Zelsuvmi™ (berdazimer topical gel, 10.3%) from Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is now FDA approved for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (molluscum) in adults and pediatric patients one year of age and older. It is the first novel drug approved for the treatment of molluscum infections.
Zelsuvmi is the first and only topical prescription medication for molluscum that can be applied by patients, parents, or caregivers at home, outside of a physician’s office, or other medical setting.
The mechanism of action of Zelsuvmi for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum is unknown. Zelsuvmi is a nitric oxide releasing agent. Nitric oxide has been shown to have antiviral properties.
The efficacy of Zelsuvmi was demonstrated in 2 Phase 3 trials – B-SIMPLE 4 and B-SIMPLE 2, which showed that treatment reduced lesion counts and was well tolerated when used once a day. The most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥1%) in clinical trials were application site reactions.
Zelsuvmi is expected to be available in the US in the second half of 2024.