New Eczema Treatment Progress
AbbVie and Almirall report positive trial results for new eczema treatments.
Anonymous
Key Points
1
At week 108, 78.0% of patients in Almirall’s ADlong study had a pruritus score of four or less, indicating low itch levels.
2
Zumilokibart is an investigational anti-IL-13 antibody designed with a YTE Fc-region modification to extend its half-life to 75–77 days; it is not approved by any regulatory authority.
3
APEX Part B was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study that assigned 346 adults across low-, mid- and high-dose zumilokibart groups and placebo for a 16-week induction period.
4
AbbVie reported that the mid-dose zumilokibart regimen reduced skin-severity measures versus placebo as early as week 1, with improved itch reduction by week 2.
Two experimental eczema drugs showed strong results this week, offering new hope for patients with severe skin inflammation. Almirall reported that patients on lebrikizumab maintained dramatic improvements for up to five years, with 92.9% reaching a major symptom milestone at week 108. AbbVie separately unveiled Phase 2 data for zumilokibart, showing that a mid-dose regimen beat placebo by nearly three times on the same measure, clearing the path to larger trials.
Lebrikizumab Sustains Five-Year Control
Almirall's ADlong study tracked patients who stayed on lebrikizumab for up to 108 weeks. At that mark, 92.9% hit EASI-75—a standard scorecard where skin severity drops 75% or more. Even more impressive: 73.8% reached EASI-90, and 66.7% had skin that was clear or nearly clear. The drug kept itching down too: 78.0% of patients reported low itch levels by week 108.
AbbVie's Zumilokibart Beats Placebo Three-to-One
AbbVie's zumilokibart fared well in the APEX Part B Phase 2 trial, which tested 346 adults across three dose levels. At week 16, the mid-dose group hit 65.9% on EASI-75—nearly three times the 23.4% rate in placebo patients. All three dose levels beat placebo, but the mid-dose showed the best balance of power and safety. AbbVie plans to advance that dose into Phase 3 testing.
Zumilokibart Works Fast, Even Week One
What sets zumilokibart apart is speed. AbbVie said the mid-dose regimen cut skin severity versus placebo as early as week 1. Itch relief showed up by week 2. The drug is an anti-IL-13 antibody—it blocks a key protein that drives inflammation. AbbVie engineered it with a YTE Fc-region tweak to stretch its half-life to 75–77 days, meaning fewer injections.
What's Next for Both Drugs
Lebrikizumab is already approved and on the market, so Almirall's five-year data bolsters its real-world case. Zumilokibart, by contrast, is still experimental and not approved anywhere yet. AbbVie must run Phase 3 trials—the largest and most rigorous stage—before seeking regulatory clearance. Both drugs target moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, where existing options fall short for many patients.
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
12
Articles
18
Reach
30
Topics
A
AnonymousAuthor
