ZUG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Galderma today announced that the United Kingdom (UK) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Swissmedic have granted the marketing authorization of nemolizumab for the treatment of both atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis in the UK and Switzerland, respectively. Specifically, the approvals are for nemolizumab’s subcutaneous use for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in combination with topical corticosteroids and/or calcineurin inhibitors in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with a body weight of at least 30kg, who are candidates for systemic therapy, and for subcutaneous use for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis who are candidates for systemic therapy.7,8
These are the first approvals from countries within the Access Consortium framework, an international collaborative initiative comprised of regulatory authorities which work together to address shared challenges. Decisions in the remaining countries within the Access Consortium, Australia and Singapore, are expected later this year. Nemolizumab is also approved in the European Union and United States for both moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis.5,6 Galderma’s leadership in Therapeutic Dermatology is evidenced by the recent regulatory approvals of nemolizumab, and its ongoing commitment to bringing this novel treatment to millions of patients around the world.
Atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis are debilitating skin conditions that affect up to 1.6 million and 18,000 people in the UK, respectively, and 450,000 people altogether in Switzerland.9-14 There is a need for new treatment options for these diseases to effectively relieve the signs and symptoms such as persistent itch, skin lesions and poor sleep quality.1,2,15-17 Itch is one of the most burdensome symptoms of both conditions, with 87% of patients with atopic dermatitis saying that they are seeking freedom from itch, and 88% of patients with prurigo nodularis rating itch as their worst symptom.18,19
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“These approvals offer patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis a much-needed novel treatment option, given the potential burden and negative impact on quality of life associated with these conditions. I am looking forward to offering my patients this new treatment option which has the potential to address their most troublesome symptoms.”
DR. CURDIN CONRAD PROFESSOR OF DERMATOLOGY LAUSANNE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, SWITZERLAND
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Nemolizumab is the first approved monoclonal antibody that specifically targets IL-31 receptor alpha, inhibiting the signaling of IL-31.3 IL-31 is a neuroimmune cytokine that drives itch and is involved in inflammation and skin barrier dysfunction in both atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis, and in fibrosis in prurigo nodularis.1-4
This approval is based on robust results from the phase III ARCADIA and OLYMPIA clinical trial programs, which demonstrated that nemolizumab clinically improved skin lesions, itch, and sleep disturbance in atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis, respectively.20-22 Nemolizumab was well tolerated in both clinical trial programs, and its safety profile was generally consistent with earlier data, and between trials.3,20-22
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“Nemolizumab’s continued regulatory success underscores Galderma’s strong leadership in Therapeutic Dermatology, and our commitment to bringing innovative treatments to the patients. Its approval in the UK and Switzerland was driven yet again by robust data from the ARCADIA and OLYMPIA clinical trial programs, which show that nemolizumab has the potential to improve some of the most debilitating symptoms of both moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis.”
BALDO SCASSELLATI SFORZOLINI, M.D., Ph.D. GLOBAL HEAD OF R&D GALDERMA
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About Galderma
Galderma (SIX: GALD) is the pure-play dermatology category leader, present in approximately 90 countries. We deliver an innovative, science-based portfolio of premium flagship brands and services that span the full spectrum of the fast-growing dermatology market through Injectable Aesthetics, Dermatological Skincare and Therapeutic Dermatology. Since our foundation in 1981, we have dedicated our focus and passion to the human body’s largest organ – the skin – meeting individual consumer and patient needs with superior outcomes in partnership with healthcare professionals. Because we understand that the skin we are in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. For more information: www.galderma.com.
References
- Langan SM, et al. Atopic dermatitis [published correction appears in Lancet. 2020;396(10253):758]. Lancet. 2020;396(10247):345-360. doi:10.1016/S0140- 6736(20)31286-1
- Kwatra SG, Misery L, Clibborn C, Steinhoff M. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of itch and pain in atopic dermatitis and implications for novel therapeutics. Clin Transl Immunology. 2022;11(5):e1390. doi:10.1002/cti2.1390
- Silverberg JI, et al. Phase 2B randomized study of nemolizumab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and severe pruritus. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020;145(1):173-182. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2019.08.013
- Bewley A, et al. Prurigo Nodularis: A Review of IL-31RA Blockade and Other Potential Treatments. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022;12(9):2039–2048. doi:10.1007/s13555- 022-00782-2
- Nemluvio. EU Summary of Product Characteristics 2025
- NEMLUVIO (nemolizumab-ilto) injection 30 mg Prescribing Information. Dallas, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P.; August 2024
- Nemolizumab. UK summary of product characteristics 2025
- Nemluvio. Swissmedic medicinal product information 2025
- Kleyn E, et al. Prevalence and treatment patterns of adult atopic dermatitis in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Skin Health and Disease. 2023;3(4):e232. doi:10.1002/ski2.232
- Morgan C, et al. Epidemiology of prurigo nodularis in England: a retrospective database analysis. British Journal of Dermatology. 2022;187(2):188–195. doi:10.1111/bjd.21032
- UK Office for National Statistics - national population projections: 2021-based interim. Available online. Accessed February 2025
- aha! Swiss Allergy Centre - Prurigo nodularis. Available online. Accessed February 2025
- aha! Swiss Allergy Centre - Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema, neurodermatitis). Available online. Accessed February 2025
- World Health Organization. Population, Switzerland. Available online. Accessed February 2025
- Chisolm SS. A Review of the Current Management and Burden of Prurigo Nodularis in the United States. AJMC. 2023;29(suppl 5):S63-S72. doi:10.37765/ajmc.2023.89366
- Lobefaro F, et al. Atopic Dermatitis: Clinical Aspects and Unmet Needs. Biomedicines. 2022;10:2927. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10112927
- Katoh N, Ohya Y, Ikeda M, et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of atopic dermatitis 2018. J Dermatol. 2019;46(12):1053-1101. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15090
- Augustin M, et al. Real-World Treatment Patterns and Treatment Benefits among Adult Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Results from the Atopic Dermatitis Patient Satisfaction and Unmet Need Survey. Acta Derm Venereol. 2022;7;102:adv00830. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v102.3932. PMID: 36479885; PMCID: PMC10508272
- Rodriguez D, et al. Patient Perspectives on Living With Severe Prurigo Nodularis. JAMA Dermatol. 2023;159(11):1205-1212. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2023.3251. PMID: 37728897; PMCID: PMC10512162
- Silverberg J, et al. Nemolizumab with concomitant topical therapy in adolescents and adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (ARCADIA 1 & 2): results from two replicate double-blinded, randomised controlled phase 3 trials. Lancet. 2024;404(10451):445-460. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01203-0
- Kwatra SG, et al. Placebo-controlled phase III trial of nemolizumab in patients with prurigo nodularis. N Engl J Med. 2023;389:1579-89. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2301333
- Ständer S, et al. Nemolizumab in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Prurigo Nodularis: A Randomized Controlled Phase 3 Trial. JAMA Derm. 2024;160. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2024.4796
