Data from Phase 2b Studies for Rezpegaldesleukin Accepted for Two Oral Presentations at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting

Rhea-AI Summary

Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq:NKTR) announced that Phase 2b data for rezpegaldesleukin will be presented orally at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, March 27-31, 2026, in Denver.

Two presentations on March 28 cover 36-week efficacy and safety in severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata and severity-dependent results in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Key Figures

Therapy duration: 36 weeks Oral presentations: 2 presentations AAD meeting dates: March 27–31, 2026 +4 more

7 metrics

Therapy duration 36 weeks Phase 2b alopecia areata efficacy and safety results period

Oral presentations 2 presentations Rezpegaldesleukin Phase 2b data at 2026 AAD Annual Meeting

AAD meeting dates March 27–31, 2026 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting schedule

Alopecia presentation time 10:36–10:48 AM MST Late-breaking oral session on March 28, 2026

Atopic dermatitis time 11:40–11:45 AM MST ePoster oral presentation on March 28, 2026

Abstract ID (alopecia) 79863 Late-breaking research oral presentation identifier

Abstract ID (AD) 73858 ePoster oral presentation identifier

Market Reality Check

Price: $72.22 Vol: Volume 571,698 is below t...

low vol

$72.22 Last Close

Volume Volume 571,698 is below the 20-day average of 986,413, suggesting a relatively muted trading response ahead of the AAD presentations. low

Technical Shares at $74.84 are trading above the 200-day MA of $44.37 and sit 2.81% below the 52-week high of $77.00.

Peers on Argus

NKTR gained 2.27% while several biotech peers like PRAX, QURE, SANA, and ABUS sh...

NKTR gained 2.27% while several biotech peers like PRAX, QURE, SANA, and ABUS showed gains between roughly 3–4%, and SYRE declined 1.56%. With no peers in the momentum scanner and mixed moves across names, NKTR’s action appears more stock-specific than a clear sector-wide trend.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 12 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 12	Earnings results	Neutral	+4.1%	Reported 2025 results with lower revenue and net loss plus Phase 3 plans.
Mar 06	Inducement grants	Neutral	-2.2%	Announced small inducement stock option grants under 2025 Inducement Plan.
Feb 26	Earnings date set	Neutral	+4.7%	Scheduled Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call and webcast details.
Feb 24	Conference participation	Neutral	+2.9%	Planned appearances at TD Cowen and Jefferies investor conferences.
Feb 17	Research collaboration	Positive	+3.5%	Collaboration with UCSF on TNFR2 agonist antibody NKTR‑0165 in MS models.

Pattern Detected

Recent NKTR news events have often been followed by positive price reactions, even for neutral or routine announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the last month, Nektar’s news flow has centered on financing, corporate events, and pipeline progress. The Feb 12 capital raise and subsequent filings strengthened liquidity to support rezpegaldesleukin. A Feb 17 collaboration on NKTR‑0165, multiple March conference and earnings updates, and Q4/FY25 results on Mar 12 all saw generally positive next‑day moves. Today’s AAD Phase 2b presentation acceptance fits into a pattern of pipeline‑focused communication around rezpegaldesleukin and broader immunology assets.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement underscores the prominence of rezpegaldesleukin, with Phase 2b data in atopic derm...

Analysis

This announcement underscores the prominence of rezpegaldesleukin, with Phase 2b data in atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata selected for two oral presentations at the 2026 AAD meeting. It builds on prior disclosures of Phase 2b efficacy and safety and supports the company’s focus on autoimmune and inflammatory indications. Investors may watch for detailed results, durability of response beyond 36 weeks, and how these data frame the planned Phase 3 program and broader immunology strategy.

Key Terms

phase 2b, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, regulatory t (treg) cell, +4 more

8 terms

phase 2b medical

"data from the ongoing Phase 2b studies of rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis"

Phase 2b is a stage in the development of a new medicine or treatment where researchers test its effectiveness and safety in a larger group of people. This step helps determine whether the treatment works well enough to move forward and if it has manageable side effects, which is important for investors because successful results can lead to potential approval and market opportunity.

atopic dermatitis medical

"Phase 2b studies of rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata"

A chronic inflammatory skin condition, often called eczema, that causes dry, itchy, red patches and recurring flare-ups; think of it as a persistent rash that can come and go over a person’s life. It matters to investors because its chronic nature and large patient population create steady demand for treatments, influence drug development and approval decisions, affect healthcare costs and reimbursement, and can drive revenue and valuation shifts for companies working on therapies and diagnostics.

alopecia areata medical

"Phase 2b studies of rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata"

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing round patches of hair loss on the scalp or body; severity ranges from small spots to widespread baldness. Investors watch it because successful treatments, clinical trial results, regulatory approvals, or shifts in prevalence can create or shrink markets for drugs and therapies, affecting the value of companies developing remedies—think of it as demand risk and regulatory risk for hair-loss products.

regulatory t (treg) cell medical

"a novel first-in-class regulatory T (Treg) cell stimulator designed to address"

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a specialized type of immune cell that act like the body's peacekeepers, dialing down immune attacks to prevent damage to healthy tissue. For investors, they matter because drugs that boost or block Tregs can treat autoimmune disease, improve transplant success, or enhance cancer immunotherapy, so changes in Treg-related research, approvals, or trial results can significantly affect biotech valuations and commercial prospects.

il-2 receptor complex medical

"Rezpegaldesleukin works by targeting the IL-2 receptor complex and preferentially"

The IL-2 receptor complex is a set of proteins on the surface of certain immune cells that acts like a molecular switch: when it catches the signaling molecule interleukin‑2, it tells those cells to grow, multiply or change behavior. Investors care because many therapies for cancer, autoimmune disease and transplant rejection aim to block or mimic this switch, so how well drugs affect the IL‑2 receptor can determine clinical benefit, market size and regulatory risk.

cd8+ t cells medical

"without stimulating cytotoxic CD8+ T and CD4+ T cells, which drive autoimmune"

CD8+ T cells are a type of white blood cell that act as the immune system’s search-and-destroy team, seeking out and killing virus-infected or abnormal cells such as cancerous cells. They matter to investors because many drugs, vaccines and diagnostics aim to boost, measure or redirect these cells; their presence and activity can be a key biomarker for whether an immunotherapy works and therefore affect trial outcomes, regulatory decisions and commercial prospects.

cd4+ t cells medical

"without stimulating cytotoxic CD8+ T and CD4+ T cells, which drive autoimmune"

CD4+ T cells are a type of white blood cell that act as coordinators of the immune system, sending signals that activate and direct other immune cells, like a conductor guiding an orchestra. They are measured in blood tests and used as biomarkers because their number and activity show how well a vaccine, immunotherapy, or infectious-disease treatment is working, which can influence clinical trial outcomes, regulatory decisions and a product’s market potential.

late-breaking research technical

"Late-Breaking Research Oral Presentation (Abstract 79863): "Novel Regulatory"

Late-breaking research are newly released scientific or clinical study results shared at the last minute, often at conferences or in urgent publications, because they are considered especially timely or potentially important. Investors pay attention because these surprise findings can quickly change expectations about a product’s safety, efficacy, regulatory approval or market potential—like an unexpected plot twist that forces traders to reassess a company’s value.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nektar Therapeutics (Nasdaq: NKTR) announced today that data from the ongoing Phase 2b studies of rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata have been accepted for two oral presentations at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting taking place March 27-31, 2026, in Denver, CO.

Rezpegaldesleukin is a novel first-in-class regulatory T (Treg) cell stimulator designed to address the imbalance in the immune system underlying autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammatory conditions. Rezpegaldesleukin works by targeting the IL-2 receptor complex and preferentially stimulating the proliferation of Treg cells without stimulating cytotoxic CD8+ T and CD4+ T cells, which drive autoimmune disease, to restore immune balance.

Details of the presentations at AAD are as follows:

Late-Breaking Research Oral Presentation (Abstract 79863): "Novel Regulatory T-cell enhancing Biologic Rezpegaldesleukin: Phase 2b Efficacy and Safety Results Following 36-Weeks of Therapy in Severe-to-Very-Severe Alopecia Areata"

• Presenter: David Rosmarin, MD, FAAD
• Presentation Date and Time: Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 10:36-10:48 AM MST
• Session Title: Late-Breaking Research: Session 1
• Location: Colorado Convention Center, Bellco Theatre 3

ePoster Oral Presentation (Abstract 73858): "Novel Regulatory T-cell enhancing Biologic Rezpegaldesleukin: Phase 2b Efficacy, Safety, and Baseline Severity–Dependent Treatment Response in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis"

• Presenter: Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, FAAD
• Presentation Date and Time: Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 11:40 AM-11:45 AM MST
• Location: Colorado Convention Center, Lobby C, Poster Center 1

About REZOLVE-AA Phase 2b Study

The REZOLVE-AA (NCT06340360) study enrolled patients with severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata who have not previously been treated with a JAK inhibitor or other biologic. Patients were randomized across two different dose regimens of rezpegaldesleukin or placebo. The trial completed enrollment in February 2025, with patients enrolled across approximately 30 sites globally, with 62% of patients in Poland; 24% in Canada; and 14% in the United States.

The primary endpoint was the mean percentage reduction from baseline in the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score at Week 36. Key secondary endpoints include the proportion of patients that achieved absolute SALT scores of less than or equal to 30, 20, and 10, along with the exploratory endpoint of the Clinical-Reported Outcomes (ClinRO) Eyebrow and Eyelash Score.

Enrollment criteria in the study included a diagnosis of severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata (≥ 50% scalp involvement) as measured using the SALT score at both screening and randomization. Patients who experienced an unstable course of alopecia areata over the last 6 months per investigator assessment or had inadequate washout of prior alopecia areata treatments (within 8 weeks) were excluded from the study. Patients with diffuse alopecia and other forms of alopecia were also excluded. Patient randomization was stratified based on baseline disease severity as measured by a SALT score of ≥50 or less than 95% (severe) and ≥95 (very severe). Enrollment of very severe patients was capped at 25%.

About REZOLVE-AD Phase 2b Study

The global 393-patient Phase 2b study was conducted in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Patients were randomized (3:3:3:2) to receive subcutaneous treatment with three doses of rezpegaldesleukin: a high dose of 24 µg/kg every two weeks (Q2W), a middle dose of 18 µg/kg every two weeks (Q2W), and a low dose of 24 µg/kg every four weeks (Q4W), or placebo Q2W. The primary endpoint and secondary endpoints were assessed at Week 16. Following the induction period, rezpegaldesleukin-treated patients who achieved EASI percent reductions of at least 50 were re-randomized (1:1) to continue at the same dose level on a Q4W or Q12W regimen through Week 52 in a blinded maintenance period. Placebo patients with EASI percent score reductions of at least 50 continue to receive placebo Q4W.

The REZOLVE-AD trial was initiated in October 2023 and enrolled patients across approximately 110 sites globally. Enrollment included 68% of patients treated in Europe, 16% in the United States, 11% in Canada, and 5% in Australia. Key eligibility criteria included a minimum EASI score of 16.0, Body Surface Area (BSA) involvement of at least 10%, and a vIGA-AD score of at least 3 at screening and randomization.

About Rezpegaldesleukin

Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases cause the immune system to mistakenly attack and damage healthy cells in a person's body. A failure of the body's self-tolerance mechanisms enables the formation of the pathogenic T lymphocytes that conduct this attack. Rezpegaldesleukin is a potential first-in-class resolution therapeutic that may address this underlying immune system imbalance in people with many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. It targets the interleukin-2 receptor complex in the body to stimulate proliferation of immune-modulating cells known as regulatory T cells. By activating these cells, rezpegaldesleukin may act to bring the immune system back into balance.

In February 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation for rezpegaldesleukin for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. In July 2025, the FDA granted Fast Track designation for rezpegaldesleukin for the treatment of severe alopecia areata (AA) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg.

Rezpegaldesleukin is being developed as a self-administered injection for a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It is wholly owned by Nektar Therapeutics.

About Nektar Therapeutics

Nektar Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that address the underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Nektar's lead product candidate, rezpegaldesleukin (REZPEG, or NKTR-358), is a novel, first-in-class regulatory T cell stimulator being evaluated in one Phase 2b clinical trial in atopic dermatitis, one Phase 2b clinical trial in alopecia areata, and one Phase 2 clinical trial in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Nektar's pipeline also includes a preclinical bivalent tumor necrosis factor receptor type II (TNFR2) antibody and bispecific programs, NKTR-0165 and NKTR-0166, and a modified hematopoietic colony stimulating factor (CSF) protein, NKTR-422.

Nektar is headquartered in San Francisco, California. For further information, visit www.nektar.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements which can be identified by words such as: "could," "develop," "potential," "target," "address," "may" and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements regarding the therapeutic potential of, and future development plans for, rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166, and NKTR-422. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: (i) our statements regarding the therapeutic potential of rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166 and NKTR-422 are based on preclinical and clinical findings and observations and are subject to change as research and development continue; (ii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166 and NKTR-422 are investigational agents and continued research and development for these drug candidates is subject to substantial risks, including negative safety and efficacy findings in future clinical studies (notwithstanding positive findings in earlier preclinical and clinical studies); (iii) rezpegaldesleukin, NKTR-0165, NKTR-0166 and NKTR-422are in clinical development and the risk of failure is high and can unexpectedly occur at any stage prior to regulatory approval; (iv) data reported from ongoing clinical trials are necessarily interim data only and the final results will change based on continuing observations; (v) the timing of the commencement or end of clinical trials and the availability of clinical data may be delayed or unsuccessful due to regulatory delays, slower than anticipated patient enrollment, manufacturing challenges, changing standards of care, evolving regulatory requirements, clinical trial design, clinical outcomes, competitive factors, or delay or failure in ultimately obtaining regulatory approval in one or more important markets; (vi) a Fast Track designation does not increase the likelihood that rezpegaldesleukin will receive marketing approval in the United States; (vii) patents may not issue from our patent applications for our drug candidates, patents that have issued may not be enforceable, or additional intellectual property licenses from third parties may be required; and (viii) certain other important risks and uncertainties set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2026. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

For Investors:

Vivian Wu
628-895-0661
VWu@nektar.com

Corey Davis, Ph.D.
LifeSci Advisors
212-915-2577
cdavis@lifesciadvisors.com 

For Media:

Jonathan Pappas
LifeSci Communications
857-205-4403
jpappas@lifescicomms.com 

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SOURCE Nektar Therapeutics

FAQ

What Phase 2b rezpegaldesleukin results will Nektar (NKTR) present at AAD 2026?

Nektar will present 36-week Phase 2b efficacy and safety data for rezpegaldesleukin in alopecia areata. According to the company, presentations include late-breaking 36-week results and severity-dependent atopic dermatitis analyses on March 28, 2026.

When and where will Nektar (NKTR) present rezpegaldesleukin data at the 2026 AAD meeting?

Nektar will present on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the AAD meeting in Denver, Colorado. According to the company, sessions include a late-breaking oral talk at 10:36 AM MST and a poster oral at 11:40 AM MST.

Which rezpegaldesleukin indications will Nektar (NKTR) discuss at the AAD March 2026 presentations?

Nektar will discuss rezpegaldesleukin in alopecia areata and moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. According to the company, one talk covers 36-week alopecia areata results and the other covers severity-dependent atopic dermatitis findings.

Who are the presenters for Nektar's (NKTR) rezpegaldesleukin sessions at AAD 2026?

Presenters are David Rosmarin, MD, for alopecia areata, and Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, for atopic dermatitis. According to the company, both will give oral presentations on March 28, 2026 in Denver.

What is rezpegaldesleukin's mechanism described by Nektar (NKTR) in the AAD announcement?

Rezpegaldesleukin is described as a Treg cell stimulator that targets the IL-2 receptor complex to restore immune balance. According to the company, it preferentially stimulates regulatory T cells without activating cytotoxic CD8+ and CD4+ T cells.

Are the rezpegaldesleukin presentations at AAD 2026 considered late-breaking for Nektar (NKTR)?

Yes, one presentation is designated as a late-breaking research oral presentation. According to the company, the alopecia areata abstract is Late-Breaking Research Oral Presentation (Abstract 79863) on March 28, 2026.