Hatchtech
Hatchtech is a Melbourne-based Australian biotech that developed Xeglyze (abametapir), an FDA-approved single-application prescription head lice treatment, and sold its worldwide commercialization rights to Pelthos Therapeutics in 2026 for $1.8 million.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hatchtech does
Hatchtech Pty Ltd is an Australian biotech company headquartered in Melbourne that developed a proprietary technology platform for creating low-toxicity pest control products. Its lead and only disclosed commercial product was Xeglyze (abametapir), a prescription topical medication for head lice treatment differentiated by a single 10-minute application. The company secured FDA approval for Xeglyze in July 2020, after roughly 18 years of development funded through five equity rounds totaling approximately $34.9 million between 2005 and 2013 from Australian life-sciences investors including OneVentures, QIC BioVentures, Uniseed, GBS Ventures, Brisbane Angels, Blue Sky Private Equity, and the University of Melbourne.
Hatchtech's business model historically centered on developing and commercializing prescription therapeutics through pharmaceutical distribution channels serving healthcare providers and patients. The company was led by CEO Hugh Alsop, Founder & CSO Vern Bowles, and Chairman Paul Kelly, with a small team of 1–10 employees consistent with a development-stage biotech rather than a scaled commercial organization.
On 5 January 2026, Hatchtech sold worldwide commercialization rights for Xeglyze to Pelthos Therapeutics for a one-time payment of $1.8 million, with no future royalties, milestones, or other payments owed to Hatchtech. Pelthos plans to relaunch Xeglyze in the first half of 2027. Following this divestiture, Hatchtech's operating status remains listed as active, but its sole commercial asset has been transferred and no successor pipeline, product launches, or capital raises have been disclosed in the source material.
Hatchtech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hatchtech
- Legal name
- Hatchtech Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://hatchtech.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hatchtech is a Melbourne-based Australian biotech that developed Xeglyze (abametapir), an FDA-approved single-application prescription head lice treatment, and sold its worldwide commercialization rights to Pelthos Therapeutics in 2026 for $1.8 million.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Hatchtech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Melbourne
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hatchtech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Product/Asset Sale: Hatchtech sold the Xeglyze (abametapir) product and worldwide commercialization rights to Pelthos Therapeutics for $1.8 million. The transaction was a one-time asset sale with no ongoing royalty, milestone, or other payments owed to Hatchtech following the acquisition.
Distribution channels1 record
Hatchtech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hatchtech is an Australian biotech company that develops low-toxicity pest control products using a proprietary technology platform. Its primary commercial product, Xeglyze (abametapir), is an FDA-approved prescription medication for head lice treatment that requires only a single 10-minute application. Worldwide commercialization rights for Xeglyze were sold to Pelthos Therapeutics in January 2026 for $1.8 million.
Product overview
Hatchtech is an Australian biotech company that developed Xeglyze (abametapir), an FDA-approved prescription medication for head lice treatment. The company's primary product was a single-application topical treatment that received FDA approval in July 2020. In January 2026, Hatchtech sold the worldwide commercialization rights for Xeglyze to Pelthos Therapeutics for $1.8 million, with Pelthos planning to relaunch the product in the first half of 2027.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Xeglyze (abametapir) FDA-approved prescription medication for the treatment of head lice infestation, requiring only a single 10-minute topical application. Originally developed by Hatchtech and approved by the FDA in July 2020; worldwide commercialization rights were acquired by Pelthos Therapeutics in 2026.
Companies that use Hatchtech
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Hatchtech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hatchtech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Pelthos TherapeuticscorePelthos Therapeutics acquired Xeglyze (abametapir) from Hatchtech Pty Ltd for $1.8 million. The acquisition included worldwide commercialization rights for the FDA-approved head lice treatment. Pelthos plans to relaunch Xeglyze in the first half of 2027. No future milestone, royalty, or other payments are owed to Hatchtech following this transaction.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Hatchtech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Church & Dwight: Owns Nix (permethrin 1%), one of the most widely used OTC head lice treatments. Large consumer health incumbent competing in the same indication as Xeglyze but via OTC channels rather than prescription.
- Bayer: Markets the Rid brand of OTC head lice treatment products. Diversified global consumer health player that competes in head lice through OTC channels rather than the prescription route Hatchtech pursued.
- Prestige Consumer Healthcare: Consumer health company offering various OTC head lice treatment products as part of a broader portfolio. Competes in the same indication as Xeglyze via OTC distribution.
- Johnson & Johnson: Diversified healthcare conglomerate with consumer health OTC products including head lice treatments. Broad incumbent that competes in the same indication via OTC channels as part of a much larger portfolio.
Direct peers
- Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Global generic and specialty pharmaceutical company that has developed and supplied prescription pediculicide products. Comparable in offering prescription head lice treatments targeting the same patient population as Xeglyze.
- Arbor Pharmaceuticals: Marketed Sklice (ivermectin lotion), another FDA-approved prescription head lice treatment. Direct competitor with similar prescription-only positioning and a single-application convenience profile versus older multi-application products.
- ParaPRO: Developed Natroba (spinosad), an FDA-approved prescription topical treatment for head lice. Direct competitor to Hatchtech in the prescription pediculicide category with a comparable regulatory and commercialization profile.
- Pelthos Therapeutics: Acquired worldwide commercialization rights to Xeglyze from Hatchtech in January 2026 and plans to relaunch the product in H1 2027. Now commercializes the asset that Hatchtech originally developed and brought through FDA approval.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Hatchtech social profiles
Digital presenceHatchtech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hatchtech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Hatchtech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hatchtech M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hatchtech
What does Hatchtech do?
Hatchtech is an Australian biotech company that develops low-toxicity pest control products using a proprietary technology platform. Its primary commercial product, Xeglyze (abametapir), is an FDA-approved prescription medication for head lice treatment that requires only a single 10-minute application. Worldwide commercialization rights for Xeglyze were sold to Pelthos Therapeutics in January 2026 for $1.8 million.
Is Hatchtech a public or private company?
Hatchtech is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Hatchtech founded?
Hatchtech was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hatchtech based?
Hatchtech is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Hatchtech make money?
One revenue line is on record: product/Asset Sale.
Who are Hatchtech's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Church & Dwight, Bayer, Prestige Consumer Healthcare and Johnson & Johnson. Direct peers are Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Arbor Pharmaceuticals, ParaPRO and Pelthos Therapeutics.
Does Hatchtech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hatchtech.