SAN FRANCISCO - Jaguar Health, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAGX) has announced the U.S. commercial launch of Gelclair, an FDA-approved treatment for oral mucositis, a common and painful side effect of cancer therapy. This product represents the third prescription solution commercialized by Jaguar's family company, Napo Pharmaceuticals.
Oral mucositis, often referred to as "chemo mouth," is a significant adverse event in oncology, causing painful inflammation in the mouth and impacting a patient's ability to eat, drink, and speak. According to a National Comprehensive Cancer Network task force, up to 40% of patients receiving chemotherapy develop oral mucositis. The incidence increases to about 90% among head and neck cancer patients undergoing combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Gelclair is designed to manage and relieve pain by adhering to the mucosal surface of the mouth, forming a protective coating that supports healing. Unlike other treatments, Gelclair does not numb the mouth or cause stinging. Its launch targets patients with head and neck cancer, which represent nearly 4% of all cancer cases in the U.S.
Lisa Conte, Jaguar's president and CEO, expressed confidence in the product's potential to address the undertreatment of oral mucositis and improve patients' quality of life. Maged Ghaly, MD, a radiation oncologist at Northwell Health Cancer Institute, highlighted Gelclair's ability to potentially delay the onset of oral mucositis, which could reduce its severity and the need for feeding tubes or treatment interruptions.
The commercial strategy for Gelclair includes participating in key oncology conferences and a robust digital marketing campaign targeting healthcare providers and educating patients for self-advocacy.
The economic impact of oral mucositis is substantial, with a third-party study showing that severe cases in head and neck cancer patients can add over $17,000 in incremental costs per patient.
Jaguar Health is a commercial-stage pharmaceuticals company that develops plant-derived prescription medicines for gastrointestinal distress. The company's broader mission encompasses a focus on cancer supportive care and expanding access to its treatments across various disease states.
This news article is based on a press release statement from Jaguar Health, Inc.
In other recent news, Jaguar Health, Inc. has made significant advancements in its pharmaceutical developments. The company recently reported a 16% increase in net revenue for Q2 2024 compared to Q1 2024, totaling approximately $2.72 million. However, the company also reported a net loss of $8.8 million in non-GAAP recurring EBITDA for Q2 2024.
Jaguar Health has also been granted new patents in Jordan and Hong Kong for the use of crofelemer, a plant-based prescription drug, in treating short bowel syndrome and related conditions. This strengthens the company's intellectual property portfolio, which now includes around 172 issued patents and 61 pending applications.
The company's Phase 3 OnTarget trial revealed significant benefits of crofelemer for adult breast cancer patients experiencing diarrhea due to cancer therapy. Additionally, Jaguar Health has hired Susan Krizancic, a veteran of the biopharmaceutical industry, as National Sales Director for its subsidiary, Napo Pharmaceuticals.
Lastly, the company is preparing for the commercial launch of Gelclair, a treatment for oral mucositis, in October 2024. These are the recent developments at Jaguar Health.
InvestingPro Insights
As Jaguar Health (NASDAQ:JAGX) launches Gelclair in the U.S. market, investors should consider some key financial metrics and insights from InvestingPro. The company's market capitalization stands at a modest $10.72 million, reflecting its current position in the pharmaceutical industry.
InvestingPro data shows that Jaguar Health's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 was $10.19 million, with a gross profit margin of 79.79%. This high margin suggests that the company's products, including the newly launched Gelclair, have the potential for profitability if sales volumes increase.
However, investors should note that the company is currently operating at a loss, with an operating income margin of -308.15% for the same period. This aligns with an InvestingPro Tip indicating that Jaguar Health is not profitable over the last twelve months and is quickly burning through cash. The launch of Gelclair could be a strategic move to improve the company's financial position.
The stock's performance has been challenging, with InvestingPro data showing a one-year price total return of -94.63%. This significant decline is reflected in another InvestingPro Tip, which states that the stock has taken a big hit over the last six months. The volatility in stock price, as mentioned in an additional InvestingPro Tip, may present both risks and opportunities for investors.
Despite these challenges, it's worth noting that Jaguar Health's liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, according to an InvestingPro Tip. This could provide some financial flexibility as the company rolls out Gelclair and pursues its commercial strategy.
For investors considering Jaguar Health, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips that could provide further insights into the company's financial health and market position. These tips, along with real-time metrics, can be valuable tools for making informed investment decisions in the dynamic pharmaceutical sector.
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