Nektar Presents Positive Phase 2b Data for Rezpegaldesleukin in Atopic Dermatitis and Alopecia Areata

Novel T-cell Enhancing Biologic Shows Consistent Efficacy Across Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis and Severe Alopecia Areata

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:10pm by Ben Kaplan

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Nektar Therapeutics presented positive data from two Phase 2b studies of its investigational drug rezpegaldesleukin at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting. The REZOLVE-AD study in 393 patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis showed consistent reductions in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores across all baseline disease severities. The REZOLVE-AA study in 92 patients with severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata demonstrated a mean 28.2% reduction in Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) scores with the high-dose regimen versus 11.2% with placebo at 36 weeks.

Why it matters

The consistent efficacy of rezpegaldesleukin across different disease severities in atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata suggests its novel mechanism of action, targeting regulatory T cells, may provide a more comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying immune imbalance in these conditions compared to current standard-of-care biologics. These positive results support Nektar's plans to advance rezpegaldesleukin into Phase 3 trials for both indications.

The details

In the REZOLVE-AD study, patients receiving rezpegaldesleukin showed comparable improvements in EASI-75 and EASI-90 responses regardless of baseline disease severity. The drug also demonstrated consistent efficacy across geographic regions. In the REZOLVE-AA study, the high-dose 24 μg/kg regimen given every two weeks resulted in a mean 28.2% reduction in SALT scores at 36 weeks, significantly better than the 11.2% reduction seen with placebo. Rezpegaldesleukin was well-tolerated in both studies.

  • Nektar plans to initiate the Phase 3 ZENITH-AD program of rezpegaldesleukin in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in Q2 2026.
  • The REZOLVE-AA study included a 16-week treatment extension to evaluate the potential for deeper SALT score improvements over time.

The players

Raj Chovatiya, MD, PhD, MSCI, FAAD

Associate Professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School and Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Dermatology and Immunology Research.

David Rosmarin, MD

Chair, Department of Dermatology and Associate Professor of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine.

Nektar Therapeutics

A clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments that address the underlying immunological dysfunction in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases.

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What they’re saying

“The consistency of EASI responses with rezpegaldesleukin across baseline disease severity further differentiates it from the standard of care biologic treatment, which can have lower response rates in more severe patients as compared to moderate patients.”

— Raj Chovatiya, Associate Professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Chicago Medical School and Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Dermatology and Immunology Research

“The clear activity of rezpegaldesleukin in alopecia areata builds on prior results in atopic dermatitis and reinforces the broader potential of this approach across T cell-driven inflammatory diseases.”

— David Rosmarin, Chair, Department of Dermatology and Associate Professor of Dermatology, Indiana University School of Medicine

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

These positive Phase 2b results for rezpegaldesleukin in atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata suggest its novel mechanism of action targeting regulatory T cells could provide a more comprehensive approach to addressing the underlying immune imbalance in these conditions compared to current standard-of-care biologics.