Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin affecting up to 20% of children and 3% of adults, with an increasing prevalence in industrialised countries. Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is a multifactorial disease and its pathophysiology has been linked to (genetic) modification of skin barrier function, bacterial colonisation and inflammation.
Atopic dermatitis patients complain of dry, inflamed, and itchy skin that typically affects the face, inside of the elbows and back of the knees. Treatments for mild cases focus on symptom relief and general skin care. For those with moderate to severe disease, topical (applied to the skin) corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment, but there are risks associated with their long-term use. Topical calcineurin inhibitors have been used since 2000/2001 for adults and children older than 2 years with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis who are not adequately responsive to or are intolerant of conventional therapies such as topical corticosteroids. However, some patients using topical calcineurin inhibitors experience stinging sensation at the site of application, and there are other safety risks linked with them. Therefore, there remains a need for better topical treatments that meet patient needs across the spectrum of atopic dermatitis.
Blueberry is developing a new treatment for atopic dermatitis (BB0107) that aims to target both the inflammation and bacterial infections associated with the condition. By using our nanodelivery platform technology to enhance topical drug delivery, the aim is to allow lower doses of active drug to be administered, with the potential to improve safety.