Plant-based topical improves itch, quality of life among patients with atopic dermatitis
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Key takeaways:
- Eight of 10 participants reported an itch reduction score of 4 points by week 8.
- All participants reported a 6-point or more reduction in quality of life impairment by week 8.
Zabalafin hydrogel clinically improved itch and quality of life among pediatric and adult patients with atopic dermatitis, according to interim results presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology Congress.
“Managing the skin microbiome, more specifically the bacteria on the skin and in particular the bacteria staphylococcus aureus, also known as staph, is increasingly being focused on as the main cause of AD and an essential treatment component of an effective AD drug,” Neal Koller, CEO of Alphyn Biologics, told Healio. “Further, there is an important unmet need for an AD therapeutic that is effective against all AD symptoms, which include itch, inflammation, staph-induced flare-ups and infection.”
Zabalafin hydrogel (AB-101a, Alphyn Biologics) is a novel, first-in-class, multi-target therapeutic plant-based drug that addresses these bacteria is currently being evaluated in what is the first-in-human phase 2 study.
Previous interim data from this study showed that Zabalafin may be safe and effective in the treatment of patients aged 2 years and older with AD. This new set of interim data shows that Zabalafin rapidly reduced itch and improved quality of life in these patients as well.
A total of 10 participants were included in the interim results, seven of whom were aged 3 to 17 years and the remaining aged 18 to 45 years. The patients were treated with Zabalafin hydrogel twice a day for 8 weeks.
Results showed that an itch reduction score of 4 points or more was achieved by 80% of participants by week 8 after reporting an 8 out of 10 itch severity at baseline. Similarly, all participants reported an improved quality of life, defined as a 6-point or more reduction in Patient Oriented Eczema Measure scores, which were previously 18.6 out of 28 at baseline.
“These interim results point to Zabalafin hydrogel having the potential to be the first AD therapeutic that is worry free for long-term, continuous use,” Koller said. “We are looking forward to initiating larger phase 2b trials in the U.S. and globally in the first half of 2025.”