Release
2026/02/09
OSAKA, Japan, February 9, 2026 - Shionogi & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Osaka, Japan; Chief Executive Officer: Isao Teshirogi, Ph.D.) announces today that its group company, Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President and Chief Executive Officer: Nobumasa Kondo), has issued a press release announcing the launch in Japan of YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% for the Treatment of Molluscum Contagiosum.
Below is the announcement released by Torii Pharmaceutical.
Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Torii) is pleased to announce today the launch of YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% (cantharidin) for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in Japan. This product received manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan for the indication of molluscum contagiosum, a common pediatric skin infection, on September 19, 2025, and has been listed on the Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) drug price list on November 12, 2025.
YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% is a topical solution for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum in patients (≥2 years old) that use cantharidin as its active ingredient. While the exact mechanism of action of YCANTH® is not fully understood, it is thought that when applied to the affected area, it activates neutral serine proteases, weakening epidermal desmosomes of the epidermis and breaks down the epidermal structure, and leading to the formation of intraepidermal blisters at the application site. The formation of these blisters causes the affected skin to peel off. The resulting peeling of the skin is believed to remove the virus-infected tissue, thereby providing a therapeutic effect.
In the Phase 3 clinical program of YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% in patients with molluscum contagiosum (≥2 years old) in Japan, the primary endpoint of efficacy has met superiority to the vehicle. Furthermore, the safety of YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% was confirmed and there were no observed issues of tolerability for the application.
Torii expects YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% to be a new option for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum patients (≥2 years old) in Japan.
In the United States, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Verrica) received approval for YCANTH® from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2023 for the topical treatment of molluscum contagiosum in adult and pediatric patients (≥2 years old) and launched YCANTH® in the US in August 2023.
＜YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% Information＞
Product name YCANTH® topical solution 0.71%
Generic Name Cantharidin
Indications Molluscum Contagiosum
Dosage and administration For adults and pediatric patients (≥2 years old), apply an appropriate amount of solution to the affected area once every 3 weeks during treatment. 16 to 24 hours after application, washing affected area with soap.
Package Glass Ampoule Applicator：0.45mL×5 （One braking tool attached）
NHI Drug Price ¥14,995.60（0.71% 0.45mL）
Approval Date September 19, 2025
NHI Pricing Date November 12, 2025
Launch Date February 9, 2026
Distributor Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Import source Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
ABOUT Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a highly contagious viral skin infection caused by the molluscum contagiosum virus, a member of the poxviridae family, commonly known as "water warts." It primarily affects children and is characterized by small, shiny papules (1–4 mm in diameter) on the trunk and extremities.
ABOUT Common Warts
Common warts (Verruca vulgaris) are a common dermatologic disease caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), commonly known as “warts”. They typically appear keratinized, raised bumps (several mm to 1 cm) on the hands and feet.
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