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Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA)
NASDAQ:VRCA

Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA) AI Stock Analysis

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VRCA

Verrica Pharmaceuticals

(NASDAQ:VRCA)

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Neutral 56 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:56Neutral
Price Target:
$8.00
▲(0.63% Upside)
The score is held back primarily by weak financial fundamentals—ongoing losses, high cash burn, and negative equity—despite strong revenue growth and margins. Offsetting positives include a constructive earnings outlook with operational traction and regulatory progress, plus improved runway from recent financing; technicals are moderately supportive but not decisive, and valuation lacks earnings/dividend support.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The significant revenue increase indicates strong market acceptance of YCANTH, suggesting potential for sustained growth as the product gains traction.
Regulatory Progress
Regulatory advancements for VP-315 and YCANTH enhance the company's pipeline credibility, potentially accelerating market entry and revenue streams.
Financial Strategy
The strategic financing improves liquidity and reduces debt, providing financial stability to support product development and market expansion.
Negative Factors
Negative Cash Flow
Ongoing negative cash flows indicate reliance on external funding, posing risks to sustainability and limiting self-funded growth opportunities.
Balance Sheet Weakness
The negative equity position reflects financial instability, increasing solvency risk and potentially hindering future investment and growth.
Extended EU Filing Timeline
Delayed EU filing could slow international expansion and revenue diversification, affecting long-term growth prospects in the European market.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionVerrica Pharmaceuticals Inc., a dermatology therapeutics company, develops and commercializes treatments for people with skin diseases in the United States. The company's lead product candidate includes VP-102 for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum; that has completed Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of external genital warts; and which is in Phase II clinical trial for treating common warts. It is also developing cantharidin-based product candidate, VP-103 for treating plantar warts. The company has a license and collaboration agreement with Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for the development and commercialization of its product candidates for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum and common warts in Japan, including VP-102; and a license agreement with Lytix Biopharma AS to develop and commercialize LTX-315 for dermatological oncology indications. Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
How the Company Makes MoneyVerrica Pharmaceuticals generates revenue through the commercialization of its products, particularly once they receive regulatory approval and enter the market. The company's primary revenue stream is expected to come from the sales of its lead product, VP-102, upon successful launch. Additionally, Verrica may engage in partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies, which could involve upfront payments, milestone payments based on development progress, and royalties on sales, thus providing multiple avenues for revenue generation. The company also looks to secure grants and funding opportunities for research and development, which could supplement its earnings as it advances its product pipeline.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 14, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted significant growth in YCANTH dispensations, strategic partnerships, and positive regulatory feedback, offset by challenges like seasonality impacts and a lengthy EU filing process.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Significant Growth in YCANTH Dispensations
YCANTH dispensed applicator units increased by 120% year-over-year, reaching 37,642 units for the nine months ended September 30, 2025.
Strategic Partnership with Torii Pharmaceutical
Received $18 million in cash milestone payments from Torii in 2025, with $10 million received in the third quarter upon YCANTH's approval for molluscum in Japan.
Positive FDA Feedback for Basal Cell Carcinoma Asset VP-315
FDA provided clear and positive feedback on Phase III development for VP-315, showing a 97% objective response rate and an 86% reduction in tumor size.
EU Regulatory Milestone for YCANTH
Received feedback from the European Medicines Agency indicating no further Phase III studies are needed for filing a Marketing Authorization Application for YCANTH in the EU.
Financial Turnaround
Reported total revenue of $14.3 million in Q3 2025, compared to negative revenue of $1.8 million in Q3 2024.
Negative Updates
Seasonality Impact on Sales
Sales were affected by seasonality, particularly in August, due to scheduled vacations and fewer doctor visits.
Incremental Growth Slowed
Incremental growth in pull-through was softer in Q3 compared to the prior quarter.
Extended EU Filing Timeline
Filing for YCANTH in the EU is not expected until Q4 2026, despite no additional clinical trials being required.
Company Guidance
During the third quarter of 2025, Verrica Pharmaceuticals reported significant growth and achievements, including a 120% increase in dispensed applicator units of YCANTH compared to the same period in 2024. The company achieved a total revenue of $14.3 million, with $10.7 million from Torii milestone and collaboration revenue and $3.6 million from net YCANTH revenue. YCANTH's quarter-over-quarter growth was about 5%, with 14,093 dispensed applicator units. Verrica has also successfully reduced spending by about half over the past year while more than doubling the dispensed units of YCANTH. Financially, Verrica's gross product margins stood at 79.1%, and the company ended the quarter with $21.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. On the regulatory front, Verrica received positive feedback from the FDA for their oncology asset, VP-315, and significant progress was made towards YCANTH approval in the European Union, anticipating a Marketing Authorization Application filing by late 2026. The company also expanded its sales force to 45 reps and plans further expansion to 50 in 2026, alongside the introduction of YCANTH Rx, a non-dispensing pharmacy expected to launch in Q4 2025, aimed at streamlining YCANTH prescription processing.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Verrica Pharmaceuticals is facing severe financial challenges, with declining revenues, persistent losses, and negative equity. The company is highly leveraged with negative cash flows, posing substantial risks to its financial health.
Income Statement
34
Negative
Verrica Pharmaceuticals shows a declining revenue trend over recent years, with total revenue dropping from $12 million in 2021 to $7.57 million in 2024. The company has been consistently operating at a loss, with a negative EBIT and net profit margin, which are concerning for long-term profitability. Despite a slight increase in revenue from 2023 to 2024, the overall trend reveals financial instability and high operational expenses relative to revenue.
Balance Sheet
18
Very Negative
The balance sheet reveals significant financial instability, with a negative stockholders' equity in 2024, indicating that liabilities exceed assets. The debt-to-equity ratio is undefined due to negative equity, signaling high leverage and potential solvency issues. The equity ratio is also negative, further highlighting financial distress and the risk of insolvency.
Cash Flow
22
Negative
Verrica Pharmaceuticals faces persistent negative operating and free cash flows, with operating cash flow deteriorating significantly from 2023 to 2024. The free cash flow to net income ratio is unfavorable, indicating insufficient cash generation to cover losses. Although financing cash flows have been positive, they are primarily used to cover operational deficits rather than growth investments.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue30.83M7.57M5.12M9.03M12.00M0.00
Gross Profit28.33M4.83M4.38M8.31M11.53M-229.00K
EBITDA-16.39M-65.90M-62.20M-21.60M-30.31M-39.43M
Net Income-26.01M-76.58M-67.00M-24.49M-35.08M-45.50M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets40.90M54.13M81.60M44.72M80.13M74.15M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments21.10M46.33M69.55M34.27M70.35M65.47M
Total Debt35.74M45.94M45.51M1.53M43.41M37.21M
Total Liabilities57.94M63.99M61.83M4.69M47.52M41.17M
Stockholders Equity-17.04M-9.86M19.76M40.03M32.60M32.99M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-29.10M-60.95M-38.94M-18.95M-28.46M-31.68M
Operating Cash Flow-29.10M-60.93M-38.58M-18.65M-27.58M-30.21M
Investing Cash Flow8.00K-19.00K-362.00K54.04M-998.00K-3.58M
Financing Cash Flow27.23M37.73M74.21M-16.87M33.65M35.23M

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price7.95
Price Trends
50DMA
6.74
Positive
100DMA
5.62
Positive
200DMA
5.78
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.23
Positive
RSI
47.87
Neutral
STOCH
13.97
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For VRCA, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 7.95 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 8.12, above the 50-day MA of 6.74, and above the 200-day MA of 5.78, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.23 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 47.87 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 13.97 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for VRCA.

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Risk Analysis

Verrica Pharmaceuticals disclosed 65 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Verrica Pharmaceuticals reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
58
Neutral
$30.26M-0.494455.07%77.31%
56
Neutral
$121.68M-2.11234.73%81.16%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
48
Neutral
$34.78M-0.89-14.92%72.81%
39
Underperform
$38.00M-0.60-80.81%-17.82%57.32%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
VRCA
Verrica Pharmaceuticals
7.61
0.84
12.36%
GBIO
Generation Bio
5.64
-3.84
-40.51%
ELUT
Elutia
0.81
-2.39
-74.56%
EVAX
Evaxion Biotech
4.79
1.70
55.02%
LIMN
Liminatus Pharma
0.78
-10.96
-93.36%

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesPrivate Placements and Financing
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Adds Caligan Partner to Board
Positive
Dec 30, 2025

On December 26, 2025, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. appointed Charles Frantzreb, a partner at therapeutics-focused investment firm Caligan Partners and a physician by training, to its Board of Directors as a Class III director, with a term running through the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders; his appointment stems from a securities purchase agreement with institutional investors and reflects Caligan’s direct governance role in the company. Separately, on December 23, 2025, the board’s Compensation Committee approved equity awards under Verrica’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, including a large, performance- and stock-price-contingent stock option grant to President and CEO Jayson Rieger and fully vested restricted stock units to Interim CFO John Kirby, moves aimed at strengthening long-term management incentives, addressing comparatively low insider ownership versus peers, and supporting retention amid recent financing activities and an expanded share base.

The most recent analyst rating on (VRCA) stock is a Buy with a $17.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Verrica Pharmaceuticals stock, see the VRCA Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Secures $50M Financing Deal
Positive
Nov 24, 2025

On November 23, 2025, Verrica Pharmaceuticals announced a private placement financing agreement to raise approximately $50 million. This funding will be used to retire the company’s debt facility with OrbiMed, extend its cash runway into mid-2027, and support further development of its product pipeline, including the advancement of YCANTH and VP-315. The financing, expected to close on November 25, 2025, involves selling shares and warrants to institutional and accredited investors, with Caligan Partners gaining rights to appoint a board member. This strategic move aims to solidify Verrica’s financial position and enhance its market presence in dermatology therapeutics.

The most recent analyst rating on (VRCA) stock is a Hold with a $4.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Verrica Pharmaceuticals stock, see the VRCA Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 13, 2026