Clinical-stage biotechnology company Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) on Wednesday announced multiple presentations for rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG) at the 2024 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress. Notably, new proteomic analyses reveal that REZPEG enhances immune-regulating protein levels while decreasing specific serum proteins elevated in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

REZPEG, a first-in-class regulatory T (Treg) cell stimulator, targets the IL-2 receptor complex to selectively promote Treg cell proliferation without activating cytotoxic CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. This mechanism aims to restore immune balance in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions. Currently, REZPEG is undergoing evaluation in two Phase 2b studies: one for moderate-to-severe AD and another for severe alopecia areata (AA), with topline data expected in 2025.

Key findings from the presentations include:

Abstract 5560/ePoster P0662 highlights that patients with moderate-to-severe AD receiving REZPEG exhibited significant modulation in Treg pathways and related immune processes. The analysis utilized the Olink proteomics platform to track serum protein changes over 12 weeks.

Abstract 4505/ePoster P0600 presents a trial in progress focused on biologic and JAK-inhibitor naïve adults with moderate-to-severe AD, measuring outcomes such as the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score.

Abstract 2459/ePoster P2080 discusses a trial evaluating REZPEG's efficacy in patients with severe to very severe AA, with primary endpoints based on the Severity Alopecia Tool (SALT) score.

REZPEG represents a potential therapeutic approach for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases by enhancing regulatory T cell proliferation, thus aiming to rebalance immune system dysfunction.

Nektar Therapeutics is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and continues to develop innovative treatments for underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.