Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07453602

Ph 1a/1b Single Ascending Dose and Multiple Ascending Dose Study of ARQ-234

This is a first-in-human, Phase 1, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study evaluating ARQ-234. The study is designed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of ARQ-234 in two populations: healthy volunteers and participants with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Healthy volunteers will participate in Single Ascending Dose (SAD) Cohorts 1-5. Participants with moderate to severe AD will be enrolled in SAD Cohorts 6-7, Multiple Ascending Dose (MAD) Cohorts, and a Proof-of-Concept (POC) expansion cohort.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

Clinical Site 101

Fair Lawn, New Jersey, 07410, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Clinical Site 101

CONTACT

[email protected]

1-844-692-6729

About this study

The study consists of 3 parts with staggered initiation:

  • Part A - Phase 1a SAD: ARQ-234 will be assessed in single ascending dose cohorts in healthy volunteer participants and participants with atopic dermatitis.
  • Part B - Phase 1b MAD: ARQ-234 will be assessed in multiple ascending cohorts in participants with atopic dermatitis.
  • Part C - Phase 1b POC Expansion: ARQ-234 will be assessed in participants with atopic dermatitis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

(All Participants):

  • Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
  • Adults 18-65 years (inclusive) at consent.
  • Generally healthy at screening/baseline (no clinically significant findings on medical history, exam, vitals, ECG, or safety labs, per investigator).
  • Contraception requirements: Females of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy tests at screening and baseline and agree to use highly effective contraception (plus barrier method) during the study and for 4 months after last dose. Males if sexually active with a pregnant partner or a female of childbearing potential, agree to condom use during the study and for 4 months after last dose.
  • Body weight by study part: Part A (SAD) & Part B (MAD): 50-100 kg (inclusive), Part C (POC): 50-125 kg (inclusive)

Inclusion criteria

for atopic dermatitis (AD) Participants (Parts A Cohorts 6-7, Part B, Part C):

  • Diagnosis of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis for ≥ 6 months prior to screening.
  • Meets minimum disease severity at baseline: Part A Cohorts 6-7: BSA ≥7%, vIGA-AD 3-4, EASI ≥10 at Baseline, Parts B and C: BSA ≥10%, vIGA-AD 3-4, EASI ≥16 at Baseline.
  • Inadequate response, intolerance, or medical inappropriateness of topical AD therapies (and/or prior systemic AD therapy failure within the last year may qualify as inadequate response).

Exclusion criteria

(All Participants):

  • Any clinically significant medical or psychiatric condition that could increase risk, interfere with participation, or confound results (per investigator).
  • Significant renal impairment or clinically significant hepatic impairment (per protocol/part-specific definitions).
  • Clinically significant cytopenias or clinically significant abnormal liver tests at screening (per protocol).
  • History of anaphylaxis/serious hypersensitivity (including significant hypersensitivity to local anesthetics).
  • History of attempted suicide or significant current risk, per investigator).
  • Chronic or significant infection history or positive screening tests for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, or tuberculosis (including positive QuantiFERON or history of active/latent TB).
  • Known/suspected immunosuppression or history of invasive opportunistic infections or unusually frequent/recurrent/prolonged infections (per investigator).
  • Recent herpes zoster that poses risk or may affect interpretation (per investigator).
  • Malignancy within 5 years prior to screening
  • Positive urine drug screen at screening (Part A/Part B only) or drug/alcohol abuse within 12 months, or other condition likely to impair compliance (per investigator).
  • Unable to discontinue prohibited medications/treatments per protocol.
  • Major surgery within 4 weeks prior to baseline or planned during participation.
  • Participation in another trial or receipt of investigational product within 12 weeks (or 5 half-lives, whichever longer) before baseline.
  • Prior cell-depleting therapy (e.g., rituximab) within 6 months prior to baseline (or until lymphocytes normalize, whichever longer).
  • Blood products within 4 weeks prior to baseline or planned during participation.
  • Live (attenuated) vaccines within 28 days prior to baseline or planned during the study.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study or within 4 months after last dose.
  • Known/suspected allergy to ARQ-234 or its excipients.
  • Unable to communicate/understand the local language or otherwise unsuitable per investigator.
  • Family member of study staff or sponsor.

Exclusion criteria

for atopic dermatitis (AD) Participants (Parts A Cohorts 6-7, Part B, Part C):

  • Skin disease(s) other than AD that would interfere with assessments.
  • Active systemic/local infection, including actively infected AD, or infection requiring oral/IV antimicrobials within 14 days before baseline.
  • Phototherapy/tanning bed use within 4 weeks prior to baseline.
  • Biologic therapy for AD within 3 months or 5 half-lives (whichever longer) prior to baseline.
  • Expected need for rescue therapy for AD within the first 2 weeks after baseline.
  • History of eczema herpeticum within 12 months or ≥2 prior episodes.

Treatment and study plan

ARQ-234

Biological

ARQ-234 subcutaneous injectable solution

Placebo

Drug

Placebo subcutaneous injectable solution

Primary outcomes

  1. Number and percentage of participants who experience an adverse event (AE) or serious adverse event (SAE)

    Time frame: From screening to the last follow up visit for each study part (Part A: 16 weeks, Part B: 30 weeks, Part C: 30 weeks)

  2. Percent change from Baseline in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, a validated measure of disease severity in atopic dermatitis.

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

Secondary outcomes

  1. Serum concentrations of study drug to characterize the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  2. Percentage of participants achieving at least a 50% improvement from baseline in EASI total score (EASI-50)

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  3. Percentage of participants achieving at least a 75% improvement from baseline in EASI total score (EASI-75)

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  4. Absolute change and percent change from baseline in the percentage of body surface area affected by atopic dermatitis

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  5. Absolute change and percent change from baseline in itch severity as measured by the Itch Numeric Rating Scale

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  6. Absolute change and percent change from baseline in SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  7. Percentage of participants achieving at least a 50% improvement from baseline in SCORAD total score

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  8. Percentage of participants achieving at least a 75% improvement from baseline in SCORAD score

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  9. Absolute change and percent change from baseline in Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) score

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  10. Percentage of participants achieving a Validated Investigator's Global Assessment (vIGA-AD) score of 0 (Clear) or 1 (Almost Clear) with at least a 2-grade improvement from baseline

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

  11. Percentage of participants with a vIGA-AD score of 0 (Clear)

    Time frame: From Baseline to Week 16

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Arcutis Medical Information

CONTACT

[email protected]

1-844-692-6729

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

A Phase 1a/1b, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose and Multiple Ascending Dose Study of ARQ-234 in Healthy Volunteers and Subjects With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Mar 6, 2026
Registry last updated
May 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.