Eli Lilly and Company has received FDA approval for EBGLYSS (lebrikizumab-lbkz) to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older whose disease has not been adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.
EBGLYSS is an injectable interleukin-13 (IL-13) inhibitor designed to target a key cytokine involved in eczema inflammation. The treatment regimen begins with an initial dose of 500mg at week 0 and week 2, followed by a 250mg dose every two weeks until week 16. After week 16, a single monthly maintenance injection may be administered, contingent upon achieving a satisfactory clinical response.
The FDA's decision was influenced by data from three clinical trials: ADvocate 1, ADvocate 2, and ADhere. These trials involved over 1,000 adult and pediatric subjects with moderate-to-severe eczema. The trials assessed the efficacy of EBGLYSS in achieving clear or almost clear skin after 16 weeks of treatment.
Clinical Efficacy
The ADvocate 1 and ADvocate 2 trials evaluated EBGLYSS as a monotherapy, while the ADhere trial assessed EBGLYSS in combination with topical corticosteroids. The primary endpoint in all three trials was the proportion of patients achieving an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear skin) with at least a 2-point improvement, as well as the proportion of patients achieving at least a 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI 75) score.
Expert Commentary
Lilly Immunology president and Lilly Research Laboratories chief scientific officer and president Daniel Skovronsky stated, "People living with eczema have symptoms that can appear at the most inopportune times, creating unpredictability and impacting their everyday lives. Today’s approval allows people the opportunity to re-imagine life with eczema, as EBGLYSS offers a targeted approach to reduce a main cause of eczema inflammation. EBGLYSS provides long-lasting symptom relief with a convenient once-monthly maintenance dose."
Market Launch and Patient Support
Lilly is preparing to launch EBGLYSS in the US market and is working with stakeholders to ensure patient access to the medication. Lilly Support Services for EBGLYSS will provide a patient support program, including co-pay assistance for eligible patients.
Global Expansion
Following its approval in the European Union in 2023 and Japan in January 2024, EBGLYSS is set to expand into additional markets towards the end of 2024. While Lilly has exclusive rights for its global development and commercialization outside Europe, its partner Almirall is licensed to commercialize the treatment for dermatological conditions, including eczema, in Europe.
