HCW Biologics Inc. announced positive preliminary data from its Phase 1 clinical trial for HCW9302. HCW9302 is an immunotherapeutic for alopecia areata. The study's second dose cohort included three patients. All three patients experienced at least a 25% reduction in hair loss severity scores. This reduction occurred four and/or nine weeks after a single dose.
The company reported the treatment was well-tolerated. It showed no serious adverse events commonly associated with IL-2 therapies, including capillary leak or cytokine release syndromes. Reported side effects were mild and temporary. They primarily involved injection-site reactions. HCW Biologics continues dose escalation in the trial. The company anticipates establishing a recommended Phase 2 dose by the end of 2026.