Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) announced today the expansion of its Moments of Clarityprogram, an educational initiative highlighting stories of people living with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) and their paths to finding relief. Building on last year’s program launch in partnership with Mandy Moore, the Moments of Clarity program will now feature several additional real-life patient perspectives, including that of Dr. Sandra Lee and Emily, a mom of three, who share their emotional experiences and the impact AD has had on their lives.
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Dr. Sandra Lee partners with Incyte on Moments of Clarity program to encourage those with eczema to see a healthcare provider about treatment (Photo: Business Wire)
In the new program content, each patient shares defining moments throughout their journeys including how they finally found relief with Opzelura® (ruxolitinib) cream 1.5%. Opzelura is a nonsteroidal, twice-daily cream that is indicated for the short-term and non-continuous treatment of mild to moderate eczema in certain people 12 and older whose disease is not well-controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not recommended. Use of Opzelura in combination with biologics, other JAK inhibitors or potent immunosuppressants is not recommended.
“While many people know me as a dermatologist from my TV show, most probably don’t know that I live with eczema and have struggled with symptoms like persistent itch and skin inflammation throughout my life,” said Dr. Lee. “I started using Opzelura, a non-steroidal topical option, to treat my eczema flares, which helped alleviate some of my worst symptoms like itch. In the pivotal clinical trial for mild to moderate AD, 54% of patients had clear to almost clear skin at 8 weeks and 52% of patients had a significant reduction in their itch, compared to 15% of patients who used a cream that did not contain medication. I partnered with Incyte on their Moments of Clarity program to share my story and to empower others to seek out a treatment that is right for them.”
AD – the most common type of eczema – is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the skin, which can manifest as persistent itch, dry and scaly patches or red lesions on the body1. AD affects more than 21 million people aged 12 years and older in the U.S. Signs and symptoms include irritated and itchy skin that can cause red lesions that may ooze and crust.
“We understand the impact eczema can have on daily life, which furthers the need for patients to find a treatment to address their individual symptoms,” said Matteo Trotta, Executive Vice President, General Manager, U.S. Dermatology,Incyte. “We are proud to elevate the patient voice and share the real, lived experience with Opzelura as part of our commitment to patients and to providing a treatment that can help address some of the most burdensome symptoms of AD. Our hope is that the Moments of Clarity program helps those living with eczema connect with others and inspires them to have conversations with their doctor.” OPZELURA is not for everyone. See below for IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION including boxed Warning for Serious Infections, Increased Risk of Death, Lymphoma and other Cancers, Major Cardiovascular Events and Blood Clots.
To hear more visit MyMomentsofClarity.com.
All individuals were compensated for their participation.
About Opzelura® (ruxolitinib) Cream
Opzelura® (ruxolitinib) cream, a novel cream formulation of Incyte’s selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for the topical treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo in patients 12 years of age and older, is the first and only treatment for repigmentation approved for use in the United States. Opzelura is also approved in the U.S. for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) in non-immunocompromised patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not advisable. Use of Opzelura in combination with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or potent immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine or cyclosporine, is not recommended.
Incyte has worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of ruxolitinib cream, marketed in the United States as Opzelura. In April 2022, Incyte entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Maruho Co., Ltd. for the development, manufacturing and exclusive commercialization of ruxolitinib cream for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory dermatology indications in Japan.
Opzelura is a registered trademark of Incyte.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
OPZELURA is for use on the skin only. Do not use OPZELURA in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.
OPZELURA may cause serious side effects, including:
Serious Infections: OPZELURA contains ruxolitinib. Ruxolitinib belongs to a class of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK inhibitors are medicines that affect your immune system. JAK inhibitors can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have had serious infections while taking JAK inhibitors by mouth, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have been hospitalized or died from these infections. Some people have had serious infections of their lungs while taking OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with OPZELURA.
OPZELURA should not be used in people with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. You should not start using OPZELURA if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. You may be at a higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster) while using OPZELURA.
Increased risk of death due to any reason (all causes): Increased risk of death has happened in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and are taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth.
Cancer and immune system problems: OPZELURA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers have happened in people taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth. People taking JAK inhibitors by mouth have a higher risk of certain cancers including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if they are a current or past smoker. Some people have had skin cancers while using OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment with OPZELURA. Limit the amount of time you spend in the sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Increased risk of major cardiovascular events: Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death have happened in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth, especially in current or past smokers.
Blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) can happen in some people taking OPZELURA. This may be life-threatening. Blood clots in the vein of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened more often in people who are 50 years of age and older and with at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth.
Low blood cell counts: OPZELURA may cause low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), low red blood cell counts (anemia), and low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). If needed, your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood cell counts during your treatment with OPZELURA and may stop your treatment if signs or symptoms of low blood cell counts happen.
Cholesterol increases: Cholesterol increase has happened in people when ruxolitinib is taken by mouth. Tell your healthcare provider if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides.
Before starting OPZELURA, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- have an infection, are being treated for one, or have had an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back
- have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system
- have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB
- have had shingles (herpes zoster)
- have or have had hepatitis B or C
- live, have lived in, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections. These infections may happen or become more severe if you use OPZELURA. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.
- think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as: fever, sweating, or chills, muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath, blood in your phlegm, weight loss, warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate or urinating more often than usual, feeling very tired.
- have ever had any type of cancer, or are a current or past smoker
- have had a heart attack, other heart problems, or a stroke
- have had blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs in the past
- have high cholesterol or triglycerides
- have or have had low white or red blood cell counts
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OPZELURA will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for individuals who use OPZELURA during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become exposed to OPZELURA during pregnancy, you and your healthcare provider should report exposure to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OPZELURA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with OPZELURA and for about 4 weeks after the last dose.
After starting OPZELURA:
- Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. OPZELURA can make you more likely to get infections or make worse any infections that you have.
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Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while using OPZELURA, including:
- discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
- severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
- pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- breaking out in a cold sweat
- nausea or vomiting
- feeling lightheaded
- weakness in one part or on one side of your body
- slurred speech
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with OPZELURA, including: swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening of any symptoms of low blood cell counts, such as: unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or fever.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
The most common side effects of OPZELURA in people treated for atopic dermatitis include: common cold (nasopharyngitis), diarrhea, bronchitis, ear infection, increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) count, hives, inflamed hair pores (folliculitis), swelling of the tonsils (tonsillitis), and runny nose (rhinorrhea).
The most common side effects of OPZELURA in people treated for nonsegmental vitiligo include: acne at the application site, itching at the application site, common cold (nasopharyngitis), headache, urinary tract infection, redness at the application site, and fever.
These are not all of the possible side effects of OPZELURA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
OPZELURA is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) for:
- short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis) in non-immunocompromised adults and children 12 years of age and older whose disease is not well controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not recommended
- the treatment of a type of vitiligo called nonsegmental vitiligo in adults and children 12 years of age and older
The use of OPZELURA along with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or strong immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended.
It is not known if OPZELURA is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis or nonsegmental vitiligo.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for OPZELURA.
About Incyte Dermatology
Incyte’s science-first approach and expertise in immunology has formed the foundation of the company. Today, we are building on this legacy as we discover and develop innovative dermatology treatments to bring solutions to patients in need.
We strive to identify and develop therapies to modulate immune pathways driving uncontrolled inflammation to help restore normal immune function and bring the body closer to homeostasis. Specifically, our efforts in dermatology are focused on a number of immune-mediated dermatologic conditions with a high unmet medical need, including atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichen planus, lichen sclerosus and prurigo nodularis
To learn more, visit the Dermatology section of Incyte.com.
About Incyte
A global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to Solve On., Incyte follows the science to find solutions for patients with unmet medical needs. Through the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics, Incyte has established a portfolio of first-in-class medicines for patients and a strong pipeline of products in Oncology and Inflammation & Autoimmunity. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Incyte has operations in North America, Europe and Asia.
For additional information on Incyte, please visit Incyte.com or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information set forth herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements regarding the partnership between Incyte and Dr. Sandra Lee Incyte’s goal of improving the lives of patients, whether and when Opzelura might provide a successful treatment option for patients with atopic dermatitis, and Incyte’s dermatology program generally, contain predictions, estimates and other forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are based on Incyte’s current expectations and subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including unanticipated developments in and risks related to: unanticipated delays; further research and development and the results of clinical trials possibly being unsuccessful or insufficient to meet applicable regulatory standards or warrant continued development; the ability to enroll sufficient numbers of subjects in clinical trials; determinations made by the FDA and other regulatory authorities outside of the United States; the efficacy or safety of Incyte’s products; the acceptance of Incyte’s products in the marketplace; market competition; sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution requirements; and other risks detailed from time to time in Incyte’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Incyte disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
1 National Eczema Association. What is atopic dermatitis? https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/types-of-eczema/atopic-dermatitis/
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