ZUG, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Galderma today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has adopted a positive opinion and recommended granting the marketing authorization of nemolizumab for the treatment of both atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis in the European Union (EU). The CHMP has recommended nemolizumab’s approval for subcutaneous use for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in patients aged 12 years and older 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. This follows its approval for the treatment of adults with prurigo nodularis by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2024.14

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, and flaring inflammatory skin disease which affects approximately 10 to 40 million people in the EU, with up to 66% of adults suffering with a moderate-to-severe form of the condition.1-4,15 Often reported as one of patients’ most problematic symptoms, 87% of people with atopic dermatitis say they are seeking freedom from itch, with speed of itch relief therefore also prioritized by both patients and physicians.16-19 Atopic dermatitis is also a highly heterogenous disease and can be associated with several comorbid conditions, namely mental health disorders and other autoimmune- or immune-mediated diseases.20,21

Prurigo nodularis is a serious skin condition characterized by several debilitating symptoms, including chronic itch, skin nodules covering large body areas, and poor sleep quality.5-7,10 The condition is underrecognized and underdiagnosed, and its prevalence is not well-documented, but it is estimated to affect between 7-111 people per 100,000 in the EU depending on the country.8,9,12

Given the significant burden these serious diseases place on patients, their families, and caregivers, there is a need for alternative treatment options that may effectively relieve the signs and symptoms.22,23

This positive CHMP opinion is based on robust results from the phase III ARCADIA and OLYMPIA clinical trial programs in atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis, respectively.

The phase III ARCADIA 1 and 2 trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab in 1,728 adolescent and adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Results demonstrated that patients treated with nemolizumab, administered subcutaneously every four weeks in combination with background topical corticosteroids (TCS), with or without topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), showed statistically significant improvements in co-primary and key secondary endpoints, when compared to placebo in combination with TCS, with or without TCI, after 16 weeks of treatment, with significant itch relief observed as early as Week 1.24

The phase III OLYMPIA 1 and 2 trials evaluated the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab administered subcutaneously every four weeks in more than 500 patients with prurigo nodularis. The trials met both their primary and key secondary endpoints, demonstrating that treatment with nemolizumab resulted in significant and clinically meaningful improvements in itch and skin nodules at Week 16, with rapid reductions in itch observed as early as Week 4.25,26

Nemolizumab was well tolerated in both trials, and its safety profile was generally consistent with earlier data, and between trials.24-26

The positive CHMP opinion will now be sent to the European Commission for the adoption of a decision on an EU-wide marketing authorization. If approved, nemolizumab would be the first monoclonal antibody treatment available for patients in the EU that specifically targets IL-31 receptor alpha, inhibiting the signaling of IL-31.2 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.11-13

This positive opinion from the CHMP follows the U.S. FDA’s approval of nemolizumab (marketed as Nemluvio®) as a pre-filled pen for subcutaneous injection for the treatment of adults with prurigo nodularis in August 2024.14 The U.S. FDA’s review of Galderma’s Biologics License Application for nemolizumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is currently ongoing, with a decision anticipated soon. Galderma also has marketing authorization applications for nemolizumab in both atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis under review by multiple additional regulatory authorities, including via the Access Consortium framework in countries such as Australia, Singapore, and Switzerland, as well as in Canada, Brazil, and South Korea. Further submissions to other regulatory authorities will continue throughout the coming months.

Media can find more information about atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis here.

About nemolizumab

Nemolizumab was initially developed by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. In 2016, Galderma obtained exclusive rights to the development and marketing of nemolizumab worldwide, except in Japan and Taiwan. In Japan, nemolizumab is marketed as Mitchga® and is approved for the treatment of prurigo nodularis, as well as pruritus associated with atopic dermatitis in pediatric, adolescent, and adult patients.27,28

About the OLYMPIA clinical trial program25,26,29,30

The OLYMPIA program included two identically designed, pivotal phase III clinical trials which enrolled 560 patients – OLYMPIA 1 and OLYMPIA 2. This is the largest clinical trial program conducted in prurigo nodularis to date, and the only program to include a long-term extension study.

These global, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trials assessed the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab monotherapy compared with placebo in patients at least 18 years of age with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis over a 16- or 24-week treatment period for OLYMPIA 2 and OLYMPIA 1, respectively.

About prurigo nodularis

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic, debilitating, and distinct neuroimmune skin disease characterized by the presence of intense itch and thick skin nodules covering large body areas.6 The majority of patients report that the persistent itch negatively impacts their quality of life.31 Furthermore, the intense itch associated with prurigo nodularis results in significant sleep disturbance and further contributes to reduced quality of life.10,32

About the ARCADIA clinical trial program24,33,34

The ARCADIA program included two identically designed, pivotal phase III clinical trials, which enrolled more than 1,700 patients – ARCADIA 1 and ARCADIA 2.

These global, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trials, evaluated the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab administered subcutaneously every four weeks compared to placebo (both administered with background topical corticosteroids with or without topical calcineurin inhibitors).

The trials were conducted in adolescent and adult patients (12 years and over) with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis for an initial treatment phase of 16 weeks. Patients who responded to treatment (defined as patients who achieved an investigator’s global assessment score of clear (0) or almost clear (1), or a 75% or greater improvement in the eczema area and severity index score) were then re-randomized to a maintenance treatment phase for up to 48 weeks.

About atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a common, chronic, and flaring inflammatory skin disease, characterized by persistent itch and recurrent skin lesions.1-3 It is the most common inflammatory skin disease, impacting almost four times more people than psoriasis.2,3,35 While currently available treatments may improve some signs and symptoms of the disease, many patients do not respond optimally to approved therapies and do not experience itch relief and clear skin to the same degree.2,13,23,36

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:

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2. 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
3. Ständer S. Atopic dermatitis. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(12):1136-1143. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2023911
4. Luger, T, et al. Clinical and Humanistic Burden of Atopic Dermatitis in Europe: Analyses of the National Health and Wellness Survey. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 12, 949–969 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-022-00700-6
5. Huang AH, et al. Prurigo nodularis: epidemiology and clinical features. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83(6):1559-1565. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.183
6. Pereira MP, et al. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology European prurigo project: expert consensus on the definition, classification and terminology of chronic prurigo. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(7):1059-1065. doi:10.1111/jdv.14570
7. Ständer S, et al. IFSI-guideline on chronic prurigo including prurigo nodularis. Itch. 2020;5(4):e42. doi:10.1097/itx.0000000000000042
8. Ryczek A, et al. Prevalence of Prurigo Nodularis in Poland. Acta Derm Venereol. 100: adv00155 (2020).
9. Ständer, S, et al. Epidemiology of Prurigo Nodularis compared with Psoriasis in Germany: A Claims Database Analysis. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 100(18), 1–6 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-3655
10. Joel MZ, et al. Risk of itch-induced sleep deprivation and subsequent mental health comorbidities in patients with prurigo nodularis: A population-level analysis using the Health Improvement Network. E-poster presented at EADV 2023. Abstract available online
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. NEMLUVIO (nemolizumab-ilto) injection 30 mg Prescribing Information. Dallas, TX: Galderma Laboratories, L.P.; August 2024
15. Oisín S, et al. 545 - Prevalence of moderate and severe atopic dermatitis in Ireland: a cross-sectional, real-world study of a secondary care population., BJD. 2024;190(S2): ii43–ii44. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljad498.045
16. Silverberg JI, et al. Patient burden and quality of life in atopic dermatitis in US adults: a population-based cross-sectional study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018;121(3):340-347. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2018.07.006
17. Penton H, et al. Assessing Response in Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review of the Psychometric Performance of Measures Used in HTAs and Clinical Trials. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023;13(11):2549-2571. doi: 10.1007/s13555-023-01038-3
18. 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.
19. Durno, N, et al. Biologics and oral systemic treatment preferences in patients and physicians for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: a discrete choice experiment in the United Kingdom and Germany. J Dermatol Treat. 2024; 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2024.2417966
20. Avena-Woods C. Overview of atopic dermatitis. Am J Manag Care. 2017;23(8 suppl):S115-S123. PMID:28978208
21. Hahn EL, Bacharier LB. The atopic march: the pattern of allergic disease development in childhood. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005;25(2):231-46v doi:10.1016/j.iac.2005.02.004
22. 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.org/10.37765/ajmc.2023.89366
23. Lobefaro F, et al. Atopic Dermatitis: Clinical Aspects and Unmet Needs. Biomedicines. 2022;10: 2927. doi:10.3390/biomedicines10112927
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27. Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Maruho Obtained Regulatory Approval for Mitchga, the first Antibody Targeting IL-31 for Itching Associated with Atopic Dermatitis. Available online. Accessed December 2024
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31. Todberg T, et al. Treatment and burden of disease in a cohort of patients with prurigo nodularis: a survey-based study. Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(8): adv00119. doi:10.2340/00015555-3471
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Contacts

For further information:
Christian Marcoux, M.Sc.
Chief Communications Officer
christian.marcoux@galderma.com
+41 76 315 26 50

Emil Ivanov
Head of Strategy, Investor Relations, and ESG
emil.ivanov@galderma.com
+41 21 642 78 12

Sébastien Cros
Corporate Communications Director
sebastien.cros@galderma.com
+41 79 529 59 85

Jessica Cohen
Investor Relations and Strategy Director
jessica.cohen@galderma.com
+41 21 642 76 43