safety, tolerability and efficacy of zep-3na (0.1% or 1%) compared to placebo in subjects with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis

Conditions: Atopic Dermatitis

Summary: this is a phase ii, double blind study with zep-3na 0.1% or 1% vs. vehicle-control in subjects with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. the ip (investigational product) will be administered topically twice daily for 4 weeks in the double blind phase. patients that will reach the primary endpoint will have the opportunity for additional to two weeks of open label treatment with zep-3na 1%. the purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of two concentrations of zep-3na compared to vehicle-control.

165 subjects, 5-75 years old with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis will be enrolled to the study. the investigational product which is the synthetic analogue of the natural compound found in the rattle snake venom will be administered topically twice daily. the duration of the study will be up to 11 weeks consisting of up to 3 weeks of screening, 4 weeks of double blind treatment, optional 2 weeks of open label treatment, followed by 2 weeks of follow-up. efficacy will be measured by iga (investigator global assessment, easi (eczema area and severity index) and scorad (scoring atopic dermatitis). lesions will be photographed throughout the study. physical examination and vital signs will be measured during every visit. patients will complete quality of life questionnaires, itching scale and diaries.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. male or female 5 to 75 years old, inclusive. 2. clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (as defined by hanifin and rajka criteria). 3. atopic dermatitis should be present for at least three months with stable disease for ≥ 1 month prior to screening. 4. iga score of 2 or 3 (mild or moderate) during screening and baseline. 5. women of child bearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening and use an adequate contraceptive method throughout the study. women of child bearing potential is defined as any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone surgical sterilization (such as: hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy) and is not postmenopausal. menopause is defined as 24 months of amenorrhea in a woman over age 45 years in the absence of other biological or physiological causes. adequate method of birth control is defined as one of the following: oral or injectable contraceptives, intrauterine device, contraceptive implants, tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or a double-barrier method (diaphragm with spermicidal foam or jelly, or a condom), abstinence or vasectomy. males with partners of childbearing potential should inform them of their participation in this clinical study and use an adequate contraceptive method throughout the study. 6. willing and able to comply with study instructions and commit to attending all visits. 7. the patient/parent/guardian has the ability to understand, agree to and sign the study informed consent form prior to performing any study-related procedure. adolescents age \>16 to 18 years old should be willing and able to sign assent form. exclusion criteria: 1. unstable or actively infected atopic dermatitis. 2. concomitant dermatologic (e.g. irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, etc.) or other medical condition(s) which may interfere with the investigator's ability to evaluate the subject's response to study drug. 3. patients with atopic dermatitis affecting only the scalp will be excluded from the study. in addition, patients with the scalp representing ≥ 25% of the affected area will be excluded as well. 4. has received treatment two weeks prior to visit 2 (day 1 of ip) with topical corticosteroids and/or topical immunosuppressive drugs or four weeks prior to visit 2 (day 1 of ip) with systemic immunosuppressive drugs and/or corticosteroids or plans to receive treatment during the study timeframe with immunosuppressive drugs and/or corticosteroids (topical or systemic). 5. use of crisaborole two weeks prior to visit 2 (day 1 of ip). 6. prior use of dupilumab. 7. subjects who are using any concomitant medications that, in the investigator's opinion, could affect the subject's atopic dermatitis (e.g antihistamines). subjects using such medications and have been stable on treatment for at least one month prior to visit 2 (day 1 of ip) and no changes to these medications are planned during study, may be included in the study, at the investigator's discretion. 8. subject had uva or uvb therapy two weeks prior to visit 2 (day 1 of ip) or is due to have it during the study period. 9. any vaccination in the last 30 days prior to the screening visit. however, due to covid-19 pandemic, only 1st vaccination for covid is not allowed during only 21 days prior to visit 2 (day 1 of ip) and during the study. the 2nd vaccination onwards is allowed at all times. 10. abnormal renal function (defined as serum creatinine \>1.5xuln). 11. abnormal liver function (defined as any transaminases \>2xuln). 12. clinically significant abnormalities as determined by the investigator on the 12-lead ecg conducted at the screening visit (for adults only). 13. subject has active or history of malignancy, except non melanomatous skin cancer cured by excision. subjects with past malignancy who had completed therapy and are free of the disease for at least 5 years may be included in the study, at the investigator's discretion. 14. history of immunodeficiency syndrome (e.g. atypical rash morphology, severe bacterial, fungal or viral skin infections, etc). 15. subjects who are receiving any investigational drug or who participated in a clinical trial with an investigational product within the last 30 days or 5-half-lives of the investigational product, whichever is longer. 16. history of any anaphylactic reaction or history or evidence of allergies requiring acute or chronic treatment (except seasonal allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis). 17. known hypersensitivity to any of the components of the study drug. 18. known or suspected history of alcohol or drug abuse. 19. subjects with a history of human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) as determined by medical history. 20. pregnant or lactating women. 21. any history which, in the investigator's judgment, makes the subject ineligible or places the subject at undue risk.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis