AbbVie’s zumilokibart meets phase 2 atopic dermatitis endpoint

AbbVie's investigational drug zumilokibart has demonstrated effectiveness in a Phase 2 study for adults suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, according to a press release. The APEX Part B study included 346 participants, who were randomized to receive low-, mid-, or high-dose zumilokibart treatments or a placebo during a 16-week period.

Across all three dose levels, the drug showed statistically significant improvements compared to placebo, measured by the proportion of participants achieving at least 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) by Week 16. The mid- and high-dose regimens showed more substantial improvements than placebo in secondary endpoints, such as near-complete or complete skin clearance (EASI 90/100) and reduced itch (I-NRS4).

The mid-dose regimen was selected for further Phase 3 development. Common side effects, observed in at least 5% of treatment groups, included nasopharyngitis, headache, conjunctivitis, upper respiratory tract infection, atopic dermatitis, and urinary tract infection. Zumilokibart, a half-life extended monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-13 (IL-13), has a half-life of approximately 77 days in humans.

However, the drug is still in investigational stages and has not received approval from regulatory authorities. The results were presented at the 2026 Annual European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Vienna as a late-breaker. This article was AI-generated and reviewed by an editor.