Sanofi and Regeneron commence new study of atopic dermatitis therapy

Sanofi has announced the commencement of a new phase III study of dupilumab, a new atopic dermatitis therapy developed in collaboration with Regeneron.

The first patients have now been dosed in the LIBERTY AD CHRONOS study, which will assess the investigational therapy in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that is not adequately controlled with topical medications.

It aims to demonstrate the efficacy of dupilumab when administered concomitantly with topical corticosteroids for up to 16 weeks, with secondary objectives of the study evaluating the long-term performance of the drug up to 52 weeks.

This is the first trial to commence in the wider LIBERTY AD phase III clinical programme, which will consist of at least five trials in total.

Dr Donald Leung, a head of the division of paediatric allergy and immunology at National Jewish Health, said: "Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is a serious disease characterised by severe itching, sleep disturbances and widespread rash, and existing treatment options have limited efficacy."

This comes after Sanofi subsidiary Sanofi Pasteur announced the commencement of a new clinical study of a rotavirus vaccine in India earlier this month.