Incyte, a global biopharmaceutical company, unveiled promising results from a Phase 2b clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of povorcitinib (INCB54707), an oral JAK1 inhibitor, in adults with extensive nonsegmental vitiligo. These findings were presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Berlin, marking a significant step forward in vitiligo treatment.
The 52-week data from this late-breaking presentation showcased substantial total body and facial repigmentation in all treatment groups at Week 52. The Vice President and Povorcitinib Global Program Head at Incyte expressed excitement over the results, which reinforce the potential of povorcitinib as an oral treatment for patients with extensive nonsegmental vitiligo.

The study included various treatment groups, and key findings included:
Total Body Depigmentation Improvement: At Week 52, patients in the povorcitinib groups (ranging from 15 mg to 75 mg) showed total body depigmentation improvement ranging from 40.7% to 42.7%. In contrast, the placebo group exhibited only 18.1% improvement.

Facial Depigmentation Improvement: Similarly, facial depigmentation improved significantly in the povorcitinib groups, ranging from 63.6% to 64.4%, while the placebo group showed 54.8% improvement.
Additional endpoints revealed that a greater number of patients in the povorcitinib groups achieved a ≥50% reduction from baseline in both total body and facial depigmentation at Week 52 compared to the initial 24-week findings.
Povorcitinib was well-tolerated at all doses, with treatment-emergent adverse events reported in 89.2% of patients, the most common of which were COVID-19, blood creatine phosphokinase increase, acne, fatigue, and headache.
Importantly, the data indicated that repigmentation was sustained among patients who completed the follow-up period through Week 76, suggesting the durability of the treatment's response.
Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in the depigmentation of the skin. Overactivity of the JAK signaling pathway is believed to play a crucial role in vitiligo's pathogenesis. In the United States alone, more than 1.5 million people are diagnosed with vitiligo, and there is a significant need for effective treatment options.
The 52-week results from this Phase 2b trial offer new hope to individuals with extensive nonsegmental vitiligo. These findings not only represent a significant advance in vitiligo treatment but also exemplify Incyte's commitment to addressing the needs of this patient community.
Source:
Incyte Announces Positive 52-Week Data from Phase 2b Study Evaluating Povorcitinib (INCB54707) in Patients with Extensive Nonsegmental Vitiligo. Incyte. Date accessed: October 12, 2023.