Incyte announced that the first patient has been treated in the Phase 3 TRuE-AD clinical trial program evaluating the long-term effects of ruxolitinib cream as monotherapy for adolescent and adult patients with atopic dermatitis.
Jakafi ruxolitinib, which is used to treat blood cancer, is Incyte’s blockbuster drug with sales of $1 billion.
“Atopic dermatitis can have a serious impact on patients’ overall health and quality of life and, unfortunately, the long-term use of prescription topical corticosteroids can lead to significant side effects, underscoring the medical need for new topical therapies to treat this chronic skin disease,” said Steven Stein, M.D., chief medical officer, Incyte. “With the initiation of the Phase 3 program, for ruxolitinib cream, we are moving closer to our goal of providing a safe and effective alternative treatment for adolescent and adult patients living with this chronic, burdensome disease.”
AD is a common chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the skin. At least 11 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with and are being treated for AD. The majority of these patients have a mild or moderate form of the disease and approximately 80 percent are adults or adolescents. Signs and symptoms include irritated and itchy skin that can cause red lesions that may ooze and crust. Patients with AD are also more susceptible to bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
The TRuE-AD clinical trial program includes two Phase 3 studies.
The studies will each enroll approximately 600 patients.
Inctye is based near Wilmington.
