Pelthos Therapeutics, a Durham, North Carolina-based commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced on October 6, 2026 that it has signed an agreement with a major pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) to open access to ZELSUVMI® (berdazimer) topical gel, 10.3%, for 24 million covered lives. The company also received a formulary update from a regional health plan covering approximately 3 million lives. ZELSUVMI now has formulary coverage across 127 million, or 69%, of commercially covered lives, along with Medicaid coverage of more than 70 million, or 100%, of covered lives.
“Expanding patient access to ZELSUVMI has been a top priority for Pelthos since we launched the product last July,” said Sai Rangarao, Chief Commercial Officer at Pelthos. “We are pleased with our progress and remain focused on making this effective, convenient treatment available to patients and families affected by molluscum contagiosum.”
No Prior Authorization Required
The PBM is one of the largest in the U.S., serving roughly one in three Americans through prescription drug benefits for employers, health plans, and government programs. It added ZELSUVMI to its national formulary without requiring prior authorization, effective October 1, 2026. The regional health plan update, which took effect in September, serves roughly 3 million members.
A First-of-Its-Kind At-Home Treatment
ZELSUVMI is a once-daily, nitric oxide-releasing topical gel for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adults and children one year of age and older. It is the first and only prescription therapy approved for use at home by patients, parents, and caregivers to treat molluscum, and it can be applied to sensitive areas such as the face, groin, or underarms. ZELSUVMI received a Novel Drug designation from the FDA in January 2024 and was developed using the NITRICIL™ nitric oxide-based technology platform, now owned by Ligand Pharmaceuticals.
A Common, Often Untreated Infection
Molluscum contagiosum is a highly contagious poxvirus skin infection and one of the most common skin infections seen by dermatologists and pediatricians. It affects an estimated 16.7 million people in the U.S., with up to 6 million new cases each year, most in children. The infection spreads through contact with infected people or contaminated objects and causes raised bumps that can persist for months to years. An estimated 30% of children have lesions lasting beyond 18 months, and up to 73% of children with molluscum go untreated. More information
About Pelthos Therapeutics
Pelthos Therapeutics is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company building a portfolio of differentiated cutaneous infectious disease products. Alongside ZELSUVMI, its portfolio includes XEPI® (ozenoxacin) Cream, 1%, for impetigo, and XEGLYZE® (abametapir), for head lice.
