By Ted Rosen, MD
Late Friday on December 13, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved two new therapies for atopic dermatitis (AD): Nemolizumab (Nemluvio, Galderma) and tapinarof cream, 1% (Vtama, Organon).
In one day, treatment for moderate to severe AD was vastly improved. Both nemolizumab and tapinarof cream, 1% are now approved for this indication in those 12 and older and 2 and older, respectively. The approval of nemolizumab is truly a milestone in that we now have four unique injectable biologic drugs for AD. Most importantly, nemolizumab carries with it a distinct mechanism of action centering around interleukin (IL)-31 blockade, which clearly differentiates it from the other biologics that block IL-4 and/or IL-13. The distinct mechanism of action for tapinarof also differentiates it from other non-steroid, non-topical calcineurin inhibitors agents already available. The more choices that clinicians have, the more likely that they will find an efficacious drug for every AD patient under their care.
Ted Rosen, MD, is a Professor of Dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, and the Medical Editor of the Dermatology Digest.
