Business
Ligand Subsidiary Pelthos Therapeutics to Combine with Channel Therapeutics
Proposed transaction will raise $50 million in equity capital and enhance a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on launching Pelthos’ ZELSUVMI™
About this update from Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
[{"type":"text","content":"Proposed transaction will raise $50 million in equity capital and enhance a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company focused on launching Pelthos’ ZELSUVMI™ ZELSUVMI is an FDA-designated novel drug and the first and only prescription medication approved for the treatment of Molluscum contagiosum infections administered at home by parents, patients, and caregivers Ligand is entitled to a 13% royalty on worldwide sales of ZELSUVMI Transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2025 JUPITER, Fla. and FREEHOLD, N.J., April 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (“Ligand”) (Nasdaq: LGND) and Channel Therapeutics Corporation (“Channel”) (NYSE American: CHRO), a pioneer in the development of non-opioid pain treatment therapeutics, today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to combine Ligand’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. and LNHC, Inc. (collectively “Pelthos”) with CHRO Merger Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Channel. The merger will be supported by $50 million in capital raised from a group of strategic investors led by Murchinson (“Investor Group”). Upon completion of the transaction, the combined company will operate under the name Pelthos Therapeutics Inc. and trade on the NYSE American exchange under the ticker PTHS. The combined company will initially focus on accelerating the commercialization of Pelthos’ ZELSUVMI™ (berdazimer) topical gel, 10.3%, for the treatment of Molluscum contagiosum infections (“molluscum”) in adults and pediatric patients one year of age and older.1 ZELSUVMI was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2024 and is the first and only prescription therapy for molluscum infections approved for use at home by patients, parents, and caregivers. The combined company will also retain Channel’s existing NaV 1.7 development programs for the treatment of various types of chronic pain, acute and chronic eye pain, and post-surgical nerve blocks. An update on Channel’s animal efficacy study for its eye pain program will be forthcoming. “This transaction presents a compelling opportunity to launch a commercial-ready product, with significant financial backing from Murchinson, that has the potential to deliver both near and long-term value to our shareholders,” said Todd Davis, CEO of Ligand. “We executed a complex restructu...