Press Release: Sanofi and Regeneron's Dupixent approved in Japan as the first targeted medicine to treat adults with bullous pemphigoid
Administrator Selasa, 24 Maret 2026 21:00 WIB
Sanofi and Regeneron's Dupixent approved in Japan as the first targeted medicine to treat adults with bullous pemphigoid
- Approval in moderate-to-severe patients was based on pivotal study results showing over four times more Dupixent patients experienced sustained disease remission through Week 36 compared with placebo
- BP is a chronic, relapsing skin disease with underlying type 2 inflammation characterized by intense itch alongside painful blisters and other lesions
- BP is the seventh approved indication for Dupixent in Japan
Paris and Tarrytown, NY, March 24, 2026. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan has granted marketing and manufacturing authorization for Dupixent (dupilumab) for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe bullous pemphigoid (BP).
The approval in Japan is based on data from the pivotal LIBERTY-BP-ADEPT phase 2/3 study (clinical study identifier: NCT04206553), which evaluated Dupixent in adults with moderate-to-severe BP. Patients were randomized to receive Dupixent 300 mg (n=53) or placebo (n=53) added to standard-of-care oral corticosteroids (OCS). During treatment, all patients underwent a protocol-defined OCS tapering regimen if control of disease activity was maintained. For the primary endpoint, more than four times as many patients on Dupixent experienced sustained disease remission compared to placebo (18% vs. 4%; p=0.0250) at Week 36 in the companies' core dataset used for the regulatory submission in Japan.
Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 26% of Dupixent patients and 15% of placebo patients. The treatment-related AE most commonly reported with Dupixent was conjunctivitis (4%).
In addition to BP, Dupixent is approved in Japan in certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), prurigo nodularis, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
About BP
BP
is a rare skin disease that primarily affects elderly patients, and is
characterized by intense itch, painful blisters, and lesions, as well as
reddening of the skin. It can be chronic and relapsing with underlying
type 2 inflammation. The blisters and rash can form over much of the
body and cause the skin to bleed and break down, resulting in patients
being more prone to infection and affecting their daily functioning.
Available treatment options are limited and can add to overall disease
burden by suppressing a patient's immune system.
About ADEPT
ADEPT
was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 study
evaluating the efficacy and safety of Dupixent in 106 adults with
moderate-to-severe BP for a 52-week treatment period. After
randomization, patients received Dupixent or placebo every two weeks
(Q2W) after an initial loading dose, along with OCS treatment. During
treatment, OCS taper was initiated after patients experienced two weeks
of sustained control of disease activity. OCS tapering could start
between four to six weeks after randomization and was continued if
disease control was maintained, with the intent of completion by Week
16. After OCS tapering, patients were only treated with Dupixent or
placebo for the rest of the study (rescue treatment could be used if
required).
The primary endpoint evaluated the proportion of patients achieving sustained disease remission at Week 36. Sustained disease remission was defined as complete clinical remission with completion of OCS taper by Week 16 without relapse after completion of the OCS taper and no rescue therapy use during the 36-week treatment period. Relapse was defined as appearance of ≥3 new lesions a month or ≥1 large lesion or urticarial plaque (>10 cm in diameter) that did not heal within a week. Rescue therapy could include treatment with high-potency topical corticosteroids, OCS (including increase of OCS dose during the taper or re-initiation of OCS after completion of the OCS taper), or systemic non-steroidal immunosuppressive medications or immunomodulating biologics.
About Dupixent
Dupixent
(dupilumab) is now available in Japan as a 300 mg pre-filled syringe or
pre-filled pen for adults with BP. Dupixent is intended for injection
under the skin (subcutaneous injection) and is given Q2W after an
initial loading dose. It can be given in a clinic or at home by
self-administration after training by a healthcare professional.
Dupixent is a fully human monoclonal antibody that inhibits the signaling of the interleukin-4 (IL4) and interleukin-13 (IL13) pathways and is not an immunosuppressant. The Dupixent development program has shown significant clinical benefit and a decrease in type 2 inflammation in phase 3 studies, establishing that IL4 and IL13 are two of the key and central drivers of the type 2 inflammation that plays a major role in multiple related and often co-morbid diseases.
Dupixent has received regulatory approvals in more than 60 countries in one or more indications including certain patients with atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, eosinophilic esophagitis, prurigo nodularis, CSU, COPD, BP, and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis in different age populations. More than 1.4 million patients are being treated with Dupixent globally.
Dupilumab development program
Dupilumab
is being jointly developed by Sanofi and Regeneron under a global
collaboration agreement. To date, dupilumab has been studied across more
than 60 clinical studies involving more than 12,000 patients with
various chronic diseases driven in part by type 2 inflammation.
In addition to the currently approved indications, Sanofi and Regeneron are studying dupilumab in a broad range of diseases driven by type 2 inflammation or other allergic processes in phase 3 studies, including chronic pruritus of unknown origin and lichen simplex chronicus. These potential uses of dupilumab are currently under clinical investigation, and the safety and efficacy in these conditions have not been fully evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Regeneron
Regeneron
(NASDAQ: REGN) is a leading biotechnology company that invents,
develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with
serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique
ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine
has led to numerous approved treatments and product candidates in
development, most of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our
medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases,
allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic
diseases, neurological diseases, hematologic conditions, infectious
diseases, and rare diseases.
Regeneron pushes the boundaries of scientific discovery and accelerates drug development using our proprietary technologies, such as VelociSuite, which produces optimized fully human antibodies and new classes of bispecific antibodies. We are shaping the next frontier of medicine with data-powered insights from the Regeneron Genetics Center and pioneering genetic medicine platforms, enabling us to identify innovative targets and complementary approaches to potentially treat or cure diseases.
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About Sanofi
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is an R&D driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to
improving people's lives and delivering compelling growth. We apply our
deep understanding of the immune system to invent medicines and vaccines
that treat and protect millions of people around the world, with an
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Sanofi is listed on EURONEXT: SAN and NASDAQ: SNY.
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