News

New Drug Made in S’pore Could Give Full Relief For Eczema Symptoms Like Itchiness & Redness

2019-10-23 , 12:00 pm

You know that pesky friend who clings to you like cellophane, bugging you throughout the day, every day of the week?

Eczema is kind of like that.

Just like your annoying friend who sends you a chain message to wake you up in the morning, Eczema wakes you up with stinging skin.

And just like your irritating friend who calls you to talk about golf for an hour just when you’re about to sleep, Eczema keeps you up at night with its itches.

If you already have eczema, you’re thinking Well, YEAH, thanks for making me more depressed about my condition.

Well, fortunately, I come bearing good news.

New Drug In S’pore Could Give Full Relief For Eczema Symptoms Like Itchiness & Redness

If you or someone you know suffers from eczema, you probably know how ineffective the medications and creams are.

Those who’ve visited a doctor or even gone to a dermatologist will know that they usually just chant the word MOISTURIZE like they’re part of some strange cream cult. Then they’ll throw some steroid creams at your face and send you on your way.

I know many may not see a problem with this, but steroid creams can have severe side-effects if used for a long period of time, such as:

thinning of the skin
skin redness/burning/itching/peeling
weakened immune system
sight-threatening glaucoma

Yes, these side-effects can be scary.

Thankfully, one biopharmaceutical company has created a new therapeutic antibody that could alleviate eczema symptoms like redness and itching without these horrible side-effects; an eczema assassin called Aslan004.

Aslan004

Skin: Guys, we’re getting murder by eczema out here, we need reinforcements!

Aslan Pharmaceuticals: Alright guys, I think it’s time… send in Aslan 004.

While it sounds more like a virus a hacker would install in your laptop, Aslan004 is a new drug that can inhibit proteins that are key to triggering eczema symptoms such as redness and itchiness.

And according to The Straits Times, it’s a biologic, which means it’s a product that is produced from living organisms or contains components of living organisms using biotechnology.

That means it won’t have adverse side-effects.

Clinical trial

The first part of the study of the drug was completed in June 2019. At this stage, the dosage of drug was increased for every new cohort.

And, fortunately, it had positive results – the drug was well tolerated at all doses.

But that’s not all: further analysis showed that there was potential for the drug to be administered once every month.

Now, I’m sure if you suffer from eczema, you’re probably getting excited reading all this. But while the drug looks promising, it’s still in the early stages of the clinical trial.

Second stage involves placebos

On Tuesday (Oct 22), Aslan announced that they will be progressing to the second stage of the trial where they will test eczema patients in a randomised manner.

This second stage will also be “placebo-controlled” which means some people may receive a substance that has no therapeutic effect on their skin condition just to check if it’s all in the mind or not.

MAD

This will also be a MAD study, which sounds like it’ll be a lit af clinical trial, but actually means Multiple Ascending Dose study in the biopharmaceutical world.

The MAD study will assess three doses of the drug, administered subcutaneously (under the skin) to up to 50 moderate to severe eczema patients.

The test will be conducted at Singapore’s National Skin Centre and Changi General Hospital.

2020

Ok, Goody Feed writer you’ve said enough, tell me when the hell this thing is coming out!

According to the Straits Times, results are expected in the second half of 2020, but there is no anticipated date of release yet.

Prof Steven Thng, a dermatologist at the National Skin Centre, said that while it was “highly unlikely” to find a cure for eczema, Aslan004 could help manage and treat symptoms.

As an eczema sufferer, I’m certainly glad that there’s a new drug that could potentially make my life a whole lot easier.

You better be afraid, eczema, Aslan004 is coming for you.