As these treatments enter the market, they highlight the growing emphasis on improving care for individuals affected by this widespread skin condition. According to GlobalData’s recent report, “Atopic Dermatitis Epidemiology Analysis and Forecast,” the number of diagnosed prevalent cases of AD across the seven major markets is projected to increase at an annual growth rate of over 0.02 percent between 2020 and 2030.
Exciting Developments in AD Treatment Landscape
Filippos Maniatis, a Healthcare Analyst at GlobalData, commented, “It is an exciting time for the treatment landscape of AD as multiple therapies are nearing approval. VTAMA (tapinarof) and ZORYVE (roflumilast) in Japan and the US, respectively, bring further excitement to the wider community for what the future holds in the treatment landscape of AD.”
Current Treatment Approaches and New Mechanisms
The severity of the disease guides physicians in determining the appropriate treatment for AD patients. Basic treatment involves avoiding triggers through the use of bath oils and emollients. In mild cases, emollients are used to restore the skin barrier. Current therapies for AD include topical and systemic treatments, such as inhibitors targeting Janus kinases (JAK), phosphodiesterases, calcineurin, and interleukins (ILs), as well as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulators and immunosuppressants.
VTAMA and ZORYVE introduce interesting mechanisms of action (MoAs). VTAMA is an AhR agonist, presenting a novel mechanism for AD, as no other marketed therapies currently employ this approach. ZORYVE is a phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, a mechanism previously seen in Pfizer’s Eucrisa (crisaborole).
Looking Ahead: Promising Pipeline Agents
Following recent approvals, the AD community is optimistic about the potential benefits of VTAMA and ZORYVE for patients. The AD space remains highly dynamic, with multiple pipeline agents currently in clinical trials. The addition of VTAMA and ZORYVE is expected to provide additional benefits to AD patients by addressing their unmet needs related to the lack of effective therapies. Maniatis added, “AD is currently experiencing increased attention from pharma companies, as there are still unmet needs that need to be addressed. Clinical trials are evaluating new mechanisms of action against AD, such as BTLA and OX40 inhibitors, which have shown promising results in Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials, indicating further opportunities for research into potential AD treatments.”
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