England's NICE Recommends Lebrikizumab for Moderate-to-Severe AD

England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended lebrikizumab for use in treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, Almirall S.A. announced in a press release.

Lebrikizumab, sold by Almirall under the brand name Ebglyss, is indicated for the treatment of adult and adolescent patients (12 years and older with a body weight of at least 40 kg) with moderate-to-severe AD who are candidates for systemic therapy. The treatment was approved by the European Commission and the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in December 2023. 

Andrew Proctor, National Eczema Society Chief Executive, said the organization “welcomes the NICE recommendation for lebrikizumab as an additional treatment for eligible people with moderate to severe atopic eczema. It’s important we have a range of treatment options, so patients have the chance to access a treatment that works well for them.”

Jorgen Damsbo, General Manager at Almirall, UK, says the recommendation is a testament to the benefits the treatment can bring to patients due to its demonstrated efficacy and acceptable safety profile. “This is well aligned with our company purpose to transform the patient's world by helping them realize their hopes and dreams for a healthy life,” Damsbo said.

Richard Weller, Professor of Medical Dermatology at the University of Edinburgh and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist, said the increase in drug development in AD is “encouraging,” especially with biologic treatments. “That lebrikizumab is now reimbursed by NICE is great news for patients as it adds another much-needed targeted biologic to the treatment options already available for atopic dermatitis,” he said.