Annapolis, Maryland, United States, November 9, 2026
Alphyn Biologics, Inc., a clinical-stage dermatology company, has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed research article highlighting the need for topical treatments that address multiple biological factors involved in atopic dermatitis (AD). Published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD), the article identifies limitations in existing topical treatment approaches and discusses the potential of Alphyn’s investigational Zabalafin Hydrogel as a multi-target therapeutic candidate. The publication reviews scientific literature covering January 2015 through July 2025, with particular attention to treatment safety and efficacy. Its authors conclude that relatively few existing topical therapies directly address the full range of disease-related mechanisms involved in atopic dermatitis. Zabalafin Hydrogel is discussed as an emerging candidate with potential anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, antimicrobial and anti-xerotic properties. The announcement is an important development for Alphyn’s dermatology research programme, particularly as the company evaluates its investigational topical formulation following completion of a Phase 2b clinical trial in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis.
Research Identifies Gaps in Existing Topical Therapies
The research article, titled “The Essential Role of Topical Targeted Therapy in Atopic Dermatitis,” was authored by dermatology specialists Peter Lio, Latanya Benjamin, Mercedes Gonzalez, Sophie Guénin, Adelaide Hebert, Pearl Kwong, Nanette Silverberg and Lawrence Schachner. The authors reviewed published scientific evidence to examine the role of topical treatments in managing atopic dermatitis and the different biological processes contributing to the condition. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by itching, dryness, skin-barrier disruption and recurring inflammatory flares. Its development and progression involve several interconnected mechanisms rather than a single biological pathway. Inflammation contributes to redness and irritation, while persistent itching can lead to scratching and further damage to the skin barrier. Changes in the skin microbiome may also contribute to disease complications and symptom recurrence. The article highlights that many available topical treatments primarily target selected aspects of the disease, leaving other contributing factors insufficiently addressed. The authors emphasize the importance of topical therapy in dermatological care and the need for treatment approaches that consider the broader disease process. Their review identifies Zabalafin Hydrogel as a potential multi-target candidate, although the publication is a literature review and does not establish clinical superiority or prove the candidate’s effectiveness.
Zabalafin Hydrogel Explores a Multi-Target Approach
Zabalafin Hydrogel is an investigational botanical topical drug candidate developed using Alphyn Biologics’ proprietary Multi-Target Therapeutics platform. The formulation contains multiple bioactive compounds intended to act through different mechanisms associated with atopic dermatitis. Its proposed therapeutic approach focuses on four important disease-related factors: inflammation, itching, microbial imbalance and dry skin. By addressing these interconnected problems, Alphyn aims to develop a topical treatment that may provide broader disease management than approaches directed at individual symptoms. Peter Lio, a board-certified dermatologist and one of the research paper’s authors, highlighted that inflammation, itching, skin dryness, barrier damage and microbiome imbalance can reinforce one another in atopic dermatitis. He noted that emerging evidence suggests Zabalafin may act on several of these disease drivers simultaneously. The candidate’s potential antimicrobial activity is particularly relevant to research involving skin microbiome balance, while its proposed anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic properties address two major features of the condition. Its anti-xerotic properties are intended to address dryness associated with impaired skin-barrier function. However, these properties should be understood as proposed therapeutic characteristics supported by emerging evidence, not as established clinical benefits.
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Phase 2b Trial Completed as Development Advances
Alphyn reported that its Phase 2b clinical trial of Zabalafin Hydrogel in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis concluded in July 2026, with the results currently undergoing evaluation. The completion of this study represents an important milestone in the candidate’s clinical development. The company has not disclosed the Phase 2b efficacy and safety results in the November announcement, so conclusions about clinical performance should await the release of the trial findings. Beyond atopic dermatitis, Alphyn is also applying its multi-target drug development strategy to molluscum contagiosum, a contagious viral skin disease that predominantly affects children. The company believes its platform may support the development of topical treatments for complex dermatological conditions involving multiple disease mechanisms and symptoms. The publication in JDD adds scientific discussion to the growing interest in multi-target approaches to skin disease management. Further clinical evidence will be necessary to determine whether Zabalafin Hydrogel can translate its proposed biological properties into meaningful improvements for patients. The company’s next development milestones, including the evaluation of Phase 2b results, will be important in determining the future direction of the programme.
Source: Alphyn Biologics press release
