Apogee's APG777 Shows Promise in Atopic Dermatitis Treatment, Challenging Established Therapies

Apogee Therapeutics has announced positive results from a mid-stage trial of its experimental antibody drug APG777 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, potentially setting the stage for a new competitor in the eczema treatment landscape.

Phase 2 Trial Results Demonstrate Efficacy

The Phase 2 study, which included 123 adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, showed that APG777 significantly reduced disease severity compared to placebo. After 16 weeks of treatment, patients receiving APG777 experienced a 71% reduction in disease severity, as measured by a commonly used scale, compared to a 34% reduction in the placebo group.

Notably, 67% of patients treated with APG777 achieved 75% skin clearance, a result that Stifel analyst Alex Thompson described as "meaningfully better" than current market leaders Dupixent (Sanofi/Regeneron) and Ebglyss (Eli Lilly), which have shown 48-52% and 52-59% clearance rates, respectively.

Potential for Less Frequent Dosing

One of the key advantages of APG777 appears to be its potential for less frequent dosing. The trial evaluated a dosing regimen of 720 mg at the beginning of the study and at week 2, followed by 360 mg doses at weeks 4 and 12. Apogee plans to use data from patients who benefited from the treatment to assess the possibility of three- and six-month maintenance dosing intervals.

"APG777 has the potential to set a new standard of care by offering improved clinical responses with transformational quarterly or better maintenance dosing — benefiting patients, providers, and payers," said Apogee CEO Michael Henderson in a statement.

Safety Profile and Next Steps

The drug demonstrated an acceptable safety profile, with low rates of side effects and treatment discontinuations. The most common adverse events reported were non-allergic conjunctivitis, upper respiratory tract infections, and nasopharyngitis.

Apogee is continuing its research with a second part of the Phase 2 study, with data expected by mid-2026. The company is also conducting a Phase 1b study comparing another drug candidate to Dupixent.

As the atopic dermatitis market continues to evolve, APG777's promising results suggest it could become a strong contender in the treatment landscape, potentially offering patients a new option with improved efficacy and convenience.