Incyte details positive outcome of topical rux in vitiligo
Trust favourite Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) saw its stock rise by 5% today after reporting positive results of a Phase II study of ruxolitinib cream in the treatment of vitiligo (a condition characterised by de-pigmentation of skin) at a scientific conference over the weekend. Incyte, which is held by International Biotechnology Trust (IBT) and BB Biotech (BION), is developing a topical version of the JAK 1/2 inhibitor that is used in Jakafi, its drug approved for myelofibrosis and graft versus host disease. The results were announced at the World Congress of Dermatology.
The randomised, double-blind study in adult patients (18 -75 years old) with vitiligo met its primary endpoint, by demonstrating that significantly more patients treated with ruxolitinib cream for 24 weeks achieving a ≥50% improvement from baseline in the facial vitiligo area severity index (F-VASI50) score compared those treated with a vehicle control (non-medicated cream). F-VASI50 response was most notably achieved with ruxolitinib cream 1.5% administered once daily (QD) and twice daily (BID) vs. vehicle control (50% and 45% vs. 3%, respectively; P<0.001).
Incyte said it intends to advance ruxolitinib cream into Phase III development for vitiligo and hopes it may become the first approved treatment for the disease. Topical ruxolitinib is also in two phase III studies in atopic dermatitis. Competitor Pfizer is testing its TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, PF-06700841 as an oral treatrment for vitiligo (Phase II), while a topical version of this drug is in development for psoriasis (the oral version is also in development for this condition). Meanwhile Aclaris’s ATI-502, which is also topical, is due to yield data from a phase II study in vitiligo later this year.
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