Arcutis begins phase 2b enrollment for topical JAK1 inhibitor for hand eczema

Enrollment is underway in the 2b portion of a phase 1/2b trial of ARQ-252 for the treatment of chronic hand eczema, Arcutis Biotherapeutics announced in a press release.

A highly selective topical small molecule inhibitor of Janus kinase type 1 (JAK1), ARQ-252 cream is designed to be applied once or twice daily.

The study will compare the safety and efficacy of 0.1% cream and 0.3% cream against vehicle for 12 weeks.

Topline data are expected in the second half of 2021.

“We believe that, due to its demonstrated potency and high selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2, ARQ-252 has the potential to provide the level of efficacy patients desperately want without causing the side effects that may be associated with other less selective JAK inhibitors, thereby eliminating the need to compromise between safety, efficacy and tolerability,” Howard Welgus, MD, Arcutis chief medical officer, said in the release.