Key insights
- Nektar Therapeutics shares surged 20% following positive Phase 2b trial data for its alopecia areata drug, rezpegaldesleukin. The study showed statistically significant improvements in SALT scores compared to placebo. While positive for NKTR, the impact on the broader US equity market is minimal.
Investing.com -- Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ:NKTR) shares rose 20% after the company reported positive 52-week data from its Phase 2b REZOLVE-AA study evaluating rezpegaldesleukin in patients with severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata.
The clinical-stage biotechnology company announced that 29% and 31% of patients in the 18 µg/kg and 24 µg/kg extension arms, respectively, achieved new SALT Score ≤20 from week 36 to week 52 with continued twice-monthly treatment. A SALT Score ≤20 indicates that a patient has 80% or more of their scalp covered by hair.
At week 52 for the overall study population, patients who achieved SALT Score ≤20 were 25.8% in the low dose rezpegaldesleukin arm and 27.6% in the high dose arm compared to 6.7% with placebo, with a p-value of 0.049.
The study enrolled 92 patients with severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata. Following completion of the initial 36-week induction phase, 31 patients continued into a blinded 16-week treatment extension period through week 52.
Rezpegaldesleukin is a first-in-class IL-2 pathway agonist and regulatory T-cell biologic. The company said 94% of patients completed the treatment extension, and the favorable safety profile with twice-monthly dosing was maintained throughout 52 weeks.
At week 52, patients who achieved SALT Score ≤30 were 30.2% in the low dose arm and 35.0% in the high dose arm compared to 8.4% with placebo, with a p-value of 0.023. A SALT Score ≤30 is achieved when a patient has 70% or more of their scalp covered by hair.
Nektar said the results support advancement of rezpegaldesleukin into late-stage development in alopecia areata. The company plans to submit the REZOLVE-AA results for presentation at a medical conference in 2026.
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