Company Description
Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: SLGL) is a dermatology-focused company that identifies, develops and commercializes or partners drug products for the treatment of skin diseases. According to company disclosures, Sol-Gel has developed two approved large-category topical dermatology products, TWYNEO and EPSOLAY, and is advancing a late-stage pipeline targeting rare and severe skin conditions such as Gorlin syndrome and rare hyperkeratinization disorders.
Core business and therapeutic focus
Sol-Gel describes itself as a dermatology company focused on drug products for skin diseases, with an emphasis on both branded and partnered assets. The company developed TWYNEO, a topical cream containing a fixed-dose combination of tretinoin 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 3% for the treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and pediatric patients nine years of age and older. TWYNEO is noted as the first acne treatment that contains this fixed-dose combination, using silica (silicon dioxide) core shell structures to separately micro-encapsulate tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide crystals so they can be included together in a single cream.
Sol-Gel also developed EPSOLAY, a topical cream containing benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 5% for the treatment of inflammatory lesions (bumps and blemishes) of rosacea in adults. Company materials state that EPSOLAY utilizes a proprietary, patented technology that encapsulates BPO within silica-based microcapsules, creating a barrier between the medication and the skin. The silica-based shell is designed to slowly release BPO over time to provide a tolerable and effective treatment.
Pipeline in rare and severe dermatologic diseases
Beyond its approved products, Sol-Gel’s pipeline includes SGT-610 and SGT-210, which target rare dermatologic conditions. SGT-610 is described as a new topical hedgehog signaling pathway blocker (patidegib gel 2%) under Phase 3 clinical investigation for the prevention of new basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions in patients with Gorlin syndrome. Company communications describe SGT-610 as an Orphan and, in some disclosures, Breakthrough Drug candidate. Sol-Gel states that SGT-610 is being developed as a topical hedgehog inhibitor that is expected to have an improved safety profile compared to oral hedgehog inhibitors, and that it has the potential, if approved, to be the first treatment for prevention of BCCs in Gorlin syndrome patients.
Gorlin syndrome is characterized in Sol-Gel’s materials as an autosomal dominant genetic disorder affecting a defined patient population in the United States, mostly caused by inheritance of one defective copy of the tumor suppressor PTCH1 gene. Normally, the PTCH1 gene blocks the SMO gene, turning off the hedgehog signaling pathway when it is not needed. Mutations in PTCH1 may cause loss of PTCH1 function, release of SMO, and allow BCC tumor cells to divide uncontrollably. Patidegib, the active substance in SGT-610, is designed to block the SMO signal, allowing cells to function normally and reducing the production of new tumors, according to the company’s description.
Sol-Gel’s other key pipeline asset is SGT-210, a topical erlotinib drug candidate formulated for the treatment of Darier disease and other rare hyperkeratosis or hyperkeratinization-related indications and keratodermas. Erlotinib is described as a tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor that acts on the epidermal growth factor receptor, a protein present on cell surfaces that plays a key role in promoting cell growth and division. Company disclosures explain that Darier disease is a rare genetic keratinization disorder, classically characterized by scaly, crusted papules in a seborrheic distribution and in skin folds. SGT-210 has been evaluated in a vehicle-controlled Phase 1b proof-of-concept study in Darier disease and is also mentioned as being used in compassionate treatment in a pediatric patient with Olmsted disease and in other rare skin keratodermas, according to company updates.
Commercialization and partnering strategy
Sol-Gel’s business model, as described in its press releases and SEC filings, combines internal development with extensive partnering. The company developed TWYNEO and EPSOLAY and has entered into multiple license and product purchase agreements to commercialize these products in different territories. In the United States, Sol-Gel entered into a product purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Mayne Pharma Group Limited for the sale and exclusive license of U.S. rights to EPSOLAY and TWYNEO. Outside the U.S., Sol-Gel has signed license agreements with partners in various territories, including most European countries, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, and has indicated that these agreements are expected to provide upfront and regulatory milestone payments and future royalty revenue streams.
For example, Sol-Gel reports that Health Canada issued a Notice of Compliance for EPSOLAY for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea in adults, under a partnership with Searchlight Pharma, which is responsible for Canadian regulatory approval and commercialization. The company also notes additional license agreements with Viatris covering Australia and New Zealand for both EPSOLAY and TWYNEO, as well as multiple agreements in Europe and other regions. These arrangements reflect Sol-Gel’s stated strategy of commercializing or partnering its dermatology assets to generate non-dilutive revenue while focusing internal resources on rare disease development programs such as SGT-610 and SGT-210.
Clinical development activities
Company communications describe an ongoing pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of SGT-610 in Gorlin syndrome, conducted at numerous experienced clinical centers in multiple countries. Sol-Gel reports completion of patient enrollment and indicates that top-line results from this Phase 3 trial are expected in a future period, emphasizing the importance of this study as a key corporate milestone. The company also discusses physician interest in SGT-610 for patients with severe, high-frequency BCC, including compassionate use in non-Gorlin patients with PTCH1-mutated lesions, and states that it is evaluating feasibility studies in high-frequency BCC as a potential additional indication.
For SGT-210, Sol-Gel has conducted a vehicle-controlled Phase 1b proof-of-concept clinical trial in patients with Darier disease. In an update following unblinding of this study, the company reported that the data did not show differentiation between SGT-210 and vehicle on the study’s efficacy assessments and that it decided not to advance to the next stage of development in this indication. At the same time, Sol-Gel stated that it intends to pursue very small, low-cost feasibility studies in other areas of unmet medical need where the mechanistic rationale for SGT-210 is considered strong, and that SGT-210 remains under investigation for rare hyperkeratinization disorders.
Regulatory and listing status
Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd. is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol SLGL. Company disclosures explain that the listing was transferred from The Nasdaq Global Market to The Nasdaq Capital Market in connection with efforts to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement. Sol-Gel has also implemented a 10-for-1 reverse share split of its ordinary shares, with the stated objective of increasing the per-share market price and maintaining its Nasdaq listing. SEC filings confirm that the company files annual reports on Form 20-F and current reports on Form 6-K as a foreign private issuer.
Geographic footprint and corporate structure
Sol-Gel identifies itself as an Israel-based company, with SEC filings listing its location in Ness Ziona, Israel. Its operations, as described in public disclosures, include research and development activities in dermatology, clinical trial management for rare skin disease programs, and collaboration with international partners for commercialization of approved products and potential future launches in multiple territories.
Position within medicinal and botanical manufacturing
Within the broader medicinal and botanical manufacturing industry, Sol-Gel’s focus is on dermatological drug products, particularly topical formulations. The company’s disclosures emphasize expertise in silica-based microencapsulation technologies for topical benzoyl peroxide and fixed-dose combinations, as well as in the development of topical hedgehog pathway inhibitors and topical erlotinib formulations. Its portfolio spans large-category conditions such as acne vulgaris and rosacea through TWYNEO and EPSOLAY, and rare dermatologic diseases such as Gorlin syndrome, Darier disease and other hyperkeratinization disorders through SGT-610 and SGT-210.
Risk factors and forward-looking considerations
In its forward-looking statements, Sol-Gel highlights risks related to clinical trial success, regulatory approvals, the adequacy of financial resources, the timing and size of payments under licensing agreements, potential changes in strategic focus for acne and rosacea businesses, and general market and geopolitical conditions in the countries where it operates. While these forward-looking statements are not historical facts, they illustrate the company’s own view of uncertainties around its development programs, commercialization plans and financial outlook.
Summary
Overall, Sol-Gel Technologies Ltd. presents itself as a dermatology company with two FDA-approved topical products, TWYNEO for acne vulgaris and EPSOLAY for inflammatory lesions of rosacea, and a pipeline centered on rare and severe skin conditions. Its business model combines in-house development of topical dermatology technologies with global partnering to commercialize products and generate non-dilutive revenue, while advancing late-stage programs such as SGT-610 in Gorlin syndrome and exploratory work with SGT-210 in rare hyperkeratinization disorders.