Sun Pharma Delayed Release of Leqselvi for Alopecia Areata

Sun Pharma has had to delay the release of their JAK inhibitor deuruxolitinib (Leqselvi) thanks to an injunction from biopharma company Incyte. Incyte sells a JAK inhibitor called ruxolitinib, which is approved for non-hair loss-related indications like some blood cancers and graft-versus-host disease and as a topical for atopic dermatitis and vitiligo. Incyte claims that Leqselvi is structurally the same as ruxolitinib and, therefore, treads on their patent – which doesn’t expire until 2026.

Sun Pharma will appeal the injunction; however, if they lose the appeal, they could be waiting until patent expiration before they can release their drug.