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.

A better understanding of heme trafficking could lead to drug targets in metabolic diseases, anemias, porphyrias, hemolytic diseases such as sickle cell disease – even parasitic infections.