Nektar's Rezpegaldesleukin Shows Early Immune-Pathway Changes in Phase 2b Atopic Dermatitis Trial; NKTR Up 2.97%

Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) reported biomarker data on September 30, 2026, showing its investigational biologic rezpegaldesleukin produced molecular changes across multiple immune pathways as early as Week 2 in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. The stock rose 2.97% to $61.00. The Phase 2b REZOLVE-AD multi-omic sub-study analyzed blood and skin samples from 100 patients over a 16-week induction period, including 59 receiving the planned Phase 3 dose of 24 µg/kg every two weeks and 41 on placebo. Rezpegaldesleukin significantly increased Treg-associated markers FOXP3 and IL2RA, with changes across Th1, Th2, Th17 and JAK-STAT pathways. Early serum changes—higher IL-10 and TGFβ1, lower CCL17/TARC—correlated with Week 16 EASI improvements (mean 64% reduction in the molecular cohort), statistically significant only in treated patients. Findings were presented at the 2026 EADV Congress in Vienna. The FDA has granted Fast Track designation. NKTR has traded between $33.40 and $109 over the past year.