Pfizer’s Abrocitinib Quick Off The Mark In Atopic Dermatitis

Pfizer Inc.’s next-generation oral JAK1 inhibitor, abrocitinib, is likely to be a strong competitor to Sanofi/Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Dupixent (dupilumab) for treating atopic dermatitis, judging by top-line results from a third Phase III study which showed a higher dose of abrocitinb was significantly superior to the interleukin-4/IL-13 inhibitor, dupilumab, in reducing itch after the first two weeks of therapy.

Having a quicker effect on symptoms could be an important differentiator for abrocitinib in its likely marketing battle with the entrenched dupilimab, which has established a leading position in the...