Pelthos Therapeutics Acquires Xeglyze® (abametapir) Topical Treatment for Head Lice
Rhea-AI Summary
Pelthos Therapeutics (NYSE American: PTHS) acquired Xeglyze (abametapir) from Hatchtech for $1.8 million on Jan 5, 2026.
Xeglyze is an FDA-approved prescription topical treatment for head lice in patients 6 months and older (approved July 2020). Pelthos obtained worldwide commercialization rights with no future milestone, royalty, or other payments owed to Hatchtech. The company plans to relaunch Xeglyze in the first half of 2027. The release cites an estimated 6–12 million annual U.S. head-lice infestations among children ages 3–11 as the addressable market context.
Positive
- Acquisition price of $1.8 million
- Product is FDA-approved (July 2020) for patients 6 months and older
- Worldwide commercialization rights with no future milestone or royalty obligations
- Relaunch targeted in H1 2027
- Estimated 6–12 million U.S. annual infestations in children ages 3–11
Negative
- Commercial revenue not expected until relaunch planned in H1 2027
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, PTHS declined 9.03%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -4.6% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 6 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $9M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $87M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
While PTHS was down 5%, peers like HYFT (12.22%), MEIP (6.23%) and IFRX (5.83%) were positive, pointing to stock-specific pressure rather than a sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 23 | Board appointment | Positive | -1.8% | Appointment of experienced finance executive Andrew J. Einhorn to the board. |
| Dec 04 | Access agreement | Positive | +0.6% | First PBM agreement expanding access to ZELSUVMI for >20M covered lives. |
| Dec 02 | Conference appearance | Neutral | -5.0% | CEO participation in Piper Sandler healthcare conference fireside chat. |
| Nov 13 | Earnings & financing | Neutral | -7.3% | Q3 results with ZELSUVMI revenues, cash update, and recent financings detailed. |
| Nov 07 | Product acquisition | Positive | -8.1% | Acquisition of Xepi rights alongside an $18M private convertible notes financing. |
Recent strategic and financing news, including the prior Xepi acquisition and a PBM agreement, often coincided with negative or muted next-day moves, suggesting a tendency for selling into positive catalysts.
Over the last few months, Pelthos reported several milestones, including a July 2025 launch of ZELSUVMI with $7.1 million in Q3 net revenues and an earlier acquisition of Xepi with an associated $18 million convertible notes financing. The company also expanded payer access via a PBM deal covering more than 20 million lives and added experienced director Andrew Einhorn. Against this backdrop of portfolio expansion and capital raises, the Xeglyze acquisition continues the strategy of adding FDA‑approved topical products.
Regulatory & Risk Context
Pelthos has an active S-3/A shelf filed on 2025-09-19 that remains in effect until 2028-09-19, with 0 reported usages so far and not yet effective. This structure provides flexibility to pursue future registered financings without specifying any amount here.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -9.0% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite accretive portfolio news fits prior patterns: the earlier Xepi acquisition saw a -8.07% next‑day move. The -5% pre‑news decline around the Xeglyze deal suggests continued caution toward acquisitions and future commercialization spend. With an unused S-3/A shelf in place, the market may have focused on potential funding needs and integration risk even as Pelthos adds another FDA‑approved topical asset.
Key Terms
pediculicide medical
ovicidal medical
lousicidal medical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Acquisition adds complementary asset to the Pelthos commercial portfolio
- Xeglyze is a novel, FDA-approved prescription medication indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients 6 months of age and older
DURHAM, N.C., Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. (NYSE American: PTHS), a biopharmaceutical company committed to commercializing innovative therapeutic products for unmet patient needs (“Pelthos”), today announced it has acquired Xeglyze® (abametapir) from Hatchtech Pty Ltd., an Australian biotech company, for
Xeglyze is a pediculicide indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients 6 months of age and older. The prescription medication was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) in July 2020.
The acquisition will provide Pelthos with the ability to commercialize Xeglyze worldwide, and there are no future milestone, royalty or other payments owed to Hatchtech.
“This acquisition allows us to add another complementary FDA-approved product to our portfolio,” said Scott Plesha, CEO of Pelthos. “Xeglyze is a highly differentiated product with a strong clinical profile. We believe it aligns well with our existing products and commercial infrastructure, making this an attractive investment opportunity for Pelthos. This addition will allow us to continue to execute on our strategy of commercializing innovative therapeutic products in 2026 that address unmet patient needs, delivering long-term value for our shareholders.”
Pelthos plans to relaunch Xeglyze in the first half of 2027.
In the U.S., infestation with head lice is most common among preschool- and elementary-school age children and their household members and caretakers. An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year in the U.S. among children 3 to 11 years of age.1 Some studies suggest that girls get head lice more often than boys, due to more frequent head-to-head contact.
“Despite how common head lice is, there have been few major advances in controlling infestations in recent years,” said Stephen W. Stripling, MD, Pediatrician, at The Medical University of South Carolina. “Most head lice products have little ovicidal activity and require two treatments approximately 7 to 10 days apart, with the second application required to treat those lice that survived the first treatment and were not physically removed by nit combing. Not complying with this regimen and having trouble choosing the optimal time for the second application are major drawbacks in using these products. Xeglyze has demonstrated both ovicidal and lousicidal activity and offers the potential for a more effective treatment using only a single, 10-minute application.”
About Xeglyze® (abametapir)
Xeglyze is a novel, patent protected prescription medication indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients 6 months of age and older. Abametapir, the active ingredient in Xeglyze, inhibits metalloproteinases that have a role in physiological processes critical to egg development and survival of lice. The single, 10‐minute application does not require nit combing and has sufficient volume in each bottle to treat either short or long hair.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Indications and Usage: Xeglyze is a pediculicide indicated for the topical treatment of head lice infestation in patients 6 months of age and older. Xeglyze should be used in the context of an overall lice management program:
- Wash (with hot water) or dry-clean all recently worn clothing, hats, used bedding and towels
- Wash personal care items such as combs, brushes and hair clips in hot water
- Use a fine-tooth comb or special nit comb to remove dead lice and nits
Dosage and Administration:
- For topical use only. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
- Shake well before use.
- Apply Xeglyze to dry hair in an amount sufficient (up to the full content of one bottle) to thoroughly coat the hair and scalp. Avoid contact with eyes.
- Massage Xeglyze into the scalp and throughout the hair; leave on the hair and scalp for 10 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.
- Treatment with Xeglyze involves a single application. Discard any unused product. Do not flush contents down sink or toilet.
Contraindications: None.
Warnings and Precautions:
- Risk of Neonatal Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity: Systemic exposure to benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse reactions and death in neonates and low birth-weight infants. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 6 months have not been established. Use is not recommended in pediatric patients under 6 months of age because of the potential for increased systemic absorption.
- Risk of Benzyl Alcohol Toxicity from Accidental Ingestion: Administer only under direct supervision of an adult.
Adverse Reactions: Most common adverse reactions (incidence of ≥
For complete safety information and product dosing instructions, refer to the product label.
About Pelthos Therapeutics
Pelthos Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company committed to commercializing innovative, safe, and efficacious therapeutic products to help patients with unmet treatment burdens. The company’s lead product ZELSUVMI™ (berdazimer) topical gel,
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, regarding Pelthos’ current expectations. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, could be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some instances, words such as “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” and “will,” and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our good faith beliefs (or those of the indicated third parties) and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, references to our expectations regarding (i) our belief that the acquisition of Xeglyze will provide the Company with the ability to commercialize the product worldwide, (ii) our belief that Xeglyze aligns well with the Company’s existing products and commercial infrastructure, (iii) our belief that Xeglyze is an attractive investment opportunity for the Company, (iv) our belief that the acquisition of Xeglyze will allow the Company to continue to execute on its strategy of commercializing therapeutic products in 2026 that address unmet patient needs and delivering long-term value to the Company’s shareholders, (v) the Company’s plans and timeline with respect to the launch of Xeglyze, and (vii) the Company’s future opportunities, strategy and plans in the market. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to there being no guarantee that the trading price of the combined company’s Common Stock will be indicative of the combined company’s value or that the combined company’s Common Stock will become an attractive investment in the future; we may rely on collaborative partners for milestone payments, royalties, materials revenue, contract payments and other revenue projections and may not receive expected revenue; we and our partners may not be able to timely or successfully advance any product(s) in our internal or partnered pipeline or receive regulatory approval and there may not be a market for the product(s) even if successfully developed and approved; and changes in general economic conditions, including as a result of war, conflict, epidemic diseases, the implementation of tariffs, and ongoing or future litigation could expose us to significant liabilities and have a material adverse effect on us. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The information in this press release is provided only as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release based on new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts
Investors:
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
Mike Moyer, Managing Director
mmoyer@lifesciadvisors.com
Media:
KWM Communications
Kellie Walsh
pelthos@kwmcommunications.com
(914) 315-6072
1 https://www.cdc.gov/lice/about/head-lice.html
FAQ
What did Pelthos (PTHS) announce on January 5, 2026 about Xeglyze?
Is Xeglyze FDA-approved and for which patients does it have an indication?
When does Pelthos plan to relaunch Xeglyze after the acquisition?
Does Pelthos owe future milestone or royalty payments to Hatchtech for Xeglyze?
How large is the U.S. addressable market cited for head lice in children?
