Jaguar Health (NASDAQ:JAGX) has announced the U.S. commercial launch of Gelclair, an FDA-approved prescription product indicated for the management of oral mucositis. This launch marks Jaguar's third commercialized prescription product and signifies its entry into the cancer supportive care market.
Addressing a Critical Need in Oncology
Oral mucositis is a common and debilitating side effect of cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy and radiotherapy, affecting up to 90% of head and neck cancer patients. This condition, characterized by painful inflammation and ulceration of the oral mucosa, can significantly impair a patient's ability to eat, drink, speak, and swallow, often leading to treatment interruptions, hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs.
Catherine Collis, Jaguar's Senior Vice President of Growth Strategy, emphasized the company's mission to improve the lives of cancer patients through supportive care. "Oral mucositis is undertreated and underappreciated. We believe we can help cancer patients by giving them a supportive care product for oral mucositis that provides soothing, quick, and lasting pain relief without stinging, drying or burning."
Gelclair: A Novel Approach to Pain Management
Gelclair is a gel that adheres to the mucosal surface of the mouth, forming a protective layer that soothes oral lesions and provides rapid and long-lasting pain relief. Unlike some other treatments for oral mucositis, Gelclair is not a numbing agent and does not sting the mouth, making it a more comfortable option for patients.
Lisa Conte, Jaguar's president and CEO, stated, "Gelclair is a gel with a mechanical action indicated for the management of pain and relief of pain by adhering to the mucosal surface of the mouth. It coats and protects the oral mucosa, which supports healing...and improves the ability of oral mucositis patients to eat, drink, and swallow."
Clinical Perspective
Maged Ghaly, MD, a radiation oncologist at Northwell Health Cancer Institute, Monter Cancer Center, noted, "A key attribute in the management of head and neck cancer patients with Gelclair is, in my experience, to delay the onset which may decrease the severity of oral mucositis, allowing the patients to continue meeting their nutritional needs without having to go on a feeding tube, supporting their ability to withstand their 6 weeks of radiation therapy without having to go to lower doses or treatment interruptions, and to avoid the need for heavy prescription meds for oral mucositis-related pain."
Commercial Strategy and Market Opportunity
Napo Pharmaceuticals, a Jaguar family company, is spearheading the commercial launch of Gelclair, targeting patients with head and neck cancer and oncology-focused healthcare practitioners. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately 71,110 cases of head and neck cancers will occur in the U.S. in 2024, representing a significant market opportunity for Gelclair.
The economic burden of oral mucositis is substantial. A third-party study revealed that severe mucositis/pharyngitis occurred in 70.1% of head and neck cancer patients, with the incremental cost of oral mucositis exceeding $17,244 per patient. By effectively managing oral mucositis, Gelclair has the potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes.
Ongoing Launch Activities
As part of the Gelclair launch, Napo plans to exhibit at key oncology conferences and implement a digital marketing campaign to educate healthcare providers and patients about the benefits of Gelclair.
