LEO Pharma has received Technology Appraisal Guidance (TAG) from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for Anzupgo (delgocitinib) cream, marking it as the first NICE-approved topical treatment for moderate to severe chronic hand eczema (CHE) in adults when corticosteroids are ineffective or unsuitable.

CHE is a persistent skin condition causing itching, pain, redness, and irritation on the hands and wrists, often lasting months or recurring multiple times a year. It affects around one in ten adults, with severe cases impairing daily activities, employment, and overall quality of life. The condition stems from a combination of factors, including chronic inflammation, weakened skin barriers, and alterations in the skin microbiome.

Anzupgo is a topical pan-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that targets the JAK-STAT signalling pathway, a central driver in CHE pathogenesis. The NICE recommendation was supported by evidence from the DELTA 1, DELTA 2, and DELTA 3 phase 3 trials, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of Anzupgo versus placebo, as well as the DELTA FORCE trial assessing its use alongside alitretinoin capsules. Across studies, Anzupgo demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in Investigator’s Global Assessment for Chronic Hand Eczema Treatment Success (IGA-CHE TS) and Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) scores.

Leanne Walsh, Vice President and General Manager of LEO Pharma UK and Ireland, described the approval as a “huge moment” for people living with CHE, highlighting NICE’s recognition of equitable care and the importance of addressing how the condition presents across different skin tones.

The TAG approval opens the path for reimbursement in the NHS, providing patients with a clinically validated treatment option where conventional therapies have failed.

Explore how Anzupgo is set to transform care for chronic hand eczema patients in the full article.