First JAK inhibitor to become available for veterinary use

A new treatment for the itch and inflammation associated with allergic skin disease in dogs has been approved by the European Commission.

Developed by Zoetis (formerly Pfizer), new drug APOQUEL (oclacitinib tablet) is for the treatment of the clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis, and pruritis associated with allergic dermatitis in dogs of at least 12 months of age.

This treatment is aimed at stopping the cycle of itch and inflammation occurring in skin allergies by inhibiting the function of a range of allergic, itch and inflammatory cytokines which depend on Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes.

According to the animal health company, pruritis, or itch, is the most common symptom of allergic skin disease in dogs. The new drug is the first JAK inhibitor to be approved for veterinary use.

During clinical trials, pet owners reported a decrease in itch scores in their dog as quickly as 24-hours after the treatment was administered.

Veterinary surgeons who assessed skin lesion scores found they were significantly improved after one week and continued to improve for the next four months of the study.

The company says an estimated 5 million dogs in Europe suffer from both short and long-term allergic skin conditions, yet current treatments are limited.

The most common side effects to be reported in clinical trials for the product were vomiting and diarrhoea. Other side effects included lethargy, decreased appetite and skin irritation and infection.

The new treatment is to be available on prescription by a veterinary surgeon only, and dosed at 0.4 to 0.6mg/kg. Tablets are administered orally twice a day for 14 days, then once daily if medium or long-term treatment is needed.

The company plans to make the treatment available to veterinary surgeons in the European Union in 2014.

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