EVO301 Shows Promise in Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis – Phase 2a Results

A novel injectable biologic, EVO301, demonstrated significant improvements in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in a phase 2a clinical trial, according to data released by Evommune on February 25, 2026. The drug, an interleukin-18 binding protein, rapidly reduced symptoms over a 12-week period.

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 70 participants, with 48 receiving EVO301 and 22 receiving a placebo. Participants in the treatment group received 5 mg intravenous doses on days 1, and 28. The primary endpoint measured the percentage improvement in baseline EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index) scores.

Results indicated that patients treated with EVO301 experienced a 41% reduction in EASI scores at week 4, increasing to 50% at week 8 and 55% at week 12. The placebo group saw reductions of 18%, 16%, and 22% respectively over the same timeframes. These differences were statistically significant, with placebo-adjusted EASI reductions of 23% at week 4 (P < .01), 34% at week 8 (P < .01), and 33% at week 12 (P < .01).

In addition to EASI score improvements, 23% of participants receiving EVO301 achieved an Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1, representing clear or almost clear skin, along with a two-point or greater reduction from their baseline score. No participants in the placebo group achieved this outcome.

“The results with this anti-IL-18 are very promising,” said Dr. Mark Lebwohl, dean for clinical therapeutics and professor and chairman emeritus of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “These are phase 2 data with a small number of participants, but the results that we are seeing are a complete surprise.” Dr. Lebwohl, who has financial relationships with Eli Lilly and other pharmaceutical companies, added that the efficacy observed with EVO301 is comparable to that of established treatments currently available for atopic dermatitis.

EVO301 was found to be well-tolerated in the trial. No serious or severe adverse events related to the drug were reported, and no participants discontinued treatment due to adverse events. The incidence of adverse events was similar between the EVO301 and placebo groups.

Evommune is planning to initiate a phase 2b dose-ranging trial utilizing a subcutaneous formulation of EVO301. The full results from the phase 2a trial are expected to be presented at an upcoming medical conference, according to the company’s press release.