By Connor Hart

Nektar Therapeutics on Monday disclosed results from a midstage study of its treatment for severe alopecia areata, a disease that causes a patient's own immune system to attack hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

The clinical-stage biotechnology company said data from the study shows the treatment, rezpegaldesleukin, has potential to deliver meaningful clinical outcomes for patients with severe to very severe alopecia areata.

More than a third of patients receiving the treatment saw at least a 50% improvement in severity of alopecia tool scores after 52 weeks, compared with placebo, Nektar said. And nearly half of patients achieved a 30% improvement in severity of alopecia tool scores after 52 weeks, the company said.

"We are excited that rezpegaldesleukin has now demonstrated great promise in two large immune-mediated disease settings as we advance into registrational trials," Chief Executive Howard Robin said.

The treatment was well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with previously reported results, Nektar said. The company plans to submit the study results for presentation at a medical conference this year, it added.

Write to Connor Hart at connor.hart@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 20, 2026 08:02 ET (12:02 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.