Atopic Dermatitis

Unmet need for an effective and safe topical therapy

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, characterised by intensely itchy, red and swollen skin.¹ There is an unmet need for treatments that address itch and inflammation in mild-to-moderate patients, with fewer side effects than steroid creams and various inhibitor treatments that are currently the dominant forms of treatment.

Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial results and status

BEN-2293, a selective inhibitor of the three tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) receptors (TrkA, TrkB and TrkC) formulated to be administered topically, is being evaluated in adults with mild-to-moderate AD in a Phase Ib/IIa double-blind, placebo-controlled, first-in-patient, two-part clinical study. The Phase Ib safety and tolerability portion of the study in 32 patients was successfully completed in December 2021. Although the Phase Ib part of the study was not powered to assess efficacy, there was a trend towards a clinically meaningful effect in skin treated with BEN-2293 (reduction from baseline in the percent body surface area affected). Data from the Phase IIa portion in 90 patients is expected early in 2023.

Trk receptor biology and BEN-2293 expected mechanism of action

‍We identified the role of the Trk receptors as mediators of both itch and inflammation in AD. Inhibition of TrkA is expected to suppress the itch reflex, while inhibition of TrkB and TrkC should reduce inflammation. Thus we expect BEN-2293 to both provide symptomatic relief and reverse disease progression.

Preclinical validation of pan-Trk inhibition in AD

BEN-2293 dose dependently inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF and IL-4, from activated human primary mononuclear cells. Topical application of a pan-Trk inhibitor from the BEN-2293 series significantly reduced ear inflammation in a mouse model of chemically-induced skin inflammation, performing comparably well to a topical steroid ointment.