Clinical stage biotechnology company Evommune Inc announced on Monday that the first patient has been enrolled in a Phase 2 trial of EVO301 in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD).

EVO301 is a serum albumin Fab-associated IL-18BP fusion protein designed to neutralise upregulated IL-18 activity, which is implicated in a range of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

The multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of EVO301 in approximately 60 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD. The primary objective is to characterise the efficacy of EVO301, assessed by the percentage change in EASI from baseline at week 12. EASI, the Eczema Area and Severity Index score, is a tool used to measure the extent and severity of atopic dermatitis.

J Mark Jackson, MD, Evommune vice president, Clinical Development, said: "AD is a highly heterogenous disease, and for this reason, there remains a need for more effective treatments. While currently available therapies may improve some signs and symptoms, many AD patients do not respond optimally, and we believe EVO301 could, if approved, fulfil their search for a new and better treatment option. Based on our robust preclinical and Phase 1 clinical data, we are eager to confirm that the extended half-life expected with this IL-18BP fusion protein, has the potential to better serve patients with moderate-to-severe AD."