New Phase 3b data show Lilly's EBGLYSS (lebrikizumab-lbkz) delivered significant and rapid improvements in skin clearance, itch, pain, and patient satisfaction in people with moderate-to-severe hand and foot atopic dermatitis
The study found skin clearance improvements by Week 4 and itch improvements by Week 2, alongside lower rescue medication use.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
Eli Lilly (LLY) reported that EBGLYSS monotherapy met the primary and secondary endpoints in its Phase 3b hand-and-foot atopic dermatitis study. ADtouch enrolled 221 adults and adolescents and compared treatment every two weeks with placebo over 16 weeks. At Week 16, 53% versus 27% achieved clear or almost clear hands and feet with at least a two-point improvement on the physician assessment.
Among patients with baseline symptom scores of at least four, four-point itch improvement occurred in 57% versus 19%, and pain improvement in 59% versus 19%. Among patients initially dissatisfied with hand clearance, 77% versus 40% were satisfied or very satisfied at Week 16. Adverse events occurred in 41.8% versus 39.6%; all were mild or moderate, with no new safety signals. Lilly submitted the data to the FDA and plans submissions to select global regulators for a potential label update.
How this balance works
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Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works
Positive
- Moderate pointWeek 16 primary endpoint: clear or almost clear hands and feet with ≥2-point improvement in 53% versus 27% on placebo.
- Minor pointWeek 4 skin clearance: clear or almost clear hands and feet with ≥2-point improvement in 17% versus 6% on placebo.
- Minor pointWeek 16 itch relief: ≥4-point improvement in 57% versus 19% on placebo among patients with baseline scores ≥4.
- Minor pointWeek 4 itch relief: ≥4-point improvement in 27% versus 8% on placebo among patients with baseline scores ≥4.
- Minor pointWeek 2 itch relief: ≥4-point improvement in 16% versus 1% on placebo among patients with baseline scores ≥4.
10 minor points
- Minor pointWeek 16 pain relief: ≥4-point improvement in 59% versus 19% on placebo among patients with baseline scores ≥4.
- Minor pointWeek 2 pain relief: ≥4-point improvement in 24% versus 3% on placebo among patients with baseline scores ≥4.
- Minor pointWeek 1 pain relief: ≥4-point improvement in 8% versus 0% on placebo among patients with baseline scores ≥4.
- Minor pointWeek 16 hand-clearance satisfaction: 77% versus 40% on placebo were satisfied or very satisfied among initially dissatisfied patients.
- Minor pointHand-disease quality-of-life impact: mean improvement of 57% versus 28% on placebo.
- Minor pointRescue medication use through Week 16: 6% versus 18% on placebo required topical or systemic rescue medication.
- Minor pointNo new safety signals emerged in ADtouch; all treatment-emergent adverse events were mild or moderate.
- Minor pointAdverse-event discontinuations occurred in 0.9% on EBGLYSS versus 2.7% on placebo.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.FDA data submission completed; Lilly plans submissions to select global regulators for a potential localized-AD label update.
- Minor pointEvery-eight-week maintenance dosing received U.S. FDA approval in June 2026, adding to once-monthly maintenance dosing.
Negative
- Minor pointTreatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 41.8% on EBGLYSS versus 39.6% on placebo.
- Minor pointNasopharyngitis and upper respiratory tract infection were the most common EBGLYSS adverse reactions, each reported at ≥5%.
News Explained
In ADtouch, hand-and-foot skin-clearance criteria were met by
Key Figures
- Primary endpoint response
- 53% vs 27%
- Clear or almost clear hands and feet at Week 16; EBGLYSS vs placebo
- Itch improvement
- 57% vs 19%
- At least 4-point HF-Peak Pruritus NRS improvement at Week 16; EBGLYSS vs placebo
- Pain improvement
- 59% vs 19%
- At least 4-point HF-Peak Pain NRS improvement at Week 16; EBGLYSS vs placebo
- Hand-clearance satisfaction
- 77% vs 40%
- Satisfied or very satisfied at Week 16; EBGLYSS vs placebo
- Rescue medication use
- 6% vs 18%
- Patients requiring rescue medication through Week 16; EBGLYSS vs placebo
- Study enrollment
- 221 patients
- ADtouch randomized study
- Treatment-emergent adverse events
- 41.8% vs 39.6%
- EBGLYSS vs placebo
- Adverse-event discontinuations
- 0.9% vs 2.7%
- EBGLYSS vs placebo
Key Terms
monotherapy medical
primary endpoint technical
placebo-controlled technical
interleukin-13 medical
monoclonal antibody medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
EBGLYSS monotherapy met its primary endpoint with more than half of patients achieving clear or almost clear skin on their hands and feet (HF-IGA 0/1) by Week 16, with significant skin clearance as early as one month
EBGLYSS delivered significant itch and pain relief, with significant itch improvements as early as two weeks in the Phase 3b ADtouch study
In first-of-its-kind patient satisfaction data, nearly eight out of 10 patients treated with EBGLYSS reported being satisfied or very satisfied with hand clearance at Week 16
"When atopic dermatitis affects the hands and feet, persistent itch and pain can make simple things like walking or holding your child's hand a daily struggle," said Mark Genovese, M.D., senior vice president of Lilly Immunology development. "Data from the ADtouch study provide further evidence that EBGLYSS has the potential to rapidly improve skin clearance and itch and provide pain relief in the hands and feet without the need for topical treatments, giving people with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis the opportunity to spend less time managing symptoms."
EBGLYSS is an interleukin-13 (IL-13) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-13 signaling with high binding affinity and slow dissociation rate.2,3,4 The cytokine IL-13 is a primary cytokine in AD, driving the type-2 inflammatory cycle in the skin, leading to skin barrier dysfunction, itch, skin thickening and infection.5,6
"For people with hand and foot atopic dermatitis, a relatively small area of affected skin can have an outsized impact on daily life," said Shawn G. Kwatra, M.D., Joseph W. Burnett Endowed Professor and Chair in Dermatology, Chief of Service, Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland Medical Center. "Patients treated with lebrikizumab experienced significant improvements in pain and itch, with nearly three times as many patients achieving meaningful pain improvement compared with placebo. The ADtouch data reinforce that disease burden extends beyond what clinicians can see and highlight the importance of evaluating outcomes that matter to people in improving their everyday lives."
Atopic dermatitis affecting the hands and feet can carry substantial burden for people living with this chronic skin disease, despite involving limited areas of the body.1,7 Up to
The ADtouch clinical trial evaluated EBGLYSS monotherapy in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe hand and foot AD who had an inadequate response to topical therapies. In the ADtouch clinical trial, participants were randomized to receive placebo or EBGLYSS every two weeks. The trial assessed physician- and patient-reported outcomes across skin clearance, itch, pain, patient satisfaction with hand clearance, and quality of life. Patients enrolled had moderate-to-severe hand and foot involvement, though most had limited AD across the rest of the body. At baseline, patients were living with severe itch of the hands and feet, moderate pain and substantial impairment in quality of life, despite limited overall skin involvement.
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Key Efficacy Results in ADtouch1 |
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|
EBGLYSS |
Placebo |
|
|
Significant and rapid |
Clear or almost clear hands and feet |
53 % |
27 % |
|
HF-IGA 0/1 with ≥2-point |
17 % |
6 % |
|
|
Significant and rapid |
HF-Peak Pruritus NRS ≥4-point |
57 % |
19 % |
|
HF-Peak Pruritus NRS ≥4-point |
27 % |
8 % |
|
|
HF-Peak Pruritus NRS ≥4-point |
16 % |
1 % |
|
|
Significant improvements in |
HF-Peak Pain NRS ≥4-point |
59 % |
19 % |
|
HF-Peak Pain NRS ≥ 4-point |
24 % |
3 % |
|
|
HF-Peak Pain NRS ≥4-point |
8 % |
0 % |
|
|
Significant improvements in |
Satisfied or very satisfied with hand |
77 % |
40 % |
|
Mean improvement in impact of |
57 % |
28 % |
|
|
Less need for topical and |
Patients requiring rescue medication |
6 % |
18 % |
|
* Statistically significant under multiplicity control |
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† Among patients with HF-Peak Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) ≥4 at baseline, rating itch from 0-10 with 10 being worst imaginable itch within the past 24 hours |
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‡ Among patients with HF-Peak Pain NRS ≥4 at baseline, rating pain from 0-10 with 10 being worst imaginable pain within the past 24 hours |
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§ Among patients dissatisfied with their hand dermatitis clearance at baseline, as measured by the novel Atopic Hand Dermatitis Clearance Satisfaction (AHDCS) patient-reported scale. |
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|| Measured by the Quality of Life in Hand Eczema Questionnaire (QoLHEQ) |
The safety of EBGLYSS in ADtouch was consistent with the known profile in adult and adolescent patients, with no new safety signals observed. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in
Lilly has submitted these data to the
Almirall will also present EBGLYSS data at EADV, including five-year results from the Phase 3b ADlong trial highlighting the long-term durability of EBGLYSS in adults with moderate-to-severe AD. These results reinforce previously reported four-year ADlong results for EBGLYSS.10
EBGLYSS is approved in the
Lilly has exclusive rights for development and commercialization of EBGLYSS in the
About ADtouch
ADtouch (NCT06921759) is a Phase 3b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of EBGLYSS 250 mg dosed every two weeks (Q2W) in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic hand and foot dermatitis for a total of 16 weeks. Adults and adolescents (ages 12-17, weighing at least 88 pounds, ≥40 kg) with history of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, atopic hand and foot dermatitis of at least one year's duration, involvement in at least two of four hand and foot anatomical areas, a Hand and Foot Investigator Global Assessment (HF-IGA) score of moderate (3) or severe (4), Hand and Foot Peak Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of 4 or higher, and inadequate response to topical therapies were eligible to enroll. Patients (N=221) were randomized 1:1 to receive EBGLYSS 250 mg or placebo every two weeks after an initial loading dose, with all participants applying moisturizer to the hands and feet throughout the study.1 The approved maintenance dose of EBGLYSS is 250 mg every four weeks (EU and
About EBGLYSS(lebrikizumab-lbkz)
EBGLYSS is a monoclonal antibody that selectively targets and neutralizes IL-13 with high binding affinity and a slow dissociation rate.1,3,4 EBGLYSS binds to the IL-13 cytokine at an area that overlaps with the binding site of the IL-4Rα subunit of the IL-13Rα1/IL-4Rα heterodimer, preventing formation of this receptor complex and inhibiting IL-13 signaling. IL-13 is implicated as a primary cytokine tied to the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis, driving the type-2 inflammatory loop in the skin, and EBGLYSS selectively targets IL-13.1
The EBGLYSS Phase 3 program in atopic dermatitis consists of seven key global studies evaluating more than 1,600 patients, including two monotherapy studies (ADvocate 1 and 2), a combination study with topical corticosteroids (ADhere), long-term extension (ADjoin) and adolescent open-label (ADore) studies. The program also includes a study assessing the impact of EBGLYSS on vaccine immune response in adults (ADopt-VA). EBGLYSS has been studied in patients with skin of color (ADmirable) and in dupilumab-experienced patients (ADapt).
EBGLYSS was approved in the
Lilly is committed to serving patients living with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and is working to enable broad first-line biologic access to EBGLYSS for patients not well-controlled with topical prescription therapy through commercial insurance. Lilly has coverage with all three major national pharmacy benefit managers, and EBGLYSS is covered on nearly
INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
EBGLYSS® (EHB-glihs) is an injectable medicine used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88
It is not known if EBGLYSS is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age or in children 12 years to less than 18 years of age who weigh less than 88
Warnings - Do not use EBGLYSS if you are allergic to lebrikizumab-lbkz or to any of the ingredients in EBGLYSS. See the Patient Information leaflet that comes with EBGLYSS for a complete list of ingredients.
Before using
Before using EBGLYSS, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have a parasitic (helminth) infection.
- Are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a "live vaccine" if you are treated with EBGLYSS.
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if EBGLYSS will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with EBGLYSS, you or your healthcare provider can call Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) to report the pregnancy.
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if EBGLYSS passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Possible side effects
EBGLYSS can cause serious side effects, including:
- Allergic reactions. EBGLYSS can cause allergic reactions that may sometimes be severe. Stop using EBGLYSS and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms:
- breathing problems or wheezing
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- hives
- itching
- fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded
- skin rash
- cramps in your stomach area (abdomen)
- Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision.
The most common side effects of EBGLYSS include:
- eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching
- injection site reactions
- shingles (herpes zoster)
These are not all of the possible side effects of EBGLYSS. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How to take
- See the detailed "Instructions for Use" that comes with EBGLYSS for information about how to prepare and inject EBGLYSS and how to properly store and throw away (dispose of) used EBGLYSS prefilled pens and prefilled syringes.
- Use EBGLYSS exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- EBGLYSS is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection).
- If your healthcare provider decides that you or a caregiver can give the injections of EBGLYSS, you or a caregiver should receive training on the right way to prepare and inject EBGLYSS. Do not try to inject EBGLYSS until you have been shown the right way by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, EBGLYSS should be given by a caregiver.
- If you miss a dose of EBGLYSS, inject the missed dose as soon as possible, then inject your next dose at your regular scheduled time.
Learn more
EBGLYSS is a prescription medicine available as a 250 mg/2 mL injection prefilled pen or prefilled syringe. For more information, call 1-800-545-5979 or go to ebglyss.lilly.com.
This summary provides basic information about EBGLYSS but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking to your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about EBGLYSS and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if EBGLYSS is right for you.
LK CON BS AD APP
EBGLYSS®, its delivery device base, and Lilly Support Services™ are trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company turning science into healing to make life better for people around the world. We've been pioneering life-changing discoveries for 150 years, and today our medicines help tens of millions of people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes care; treating obesity and curtailing its most devastating long-term effects; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing solutions to some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the most difficult-to-treat cancers into manageable diseases. With each step toward a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com and Lilly.com/news, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. P-LLY
Trademarks and Trade Names
All trademarks or trade names referred to in this press release are the property of the company, or, to the extent trademarks or trade names belonging to other companies are referenced in this press release, they are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this press release are referred to without the ® and ™ symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that the company or, to the extent applicable, their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, the company's or their rights thereto. We do not intend the use or display of other companies' trademarks and trade names to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements (as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) about EBGLYSS (lebrikizumab-lbkz) as a treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and the timeline for future readouts, presentations, and other milestones relating to EBGLYSS and its clinical trials and reflects Lilly's current beliefs and expectations. However, as with any pharmaceutical product, there are substantial risks and uncertainties in the process of drug research, development, and commercialization. Among other things, there is no guarantee that future study results will be consistent with the results to date or that EBGLYSS will receive additional regulatory approvals, or that it will be commercially successful. For further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from Lilly's expectations, see Lilly's Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Lilly undertakes no duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release.
References
- Silverberg K, Simpson E, Laquer V, et al. Lebrikizumab is effective in patients with atopic hand and foot dermatitis: 16-week results from the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ADtouch trial. European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress. Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 2026.
- Simpson EL, et al. Efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab (an anti-IL-13 monoclonal antibody) in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis inadequately controlled by topical corticosteroids: A randomized, placebo-controlled phase II trial (TREBLE). J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018;78(5):863-871.e11. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.01.017
- Okragly A, et al. Binding, Neutralization and Internalization of the Interleukin-13 Antibody, Lebrikizumab. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2023;13(7):1535-1547. doi:10.1007/s13555-023-00947-7.
- Ultsch M, et al. Structural basis of signaling blockade by anti-IL-13 antibody Lebrikizumab. J Mol Biol. 2013;425(8):1330-1339. doi:10.10116/j.jmb.2013.01.024.
- Bieber T. Interleukin-13: Targeting an underestimated cytokine in atopic dermatitis. Allergy. 2020;75(1):54–62. doi:10.1111/all.13954.
- Tsoi LC, et al. Atopic Dermatitis Is an IL-13-Dominant Disease with Greater Molecular Heterogeneity Compared to Psoriasis. J Invest Dermatol. 2019;139(7):1480-1489. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2018.12.018
- Quaade AS, Simonsen AB, Halling AS, et al. Prevalence, incidence, and severity of hand eczema in the general population - a systematic review and meta-analysis." Contact Dermatitis 2021;84(6):361-74.
- Lio PA, Armstrong A, Gutermuth J, et al. Lebrikizumab Improves Quality of Life and Patient-Reported Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2024;14(7):1929-43.
- Holm JG, Agner T, Clausen ML, Thomsen SF. Quality of life and disease severity in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016;30(10):1760-7.
- Weidinger S, Irvine AD, Thaçi D, Szepietowski JC, Biedermann T, Agell H, Valls J, Coll R, Castilla-Fernández G, Romero W, Reich K. Lebrikizumab showed sustained efficacy and safety through 5 years in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: Results from the ADlong long-term extension trial. 2026. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05916365.
- EBGLYSS. Prescribing Information. Lilly USA, LLC.
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Refer to: |
Julia Brennan; julia.brennan@lilly.com (Media) |
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Michael Czapar; czapar_michael_c@lilly.com (Investors) |

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