AbbVie's Rinvoq smashes Phase 3 efficacy targets in atopic dermatits

AbbVie has lifted the curtain on data from the second Phase 3 trial investigating the efficacy of Rinvoq (upadacitinib) monotherapy in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescent patients eligible for systemic therapy, after the drug nailed its primary and secondary endpoints.

The drug was aiming to elicit a 75% improvement from baseline in patients on the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI 75), as well as a validated Investigator's Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (vIGA-AD) score of 0/1 (clear or almost clear) after 16 weeks of treatment. These were the study’s two primary goals.

AbbVie’s data revealed that 60% and 73% of participants receiving either the 15mg or 30mg dose of Rinvoq respectively achieved EASI75 compared to just 13% with placebo, while 39% and 52% in the upadacitinib group achieved vIGA-AD 0/1 versus 5% of placebo patients. These reductions were experienced just one day after treatment and were maintained through 16 weeks.

Furthermore, both Rinvoq dosage groups reported “clinically meaningful” reductions in itching, with 42% and 60% of the 15mg and 30mg doses respectively achieving an improvement of at least 4 on the Worst Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale, compared to 9% in the placebo group.

"Atopic dermatitis is more than a rash or itchy skin. Many people living with moderate to severe forms continue to suffer from significant physical and emotional burden of the disease," commented Dr Alan Irvine, Chief Investigator on the study and Professor of dermatology at Trinity College Dublin. "These data support our continued efforts to provide additional options for those living with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis."

AbbVie confirmed that a future medical meeting would host a full reveal of the data from the trial.

Matt Fellows