Eczema
Eczema is a common skin condition characterized by itching, rashes, dry patches, and potential infection. It falls under the category of dermatitis, a group of conditions that cause skin inflammation or irritation. The most common form is atopic dermatitis (or atopic eczema), where “atopic” refers to a tendency to develop allergic conditions like asthma or hay fever. For most people, eczema symptoms can be managed with treatment and by avoiding irritants—substances that trigger skin reactions upon contact. Extreme itching is the hallmark symptom, and scratching tends to worsen the condition. Eczema affects over 31 million Americans, and the periods when symptoms flare up are known as "flare-ups." These episodes can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Symptoms:
Eczema can appear differently in each person, and flare-ups may not occur in the same area each time. Regardless of where it affects the skin, eczema is almost always accompanied by itching, which can sometimes begin before the rash appears. The affected skin may also be:
• Red
• Dry and cracked
• Itchy
• Swollen with a rash (color may vary depending on skin tone)
• Bumpy (particularly on brown or Black skin)
• Thick and leathery
• Oozing or crusting
• Raw from frequent scratching
Drug Class Distribution and Development Phases
According to the AdisInsight database, the following is a comprehensive overview of drugs grouped into three main drug classes, along with their respective development phases. Small molecules are leading the development, with two drugs launched (Alitoc, Anzupgo), one in late-stage development, and one in early-stage development.
Drug development phases Vs drug class
Fig 7: Development phases of drugs versus drug class distribution
The graph clearly illustrates that small molecules are dominating the development phase, with two drugs in the registered phase set for imminent market launch—Alitretinoin oral (Alitoc®; Cehado™; Toctino®) and Delgocitinib (Anzupgo®). Additionally, one drug is in the late stage, and another is in the early stage of clinical development.
Analysis of Development Phases and Routes of Administration
The graph shows that the topical route of administration is leading for the treatment of eczema, with two drugs in early-stage clinical development (B 244 and Niclosamide) and one in the registered phase (Anzupgo®).
Drug development phases Vs RoA
Fig 8: Development phases of drugs versus RoA distribution
Drug development phases Vs formulation of drugs
Fig 9: Development phases of drugs versus formulation
Overview of Development Stages and Formulations
According to the AdisInsight database, cream formulations are at the forefront of development, with one drug in early-stage clinical development and one in the preregistration and registered phases, respectively.