Arcutis Stops ARQ-252 Vitiligo Trial After Formulation-Related Observations In Chronic Hand Eczema Study

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Inc ARQT will terminate the Phase 2a trial evaluating ARQ-252 as a potential treatment for vitiligo.
The study was initiated in March 2021.
The decision is based on further analysis of the ARQ-252 drug formulation used in both this vitiligo study and the recently completed Phase 2b study evaluating ARQ-252 to treat chronic hand eczema.
As previously announced, the Phase 2b chronic hand eczema study did not meet its primary endpoint, with none of the ARQ-252 arms achieving statistical significance versus vehicle.
Further analysis of that study pointed toward inadequate local drug delivery to the skin as a critical driver of the lack of efficacy.
The vitiligo study is not being terminated for any safety or tolerability reasons. ARQ-252 has been safe and well-tolerated, and no unexpected safety concerns have been identified.
ARQ-252 is a small molecule inhibitor of Janus kinase type 1, which plays a central role in immune system function.
ARQT Price Action: ARQT shares were down 4.62% at $26.03 at last check Thursday.