Arcutis Canada, a subsidiary of Arcutis Biotherapeutics, has received approval from Health Canada for ZORYVE (roflumilast) topical foam 0.3% for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in patients aged nine years and older. This marks the second international approval for ZORYVE and introduces a new treatment option for the over two million Canadians affected by this chronic skin condition.
The approval is based on data from the pivotal Phase III STRATUM study, along with results from a Phase II long-term open-label extension trial and a Phase I pharmacokinetic clinical trial. The STRATUM trial demonstrated that 80% of patients achieved treatment success by week eight using ZORYVE foam. Some patients experienced disease clearance as early as week two.
The ZORYVE foam formulation is designed to deliver the medication effectively while being gentle on the skin barrier, providing significant itch relief within 48 hours. This approval marks the first topical medication with a novel mechanism of action for seborrheic dermatitis approved in Canada in over two decades.
Impact of ZORYVE Foam
Frank Watanabe, president and CEO of Arcutis, stated that ZORYVE foam has had a meaningful impact on individuals living with seborrheic dermatitis since its launch in the United States. He also noted the rapid adoption by clinicians and patients, and expressed pride in bringing this safe, effective, and well-tolerated steroid-free foam to Canada, addressing a long-standing lack of innovation in seborrheic dermatitis treatment.
Roflumilast: A Novel Approach
Roflumilast, the active ingredient in ZORYVE, is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4), an enzyme known to modulate inflammatory responses in the skin. Arcutis has developed both cream and foam formulations of roflumilast to address various dermatologic conditions.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously approved ZORYVE foam 0.3% for seborrheic dermatitis in December 2023. Additionally, the FDA approved ZORYVE cream for atopic dermatitis in July 2024.
