The Australian company is steadily growing its photoprotective drug in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria but also sees a big opportunity in the pigment loss disorder.

Opzelura, already approved for atopic dermatitis, gives Incyte a second indication for its topical JAK inhibitor. It is the first treatment approved for vitiligo.

Incyte’s topical JAK inhibitor carries a class-wide severe safety warning and cautions against chronic use, but 52-week results could ease the way for the potential vitiligo indication.

Dermatologists have compared the current market for vitiligo to that of psoriasis 30 years ago, which grew from one with a dearth of therapies to one worth about $8bn.