MHRA nod for severe alopecia areata treatment in UK

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has granted marketing authorization (MA) for Olumiant (baricitinib) for the treatment of severe alopecia areata (AA) in adult patients.

The JAK inhibitor drug was developed by US pharma major Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and research partner Incyte (Nasdaq: INCY), and gained its first clearance in this indication from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June this year. Olumiant was the first JAK inhibitor approved by the FDA to treat moderate-to-severe patients with atopic dermatitis in 2018.

"Alopecia areata is an often-misunderstood autoimmune disease that can lead to unpredictable hair loss, ranging from bald patches to complete loss of all hair. The disease can be perceived as a cosmetic condition but carries significant psychosocial burden and can impact patients of any race, ethnicity, or age, with many experiencing alopecia in their early to mid-20s," said Dr Paul Farrant, consultant dermatologist, adding: "This is an important authorization for patients as previously there has never been a licensed oral therapy for adults with severe alopecia areata."