GALDERMA
18.3.2023 16:01:29 CET | Business Wire | Press release
Galderma, the leading company solely dedicated to advancing the future of dermatology, today premiered the positive phase III results from the OLYMPIA 2 trial evaluating the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of nemolizumab compared with placebo in adult patients with prurigo nodularis. The results were presented as a late-breaking presentation at the 2023 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting by Dr. Shawn Kwatra, Associate Professor of Dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Galderma has an extensive presence at the meeting with further updates from its broad portfolio across Therapeutic Dermatology, Dermatological Skincare and Injectable Aesthetics.
The phase III OLYMPIA 2 trial met all primary endpoints, showing nemolizumab monotherapy significantly improved pruritus (itch) and skin lesions compared with placebo in adult patients with moderate to severe prurigo nodularis. Results showed that:
- 56 percent of nemolizumab-treated patients achieved a response in itch intensity, as defined by an at least 4-point improvement in peak-pruritus numerical rating scale (PP-NRS) score, compared to 21 percent in the placebo group (p<0.0001)
- 38 percent of nemolizumab-treated patients reached treatment success in skin lesions, as defined by an investigator’s global assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1, compared to 11 percent in the placebo group (p<0.0001)
Key secondary endpoints showed rapid onset of action and significant improvements in itch and sleep disturbance (p<0.0001) as early as week 4:
- Over five times as many patients in the nemolizumab group vs placebo achieved significant and clinically meaningful improvement in itch intensity, as defined by a 4-point improvement in PP-NRS - (41.0% for nemolizumab vs 7.7% for placebo p<0.0001)
- Nearly four times as many patients in the nemolizumab group versus placebo achieved significant and clinically meaningful improvement in sleep disturbance as measured by a 4-point improvement in sleep disturbance numerical rating scale (SD-NRS) - (37.2% for nemolizumab vs 9.9% for placebo p<0.0001)
- The safety profile was consistent with the phase II trial results
“OLYMPIA 2 is a key piece of the largest phase III clinical development program ever undertaken in prurigo nodularis to date. On behalf of my co-investigators worldwide, I am honored and proud to present the study results to the scientific community in a late-breaking presentation. The results confirm the potential of this every four weeks injectable monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-31 receptor alpha, with rapidly acting effects on itch and sleep disturbance, and subsequent improvement of skin lesions.”
SHAWN KWATRA, M.D.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF DERMATOLOGY
JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
Further commitment to diversity in dermatology announced
Also at the congress, Galderma shared an exciting update on the sponsorship of the Atlas initiative, in a highly anticipated booth session focused on Diversity and Inclusion in Dermatology. The unique educational session explored how to diagnose dermatologic conditions in an array of skin tones, leveraging the renowned book and online gallery ‘Full Spectrum of Dermatology: A Diverse and Inclusive Atlas’, from the George Washington University School of Medicine. The event took place on Friday, March 17 and was hosted by editors of the Atlas, Dr. Adam Friedman and Dr. Misty Eleryan. As part of the Galderma sponsorship, copies of the Atlas book are being distributed throughout the AAD congress. Galderma is also proud to be providing an additional financial grant to pilot a pathway for other healthcare professionals to contribute to the online gallery.
“We are so pleased that we’re able to bring so much powerful new data to this year’s AAD congress. The data premiere from OLYMPIA 2 confirms the potential that nemolizumab is expected to improve outcomes for people with prurigo nodularis, which can have such a profound impact on the lives of those affected. Beyond this, our continued involvement and investment in the Atlas program demonstrates our commitment to address every skin need, with diversity and inclusion at the very heart of that promise.”
BALDO SCASSELLATI SFORZOLINI, M.D., Ph.D.
GLOBAL HEAD OF R&D
GALDERMA
Extensive updates from Galderma’s broad and innovative portfolio through posters and presentation sessions
Galderma is the only pure-play dermatology category leader, with more than 40 years of heritage in dermatology. Its continued commitment to delivering science and innovation across a highly differentiated portfolio is reflected in its extensive presence at AAD. More details on Galderma’s scientific poster presentations can be found here.
About the OLYMPIA 2 trial
OLYMPIA 2 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial, to assess the efficacy and safety of nemolizumab monotherapy compared with placebo in patients at least 18 years of age with prurigo nodularis after a 16-week treatment period. The trial also assessed pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of nemolizumab compared to placebo. OLYMPIA 2 included 274 patients with moderate-to-severe prurigo nodularis.
About prurigo nodularis
Prurigo nodularis is a debilitating, chronic skin condition with thick skin nodules covering large body areas and associated intense itch.1,2,3 Prurigo nodularis affects an estimated 72 per 100,000 adults aged 18-64 years in the United States, primarily middle-aged women and disproportionately people of African descent.1,4
About nemolizumab
Nemolizumab is an investigational drug and Galderma has not received approval for any indication in any country. Nemolizumab is a first-in-class investigational monoclonal antibody directed against the IL-31 receptor alpha that blocks signaling from IL-31. IL-31 is a neuroimmune cytokine that is recognized as driving multiple disease mechanisms in both prurigo nodularis and atopic dermatitis. With its unique role in directly stimulating sensory neurons related to itch and contributing to inflammation and barrier dysfunction, IL-31 is the bridge between the immune and nervous systems while also directly acting on structural cells in the skin. Nemolizumab was granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2019 for the treatment of pruritus associated with prurigo nodularis, a status reconfirmed in February 2023.
About Galderma
Galderma 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’re in shapes our lives, we are advancing dermatology for every skin story. Galderma’s portfolio of flagship brands includes Restylane®, Dysport®, Azzalure®, Alluzience® and Sculptra® in Injectable Aesthetics; Soolantra®, Epiduo®, Differin®, Aklief®, Epsolay®, Twyneo®, Oracea®, Metvix®, Benzac® and Loceryl® in Therapeutic Dermatology; and Cetaphil® and Alastin® in Dermo-cosmetics. For more information, visit www.galderma.com.
References:
1 Williams KA, Roh YS, Brown I, et al. Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and pharmacological treatment of prurigo nodularis. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2021;14(1):67-77. doi:10.1080/17512433.2021.1852080
2 Elmariah S, Kim B, Berger T, et al. Practical approaches for diagnosis and management of prurigo nodularis: United States expert panel consensus. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(3):747-760. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.07.025
3 Whang KA, Mahadevan V, Bakhshi PR, et al. Prevalence of prurigo nodularis in the United States. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020;8(9):3240-3241. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2020.05.051
4 Huang AH, Canner JK, Khanna R, Kang S, Kwatra SG. Real-world prevalence of prurigo nodularis and burden of associated diseases. J Invest Dermatol. 2020;140(2):480-483.e4. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2019.07.697
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230318005017/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Kubota Vision Inc. Signs Supply and Licensing Agreement with Laboratoires KÔL for Stargardt Disease Treatment Candidate Under Compassionate Use4.5.2026 17:16:00 CEST | Press release
Kubota Vision Inc. (“Kubota Vision”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan) announced signing of a Supply and Licensing Agreement with Laboratoires KÔL (Clermont-Ferrand, France) for the provision of a Stargardt disease (STGD1) treatment candidate under compassionate use authorization. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260414590785/en/ The purpose of this Agreement is for Kubota Vision and KÔL to collaborate on providing “Emixustat” for treatment of Stargardt Disease (STGD1) through compassionate use authorization in France. Kubota Vision will exclusively manufacture and supply Emixustat final products to KÔL and KÔL will have exclusive rights to distribute Emixustat in France under compassionate use access. Ryo Kubota, Chairman, President, and CEO of Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings, stated, “We are extremely pleased to enter into this Agreement with Labor
Incentive Market Set to Surpass $80B by 2030s — IMA Launches Tools to Help the Industry Keep Pace4.5.2026 16:28:00 CEST | Press release
With combined business spend on loyalty, employee recognition, and channel incentives projected to exceed $80 billion by the 2030s, the incentive industry is entering a period of rapid scale and strategic pressure. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260422729016/en/ In response, the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA) launched a new suite of resources designed to help incentive professionals navigate an environment that’s becoming more specialized, fragmented, and central to business performance. “It’s not just more money coming in—it’s more complexity,” said Vince Chiofolo, President of the Incentive & Engagement Solution Providers (IESP). “Buyers are demanding programs that evolve fast, integrate deeply, and feel personal at scale. These new tools were built for that.” IMA’s Suite of Tools Includes: New Industry Report — Inside the Incentive Buyer’s Mind Drawn from insights of 50+ program owners, the report f
Tigo Energy Breaks Global Growth Benchmark; Boosts U.S. Energy Feature in Predict+4.5.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
Advanced energy prediction platform adds real-time energy pricing for North American Independent System Operator (ISO) customers, accelerates meters-connected growth. Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: TYGO) (“Tigo” or “Company”), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy solutions, today announced that the Predict+ platform now offers integrated real-time spot market pricing for ISO customers in the United States. Predict+ provides utilities with deep insights into grid demand, renewable generation, and energy market dynamics, enhancing the precision, scalability, and robustness of energy forecasting to up to 97.5% accuracy through machine learning and artificial intelligence. For energy providers, Predict+ helps streamline operations, reduce volatility, and maximize performance. Predict+ empowers utility operators to adapt to real-world demand challenges when balancing renewable and baseload generation sources, particularly during extreme weather events and market disruptions. On th
Airship Announces 2026 Elevate Customer Experience Award Winners4.5.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
Southwest Airlines, The Economist, and OneFootball among brands recognized at Elevate’26 Customer Experience Summit for setting the standard in mobile-first and AI-centered customer experiences Airship, the mobile-first customer experience company, today announced the winners of the 2026 Elevate Customer Experience Awards. Global brand leaders from The Economist, Southwest Airlines, and OneFootball were among those honored at the Elevate’26 Customer Experience Summit. The Elevate Awards spotlight global companies that have developed exceptional mobile-first customer experiences for their customers, created innovative campaigns, leveraged AI agents to reach new levels of productivity, and achieved real business results. "Evolving mobile-first consumer behaviors and unprecedented advancements in AI are driving a seismic shift that is reshaping how brands interact with their customers," said Brett Caine, CEO, Airship. "The 2026 Elevate Award winners aren’t just adapting, they’re leading t
Alnylam to Present New Analyses at Heart Failure 2026 Underscoring Consistent Clinical Profile of Vutrisiran in ATTR-CM4.5.2026 14:30:00 CEST | Press release
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALNY), the leading RNAi therapeutics company, today announced it will present new data analyses for vutrisiran in patients with the cardiomyopathy of wild-type or hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) at Heart Failure 2026, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology, taking place May 9-12, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. ATTR-CM is a heterogeneous and rapidly progressive disease, and patients often present with complex clinical profiles. At Heart Failure 2026, Alnylam will present multiple new analyses from the Phase 3 HELIOS-B study of vutrisiran, which continue to support its use as a first-line treatment for patients with ATTR-CM, and further characterize its clinical profile across patients with a high disease burden, and in the context of concomitant therapies. Vutrisiran is the first and only transthyretin (TTR) silencer for ATTR-CM that delivers rapid knockdown of TTR at the source. Additional analyses being pr
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom
