Phase III readout could position Pfizer’s JAK-1 to compete in eczema

Data from the first of two Phase III trials of Pfizer’s JAK-1 inhibitor abrocitinib to treat atopic dermatitis suggest that the oral small molecule could deliver efficacy that ranks with injectable blockbuster Dupixent dupilumab.

In a weekend presentation at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology meeting in Madrid, Pfizer reported investigator-assessed response rates of 43.8% and 23.7% for high- and low-dose abrocitinib vs. 7.9% for placebo, meeting one co-primary endpoint of the Phase III JADE-MONO-1 trial. On the other, the high and low doses led to improvements of at least 75% on the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) in 62.7% and 39.7% of patients, respectively, compared with 11.8% for placebo...