Galderma, a Nestle-owned Swiss pharma company, said that it has enrolled the first patients in a phase 3 clinical study evaluating nemolizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

The late-stage clinical trial will feature adult patients, who are randomly grouped in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study that will assess the efficacy and safety of the investigational drug for the skin disease.

Nemolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits signaling of IL-31, which is a cytokine known for playing a significant role in the pathogenesis of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Originally developed by Chugai Pharmaceutical, nemolizumab was licensed subsequently in 2016 to Galderma.

Atopic dermatitis is considered to be a serious, chronic form of eczema associated with a high burden of disease linked to itch, poor quality of sleep, and substantial quality of life impairment.

Thibaud Portal – Galderma Global Vice President, Prescription medicines, said:  “We are advancing the development of nemolizumab as planned. The Phase 2 results showed clear clinical benefits, adding to the growing scientific evidence that the IL-31 pathway may be an important driver in atopic dermatitis.

“We are committed to continuing our work to bring new therapies to patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.”

At the 2019 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, Galderma released the final results from a phase 2b clinical trial of nemolizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, which has been published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology recently.

  Atopic dermatitis, eczema, Galderma, Lausanne, nemolizumab, Switzerland, Thibaud Portal