Arcutis enrolls first patient in alopecia areata study evaluating topical treatment

The first patient has been enrolled in a phase 1b study evaluating ARQ-255 topical suspension 3% in the treatment of alopecia areata, Arcutis Biotherapeutics announced in a press release.

ARQ-255, a topical Janus kinase inhibitor therapy, was formulated specifically to treat alopecia areata. According to the press release, Arcutis uses its 4D technology to deliver ARQ-255 to an area of “key alopecia areata inflammation” at the base of the hair follicle.

“Alopecia areata is an immune condition that not only causes hair loss, but also causes significant negative impact on an individual’s emotional and mental well-being. Today, there are no FDA-approved topical therapies to treat the condition,” Frank Watanabe, president and CEO at Arcutis, said in the release. “We are delighted to take this first step in the clinical development of ARQ-255, which leverages our unique 4D technology to deliver drug to the site of inflammation deep in the hair follicle.”

ARQ-255 efficacy and safety in adults with patchy alopecia areata will be studied in this phase 1b, vehicle-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study.