Verrica Recieves CRL from FDA for Molluscum Drug VP-102 Application

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) to Verrica Pharmaceuticals regarding the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for investigative therapy VP-102, for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum.

The CRL cited deficiencies at a facility of a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) as part of the FDA’s rationale to formally delay regulatory consideration of VP-102. According to Verrica, the facility in question is not specifically related to the manufacturing of the investigative drug, and the company was not previously made aware by the FDA of any deficiencies at the CMO related to the manufacturing of VP-102.

“More importantly, the FDA did not identify any clinical, safety or product specific Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls deficiencies related to VP-102,” the company’s statement read.

VP-102 is a single-use, drug-device combination product featuring a GMP-controlled cantharidin (0.7% w/v) formulation. It has been investigated via single-use applicator to treat the highly contagious—and mostly pediatric—viral skin condition molluscum. Molluscum is caused by a pox virus, and is associated with raised lesions that cause pain, inflammation, itching sensation and bacterial infection in patients.

Verrica previously completed a pair of phase 2 trials assessing VP-102 for the treatment of common warts, and the treatment of external genital warts.

The company intends to work and communicate with the FDA to absolve the CRL deficiencies.

“We remain confident that we have a path forward for VP-102 as a potential treatment option for molluscum, a highly contagious viral skin disease affecting approximately 6 million people in the United States—primarily children—for which there are currently no FDA-approved treatments,” said Ted White, Verrica’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in a statement.