGEL’s medical device portfolio as legislative bodies increasingly call for stricter plume management policies. The data from this trial clearly details that our hydrogel patch presents a low-cost, easy-to-use solution to significantly improve the safety for the patient and the practitioner of laser hair removal.”
About NEXGEL, INC.
NEXGEL is a leading provider of healthcare, beauty, and over-the-counter (OTC) products including ultra-gentle, high-water-content hydrogels. Based in Langhorne, Pa., the Company has developed and manufactured electron-beam, cross-linked hydrogels for over two decades. NEXGEL brands include Silverseal, Hexagels, Turfguard, Kenkoderm, and Dermablock. Additionally, NEXGEL has strategic contract manufacturing relationships with leading consumer healthcare companies.
About Innovative Optics
Innovative Optics, established in Maple Grove, Minnesota in 1993, has grown to become a leading supplier of safety products and personal protective equipment for medical, surgical and aesthetic healthcare facilities globally.
Our line of laser safety items includes laser loupe protection, laser glasses, IPL glasses, patient goggles, disposable eye shields, and laser barriers. We believe our job is to help educate and determine the best safety solutions for the needs of a broad scope of healthcare producers and the patients in their care.
Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “prospects,” “outlook,” and similar words or expressions, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “lends,” “would,” “may,” and “could,” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts.. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, performance, or achievements for many reasons. The Company disclaims any intention to, and undertakes no obligation to, revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, a future event, or otherwise. For additional risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company's forward-looking statements, please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including but not limited to the discussion under “Risk Factors” therein, which the Company filed with the SEC and which may be viewed at http://www.sec.gov/.
Investor Contact:
Valter Pinto, Managing Director
KCSA Strategic Communications
212.896.1254
valter@kcsa.com
