The investigational drug abrocitinib is safe and effective for treating moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents and adults, an industry trial shows.

Patients 12 years and older on daily oral doses for 12 weeks had greater improvements in itchiness and more extensive skin clearance compared with those on placebo, the authors report in JAMA Dermatology.

The study replicates a previous phase-3 trial, JADE MONO-1, of the oral, once-daily selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1.

In March, Pfizer reported the results of JADE COMPARE, which found the drug’s efficacy and safety profile were similar to dupilumab, a systemic treatment for atopic dermatitis administered by subcutaneous injection.