European Commission Clears Litfulo, Pfizer’s Alopecia Areata Treatment

Image Credit: Adobe Stock Images/meyer_solutions

Pfizer announced in a company press release that the European Commission (EC) has approved the marketing authorization for Litfulo (ritlecitinib), indicated for the treatment of patients aged 12 and up with severe alopecia areata. At this time, the medication is the only alopecia areata treatment authorized by the EC for individuals as young as 12 years old, and also the only one to selectively inhibit Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) and the tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (TEC) family of kinases.

“Today’s approval of LITFULO in Europe is an important milestone for patients as young as 12 years of age with substantial hair loss from alopecia areata, as they now have an opportunity to achieve significant hair regrowth,” said Angela Hwang, chief commercial officer, president, global biopharmaceuticals business, Pfizer. “Previously, there were no treatment options approved by the EC for adolescents with severe alopecia areata, and Pfizer is proud to be bringing forward this new innovative medicine for patients living with the challenges brought by this autoimmune disease.”

Reference: European Commission Approves Pfizer’s LITFULO™ for Adolescents and Adults With Severe Alopecia Areata. Pfizer. September 19, 2023. Accessed September 21, 2023. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/european-commission-approves-pfizers-litfulotm-adolescents