Company Description
Journey Medical Corporation (Nasdaq: DERM) is a commercial-stage pharmaceutical company that focuses on the selling and marketing of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription pharmaceutical products for the treatment of dermatological conditions. According to the company’s public disclosures, Journey Medical currently markets eight branded FDA-approved prescription drugs that help treat and heal common skin conditions. The company’s common stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and it files periodic reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Journey Medical is based in Scottsdale, Arizona and was founded by Fortress Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq: FBIO). The company describes its operating approach as an efficient sales and marketing model focused on dermatology, supported by a team of industry experts with extensive experience in developing and commercializing prescription dermatology brands. Within the broader manufacturing sector, Journey Medical is classified in medicinal and botanical manufacturing, reflecting its role in commercializing prescription pharmaceutical products.
Business focus and product portfolio
Journey Medical states that it is primarily focused on FDA-approved prescription pharmaceutical products for dermatological conditions. The company reports that it markets eight branded prescription drugs that address common skin conditions. Public information from prior descriptions and company communications indicates that its portfolio has included branded dermatology products such as Qbrexza, Accutane, Amzeeq, Exelderm and others, alongside newer products that have received FDA approval.
A key recent product for Journey Medical is Emrosi (DFD-29), described as 40 mg minocycline hydrochloride modified-release capsules (10 mg immediate release and 30 mg extended release). Emrosi is FDA-approved in the United States for the treatment of inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules) of rosacea in adults. Company press releases highlight Emrosi as a recently launched treatment for inflammatory lesions of rosacea and note that it is available by prescription, including through specialty pharmacy chains.
Dermatology and rosacea focus
Journey Medical’s communications emphasize its focus on dermatological conditions and, in particular, its work in rosacea. Rosacea is described in company materials as a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition that can present with deep facial redness, acne-like inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules), and spider veins (telangiectasia). Journey Medical has reported results from Phase 3 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active-comparator and placebo-controlled clinical trials evaluating DFD-29 (Emrosi) for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults, as well as a Phase 1 clinical trial assessing the impact of low-dose oral minocycline on skin, gastrointestinal and vaginal microflora in healthy adults.
According to the company, these Phase 3 trials (MVOR-1 and MVOR-2) met all co-primary and secondary endpoints and demonstrated statistical superiority of DFD-29 versus both placebo and an active comparator in achieving Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) treatment success and reducing total inflammatory lesion counts. The company also reports that DFD-29 was well tolerated in these trials, with no major safety issues or serious adverse events related to the study drug. The Phase 1 trial results, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, are described as showing no detectable impact on skin, gastrointestinal or vaginal microbiota over 16 weeks of administration in healthy adults, supporting its use as a therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe rosacea.
Regulatory and public company profile
Journey Medical is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol DERM. SEC filings confirm that its common stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company identifies itself as an emerging growth company under applicable SEC rules and notes that it files periodic reports, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K.
In its public filings, Journey Medical has disclosed various corporate and financing developments, such as amendments to its credit agreement providing for a term loan facility, and an at-the-market issuance sales agreement under which it may offer and sell shares of common stock through designated agents. The company has also reported corporate governance actions, including the filing of a Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation following stockholder approval, and matters submitted to stockholders at its annual meeting.
Capital markets and index inclusion
Journey Medical has announced that it joined the small-cap Russell 2000 Index and the broad-market Russell 3000 Index, effective after the close of U.S. equity markets on June 27, 2025, as part of the annual Russell index reconstitution. The company has also highlighted milestones such as ringing the Nasdaq Stock Market closing bell in connection with its anniversary as a publicly traded company and the commercial launch of Emrosi.
Clinical data and publications
The company has reported that efficacy data from pooled analyses of its Phase 3 clinical trials of DFD-29 in rosacea have been presented at dermatology conferences, including the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference and the SDPA Summer Dermatology Conference. These analyses, as described in company press releases, indicate statistically significant differences in IGA treatment success and inflammatory lesion count reduction for DFD-29 compared with both placebo and an active comparator, as well as findings that differences in body weight did not affect the efficacy of Emrosi in the Phase 3 trials.
Journey Medical has also noted that clinical data related to Emrosi have been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology and JAMA Dermatology, and that these publications support the safety and efficacy profile of Emrosi as a low-dose oral treatment option for inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults.
Risk considerations and regulatory environment
In its forward-looking statements and risk factor summaries contained in press releases and referenced SEC filings, Journey Medical notes that its products and product candidates are subject to time- and cost-intensive regulation and clinical testing, and may never be successfully developed or commercialized. The company highlights risks related to competition, including potential generic competition and new competitor products, dependence on sales of dermatology products, the need for broad market acceptance by physicians, patients, government and third-party payors, reliance on third parties for aspects of operations, and dependence on the successful commercialization of Emrosi and any future product candidates.
Journey Medical also identifies risks related to intellectual property protection, cybersecurity, going concern considerations, the effects of major public health issues on product revenues and clinical trials, potential capital needs, and the fact that Fortress Biotech controls a voting majority of its common stock. These risk statements are presented as part of the company’s standard cautionary language under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Position within the dermatology sector
Within the dermatology-focused pharmaceutical space, Journey Medical portrays itself as a commercial-stage company centered on FDA-approved prescription products for skin conditions, supported by a dermatology-focused sales organization and management team with experience in dermatology brands. Its emphasis on rosacea and the commercialization of Emrosi, along with a portfolio of other branded dermatology drugs, situates the company among specialized pharmaceutical businesses concentrating on skin health.
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Short Interest History
Short interest in Journey Medical (DERM) currently stands at 2.4 million shares, up 0.7% from the previous reporting period, representing 9.3% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 2054.9%. With 17.9 days to cover, it would take significant time for short sellers to close their positions based on average trading volume.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Journey Medical (DERM) currently stands at 17.9 days, up 11.9% from the previous period. This elevated days-to-cover ratio indicates it would take over two weeks of average trading volume for short sellers to exit their positions, suggesting potential for a short squeeze if positive news emerges. The days to cover has increased 628.9% over the past year, indicating either rising short interest or declining trading volume. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 2.1 to 19.1 days.