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Investing.com -- Aclaris Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ:ACRS) stock surged 20% in after-hours trading following the announcement of positive top-line results from its Phase 2a trial of ATI-2138 in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company reported that the trial met its objectives, demonstrating a favorable tolerability profile and clinically meaningful improvements in disease severity measures. The study involved 14 patients who received low doses of ATI-2138, a selective oral inhibitor targeting interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) and Janus kinase 3 (JAK3).
Results showed improvements in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and the percentage of patients experiencing reduced itch severity as measured by the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale. The company highlighted that these efficacy results at low doses were comparable to those seen with approved JAK and IL-4/13 inhibitors, but with potentially improved tolerability.
"These Phase 2a trial results represent a significant achievement for our ITK franchise by confirming the mechanism and corroborating our work on next-generation ITK selective compounds," said Dr. Neal Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Aclaris.
The pharmacodynamic results validated ITK as a therapeutic target, showing strong downregulation of key inflammatory markers. Based on these findings, Aclaris plans to further develop ATI-2138 for alopecia areata while exploring additional indications relevant to the drug’s mechanism of action.
Dr. Emma Guttman from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai noted the trial’s compelling pharmacodynamic results, particularly the anti-inflammatory activity observed and the potential of ITK as a therapeutic target.
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