Leo Pharma Survey Reveals Frustration with Current Chronic Hand Eczema Treatments as FDA Decision on Anzupgo Looms

A recent survey commissioned by Leo Pharma has shed light on the challenges faced by dermatology providers in treating chronic hand eczema (CHE), highlighting the unmet need for targeted therapies as the company awaits an FDA decision on its potential first-in-class treatment, Anzupgo.

Dermatologists Express Dissatisfaction with Current CHE Management

The Ipsos-conducted survey, which queried nearly 200 dermatology professionals, revealed significant frustration with existing treatment options for moderate to severe CHE. Over half of the respondents agreed that current treatments for atopic dermatitis do not adequately address the specific needs of CHE patients.

Key findings from the survey include:

• Approximately two-thirds of clinicians find CHE more frustrating to manage than other chronic skin conditions.
• The majority of CHE patients require three to four separate medications to manage their condition.
• A quarter of healthcare providers reported significant issues with patient adherence to treatment regimens.
• More than 60% of respondents noted that moderate to severe CHE patients require three to four office visits per year, with 27% reporting up to five or six annual visits.

Anzupgo: A Potential Game-Changer for CHE Treatment

As the pharmaceutical industry eagerly anticipates the FDA's decision on Anzupgo, Leo Pharma's delgocitinib cream, in the second half of 2025, the survey results underscore the potential impact of a CHE-specific treatment. If approved, Anzupgo would become the first therapeutic specifically indicated for CHE in the United States.

The topical JAK inhibitor has already received approval in Europe, where it is marketed under the brand name Anzupgo. The FDA accepted Leo Pharma's application for the treatment of adults with CHE in September of the previous year.

Raising Awareness and Improving Education

The survey also revealed a significant knowledge gap, with 65% of dermatologists citing a lack of education around CHE as a distinct condition from atopic dermatitis. In response, Leo Pharma has launched initiatives to improve awareness and understanding of CHE among healthcare providers:

1. A planned symposium ahead of the American Academy of Dermatology's annual meeting.
2. The "Talk to the Hand" unbranded healthcare provider-focused campaign, featuring educational resources on CHE symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments.

Robert Spurr, Leo Pharma's president of the North America region, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating, "It's only through better understanding of this complex disease that we can help improve the standard of care in medical dermatology and ultimately improve patients' quality of life."

As the pharmaceutical industry watches for the FDA's decision on Anzupgo, the survey results highlight the significant potential for targeted CHE treatments to address an unmet need affecting an estimated 16 million people in the United States alone.