Werner syndrome results from biallelic mutations in the WRN gene on chromosome 8, leading to accelerated aging symptoms. Researchers at Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd. have reported the development and characterization of WRN-108, a splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) designed to induce exon 27 skipping in WRN transcripts carrying the c.3139-1G>C mutation.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder associated with increased oxidative stress. In this context, pharmacological activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, a key regulator of antioxidant and cytoprotective gene expression, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to re-establish redox homeostasis and reduce inflammation in AD. Researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology reported the design and preclinical characterization of a novel Nrf2 activator in models of AD.
Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s monoclonal antibody, rademikibart (CBP-201), met the primary endpoint in a Chinese phase III study in adults and adolescents with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
Infinimmune Inc. has recently presented results at the annual American Academy of Dermatology conference regarding their anti-IL-22 antibody IFX-101 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Dysregulated type 2 immune responses are central in atopic dermatitis (AD) pathophysiology. Key cytokine IL-13 drives epidermal barrier dysfunction and inflammation, while IL-31 mediates pruritus via activation of sensory neurons. Both represent clinically validated, complementary targets addressing both inflammation and itch in AD.
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by dysregulated T-cell-mediated immune responses and suboptimal outcomes with current therapies. Increased expression of OX40 and OX40L in lesional HS skin suggests a contributory role for this pathway in disease-associated inflammation.
Data presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting have put the spotlight on the arrival of target-selective oral therapies that are set to challenge injected biologics in terms of efficacy, while offering greater convenience and improving access to treatment.
Biolojic Design Ltd. has earned an additional milestone payment from its collaboration partner, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., for TEV‘325 (TEV-56308, formerly BD-9), a multibody targeting IL-13 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) for autoimmune disease
Kintor Pharmaceutical Ltd.’s topical androgen receptor antagonist, pyrilutamide (KX-826), met the primary endpoint in a pivotal phase III trial in male androgenetic alopecia, and the company will soon file an NDA with China’s National Medical Products Administration.
In a competitive and still-needy space where Apogee Therapeutics Inc. CEO Michael Henderson noted that “even modestly differentiated products are quickly becoming blockbusters,” his firm’s IL-13 antibody zumilokibart (zumi, APG-777) has turned up satisfying phase II data in part A of the phase II atopic dermatitis (AD) experiment called Apex in moderate to severe disease. “We’re still digesting the data,” Henderson added, pointing out that the results proved better than Apogee expected at both time intervals tested.