Shares double as midstage study shows promising efficacy and safety for autoimmune treatment
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) saw its shares double in early trading Tuesday after the biotech firm announced encouraging results from a midstage clinical trial of its experimental eczema treatment, rezpegaldesleukin.
The global Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD study evaluated 393 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema. According to the company, the drug met its efficacy targets after just three subcutaneous doses administered over a 16-week period.
“These data from REZOLVE-AD show a fast onset of both EASI response and itch relief within the first few doses,” said Dr. Jonathan Silverberg, professor of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He emphasized that the drug avoided certain side effects common with other treatments, such as conjunctivitis, oral herpes, or ulcers—potentially giving it a safety advantage in the crowded eczema treatment market.
The treatment works by targeting regulatory T cells, or Tregs, a type of immune cell that helps modulate inflammation and maintain immune balance. Nektar CEO Howard W. Robin highlighted the broader implications of the study: “The results show the promise of Tregs as an important potential therapeutic modality to treat inflammatory skin disorders and other autoimmune conditions.”
The news marks a major milestone for Nektar, which has faced a series of challenges in recent years. The positive data not only signal a possible breakthrough in eczema care but could also reinvigorate investor confidence in the company’s broader Treg-based pipeline.
With a strong safety profile and rapid symptom relief, rezpegaldesleukin could emerge as a viable competitor in the growing market for eczema and autoimmune therapies—positioning Nektar for a potential comeback.
You might like this article:Wall Street’s Top Research Upgrades: Lyft, EA, Exelixis, Broadcom, MakeMyTrip
