Efficacy shortfall in DUPLEX-AD study Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has decided to halt the Phase 2 clinical trial of its pipeline candidate JNJ-95475939 (formerly known as NM26). While the drug was well-tolerated among participants, the proof-of-concept DUPLEX-AD study failed to meet the “high-bar efficacy” expectations for patients suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD).
This decision effectively ends a major program that J&J acquired through a $1.25 billion all-cash deal with Swiss biotech Numab Therapeutics in 2024, which saw the U.S. healthcare giant take control of the subsidiary Yellow Jersey Therapeutics.
Dual-action mechanism fails to distinguish itself JNJ-95475939 was designed as a bispecific antibody targeting both IL-4 and IL-31. The rationale was to create a “first-in-class” therapy that could:
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Target IL-4 receptors: Reducing skin inflammation, a mechanism similar to the blockbuster therapy Dupixent.
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Block IL-31: Addressing the debilitating itch that often leads to scratching and further skin damage.
Despite the promising dual-target approach, the clinical data did not support its continued development as a transformative medicine.
Ongoing commitment to AD research J&J clarified that it remains deeply committed to its remaining pipeline for atopic dermatitis, a chronic disease impacting over 100 million people worldwide. The company’s portfolio still includes several promising candidates:
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PX130: A bispecific antibody acquired through the Proteologix deal.
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KP-723: An oral STAT6-targeting drug.
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JNJ-7528: A Phase 1 candidate with a currently undisclosed mechanism of action.
Source: https://pharmaphorum.com/news/jj-abandons-trial-atopic-dermatitis-drug