Incyte's Jakafi improves eczema

A good chunk of Incyte’s revenues come from Jakafi, a janus kinase inhibitor that works to regulate the number of blood cells a person might produce. The drug, also called ruxolitinib, has been approved in two bone marrow diseases, but Incyte is casting its net a bit wider. 

In a pivotal Phase 3 trial, Incyte reported yesterday that patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis showed substantial improvement after being treated with ruxolitinib cream. Meanwhile, the safety profile remained benign. About 11 million Americans have this form of eczema. Incyte has been projecting up to $3 billion in annual sales for the drug by 2027. 

Beyond atopic dermatitis, Incyte has been studying ruxolitinib in other indications — such as graft vs. host disease and leukemia. The company’s stock saw a nice little bump in response to the news.