One to Watch: Nektar Therapeutics' Rezpegaldesleukin Shows Promise in Phase 1b AD Study

Rezpegaldesleukin is a novel, first-in-class selective regulatory T-cell therapy being developed for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Nektar Therapeutics’ rezpegaldesleukin met several clinical efficacy endpoints with statistically significance, including Body Surface Area (BSA), Dermatology Life (DLQI), and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) in addition to reported efficacy for Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)-related endpoints in  Phase 1b study of patients with atopic dermatitis.

Rezpegaldesleukin is a novel, first-in-class selective regulatory T-cell (Treg) therapy being developed for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 1b study of rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis evaluated safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics over a 12-week induction treatment period. Patients with ≥EASI-50 response at Week 19 were followed for an additional 36 weeks after the end of the treatment period or until EASI-25 response criteria were no longer met. The first study evaluated 44 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who had progressed on topical corticosteroids.

"These new data announced today for rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis demonstrate that, in addition to the strong previously reported efficacy for Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)-related endpoints, rezpegaldesleukin has the potential to be a differentiated therapeutic that could greatly improve quality-of-life for patients," says Jonathan Zalevsky, PhD, Chief R&D Officer of Nektar Therapeutics., in a news release. 

The company presented the new Phase 1b clinical efficacy endpoints for rezpegaldesleukin at its investor and analyst event. The company also presented the trial designs for its Phase 2b study starting in October of rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis and its new planned Phase 2a study starting in early 2024 in alopecia areata.