First UK patient recruited to new eczema drug trial

The first UK patient has been recruited to take part in a clinical trial for a new drug for adults with severe eczema, an NHS trust said.

Researchers in Walsall recruited the patient to the global clinical trial which is currently in its second phase.

Dr James Halpern, from Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said the medication was "potentially highly effective" for people with the "debilitating condition".

The trial will last for up to 36 weeks and participants will visit a clinic 17 times in total for the treatment, which is an injection just under the skin.

The trial is looking at a new drug, LEO 138559, for the treatment of moderate to severe eczema.

Eczema is a chronic disease that causes inflammation, redness, and irritation of the skin.

The NHS trust said researchers did not know what caused eczema but they did know that genes, the immune system and the environment played a role in the disease.

"We are really proud to have recruited the first patient in the UK to this exciting phase II commercial clinical trial," Dr Halpern said.

"Our success in previous clinical trials has led to major pharmaceutical companies actively seeking to work with us and delivering huge benefits to our local population."