Positive results for Olumiant in alopecia areata

Adults with severe alopecia areata (AA) who took Olumiant (baricitinib) achieved significant scalp, eyelash and eyebrow hair regrowth and nearly 75% of those who responded to Olumiant 4mg achieved 90% scalp coverage at 52 weeks, Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and Incyte (Nasdaq: INCY) announced at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting on March 26.

In February 2022, the US Food and Drug Administration granted priority review for Olumiant in severe alopecia areata (AA) as a potential first-in-disease medicine. Lilly expects regulatory decisions in the USA, European Union and Japan in 2022.

In the pooled 52-week analysis, patients at baseline had a mean Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score of 85.5 (85.5% scalp hair loss, or 14.5% scalp hair coverage); severe AA is defined as having a SALT score ≥50 (≥50% scalp hair loss). At baseline, 69.4% and 57.9% had significant eyebrow and eyelash hair loss, respectively, as defined by Clinician-Reported Outcome (ClinRO) scores ≥2. Patients' average age was 37.6 years, with hair loss starting around age 25 and a mean of 12.2 years since symptom onset.