Meta-analysis of recent drug trials for Galderma’s Nemluvio (nemolizumab) have evaluated its efficacy and safety in the treatment of prurigo nodularis (PN), highlighting strong therapeutic potential.

The four evaluated trials, published between 2020 and 2024, studied a total of 859 participants with moderate to severe PN. All four found that nemolizumab demonstrated strong efficacy in the treatment of this condition. Analysis of results showed that patients treated with nemolizumab were 3.52 times more likely to achieve clinically meaningful reduction in itch. Across all four trials, nemolizumab was consistently linked with major improvements in skin clearance.

The short-term safety data of nemolizumab in this indication appeared to be favourable, although complications such as peripheral oedema and nasopharyngitis were reported. The 192-week OLYMPIA LTE trial, which is ongoing, will assess the longer-term safety and tolerability of nemolizumab.

Nemolizumab is a monoclonal antibody designed to target interleukin31 (IL-31) receptor A, which is implicated in chronic inflammatory skin conditions.

PN is a chronic condition characterised by itchy bumps or ‘nodules’ on the skin. Many patients find that their symptoms are not sufficiently managed by standard of care treatments such as topical corticosteroids, systemic immunosuppressants and phototherapy, which largely target inflammation rather than the underlying cause of the condition. When PN is uncontrolled by treatment, it leaves many patients in constant discomfort, limiting their quality of life.

The analysis of the four studies is limited in its scope, due to both the small number of relevant studies and the lack of long-term data (none of the studies had a follow-up duration of more than 32 weeks). However, it raises significant implications for the success of nemolizumab in the treatment of PN, potentially offering hope for patients living with the condition.