CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) announced plans to present the first clinical data from a Phase 1/1b trial evaluating ZL-1503, an experimental antibody therapy being developed to treat atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
The findings will be presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting, scheduled for November 12-16 in Phoenix, Arizona.
ZL-1503 is an investigational, long-acting bispecific antibody designed to simultaneously block interleukin-13 (IL-13) and interleukin-31 receptor alpha (IL-31Rα), two signaling pathways involved in inflammation and itching associated with atopic diseases.
“Atopic dermatitis and other IL-13- and IL-31-driven diseases can severely impact patients’ health and quality of life,” said Rafael G. Amado, MD, president and head of global research and development at Zai Lab.
“Preclinically, ZL-1503 has shown the potential to provide relief of pruritus and inflammation in atopic diseases with less frequent dosing than other biologic therapies. We look forward to sharing results from the healthy volunteers’ study cohort evaluating this bispecific antibody with the immunology community at ACAAI,” Amado added.
Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by itching, redness and irritation.
IL-13 contributes to inflammation and changes in skin tissue, while IL-31 plays a major role in triggering itching and amplifying immune responses. Together, these pathways contribute to the recurring cycle of itching, scratching and inflammation associated with the condition.
Zai Lab developed ZL-1503 to target both pathways with a single treatment, potentially providing longer-lasting symptom relief with less frequent dosing than existing biologic therapies.
Preclinical findings presented earlier this year showed that ZL-1503 rapidly reduced itching and significantly decreased inflammation in animal models of atopic diseases.
The upcoming presentation will focus on results from healthy volunteers participating in the first-in-human Phase 1/1b clinical trial.
Researchers will report pharmacokinetic findings following single-dose administration, along with changes in biomarkers associated with atopic dermatitis across different dose levels.
The presentation will also include initial safety and immunogenicity findings, providing early information about how the treatment is tolerated and whether it triggers an immune response.
The study represents an early step in evaluating ZL-1503 as a potential treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory conditions driven by IL-13 and IL-31 signaling.
The clinical findings are scheduled for presentation on November 13. Zai Lab also plans to host an investor conference call that morning to discuss the results and its future clinical development plans.
