Topical agents are considered as the primary treatment for mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Most commonly, they comprise topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Branded options also include the topical PDE4 inhibitor Eucrisa and Zoryve cream, while topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor Opzelura represents a different mechanism of action. 

The success of Sanofi and Regeneron’s IL-4 receptor alpha antagonist Dupixent (dupilumab) has established the Th2 immune axis as a significant pathway in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. As the first biologic approved in the US, Dupixent has maintained its leading position since 2017, surpassing the efficacy of the second approved biologic, Adbry (tralokinumab), which targets the IL-13 cytokine. However, this dominance is set to be challenged by Eli Lilly’s Ebglyss (lebrikizumab), an anti-IL-13 antibody approved in September 2024 that offers comparable efficacy and a more favorable safety profile alongside more convenient administration as a once-monthly injection. While ASLAN’s eblasakimab was initially considered a competitor to Dupixent, the company has faced financial difficulties and was delisted from the NASDAQ in July 2024.