Tralokinumab: First Approval

Tralokinumab (Adtralza ® ) is a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody being developed by LEO Pharma for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. The T-helper cytokine IL-13 is thought to play a key role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Tralokinumab specifically binds with high affinity to IL-13, inhibiting its interaction with the IL-13 receptor and thereby neutralising the biological activity of the cytokine. Based on results from the ECZTRA 1-3 trials, tralokinumab has recently been approved in the EU for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult patients who are candidates for systemic therapy. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of tralokinumab leading to this first approval for atopic dermatitis.