Read The Times Australia

Daily Bulletin

Specialised Therapeutics Expands Partnership with Incyte to Include Ruxolitinib Cream (Opzelura®) in Australia

  • Written by: Daily Bulletin

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21,

2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent biopharmaceutical company Specialised Therapeutics (ST) today announced an expansion of its existing partnership with Incyte Biosciences International, an affiliate of Incyte (NASDAQ: INCY), to commercialise, distribute, and register ruxolitinib cream (registered as Opzelura® in the U.S. and European Union) in Australia.

Ruxolitinib (1.5%) cream is a novel, topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.[1]  In the U.S., OPZELURA is indicated for the topical treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older, as well as for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.[2]

Under the terms of the expanded agreement, Incyte will remain responsible for the development and manufacturing of ruxolitinib cream, while ST will manage regulatory submissions, medical affairs, marketing, and distribution across Australia.

ST Chief Executive Officer, Mr Carlo Montagner, welcomed the addition of ruxolitinib cream to ST's portfolio, marking a key expansion into inflammatory dermatology.

"Our partnership with Incyte began in 2021, and we are pleased to extend this collaboration into dermatology," said Mr Montagner. "Atopic dermatitis and vitiligo are chronic skin conditions that carry a significant physical and psychosocial burden for patients.[3],[4] Bringing ruxolitinib cream to the Australian market aligns with our ongoing commitment to providing innovative therapies for conditions where substantial unmet medical needs remain."

"Our immediate priority will be navigating the local regulatory and reimbursement pathways to ensure eligible Australian patients gain equitable and timely access to this topical treatment," Mr Montagner added.

Incyte Head of International, Lee Heeson, noted that the expanded agreement reinforces the strong operational alignment between the two organisations.

"We are pleased to expand our partnership with Specialised Therapeutics as we work to make ruxolitinib cream available to eligible patients in Australia," said Lee Heeson, Executive Vice President and Head of Incyte International. "ST's proven experience navigating regulatory, medical and commercial pathways across the region makes them a valued partner as we continue to broaden access to our portfolio globally."

ST anticipates progressing regulatory and reimbursement submissions for OPZELURA with Australian healthcare authorities in due course.

– ENDS –

About Specialised Therapeutics

Founded in 2007, Specialised Therapeutics is an independent specialty pharmaceutical company, providing novel therapies and technologies to patients in Australia, New Zealand and across Southeast Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, ST partners with global pharmaceutical, biotech and diagnostic companies to bring novel healthcare opportunities to patients who are impacted by a range of diseases. ST has built a strong track record of success, navigating complex regulatory, reimbursement and commercialisation environments in its diverse regions across multiple therapeutic areas. The ST mission is to provide specialty therapies where there is an unmet need to communities that would otherwise not have ready access to such therapies. The company's broad therapeutic portfolio currently includes novel agents in oncology, haematology, CNS, neurology, endocrinology, ophthalmology and dermatology, although it is not confined to these areas.  Additional information can be found at www.stbiopharma.com.

About Ruxolitinib Cream (OPZELURA)

Ruxolitinib cream (OPZELURA) a novel cream formulation of Incyte's selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib, approved by the U.S. FDA for the topical treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo in patients 12 years of age and older, is the first and only treatment for repigmentation approved for use in the United States. OPZELURA is also approved in the U.S. for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate AD in non-immunocompromised patients 2 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies, or when those therapies are not advisable. Use of OPZELURA in combination with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or potent immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine or cyclosporine, is not recommended.[2]

In Europe, OPZELURA (ruxolitinib) cream 15mg/g is approved for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo with facial involvement in adults and adolescents from 12 years of age and in adult patients with moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) for whom topical corticosteroids (TCSs) and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) are inadequate or inappropriate.[5]

Incyte has worldwide rights for the development and commercialisation of OPZELURA. To date, more than one million patients globally have been treated with OPZELURA.

OPZELURA is a registered trademark of Incyte.

References:

[1]. Ryguła I, Pikiewicz W, Kaminiów K. Novel Janus Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Dermatologic Conditions. Molecules. 2023 Dec 13;28(24):8064     

[2]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream: Prescribing Information. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215309s001lbl.pdf

[3]. Australasian College of Dermatologists. A-Z of Skin: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema. Available at: https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/atopic-dermatitis/ 

[4]. Vitiligo Association of Australia. Understanding Vitiligo and Its Psychological Impact. Available at: https://www.vitiligo.org.au/ 

[5]. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Opzelura (ruxolitinib) EPAR summary for the public. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/opzelura 

 

Business News

How Businesses Can Prepare for Unexpected Power Outages

Power failures can occur quickly. The supply may be interrupted by bad weather, issues with the electricity network, damaged equipment or local construction work. This can be just a hassle for a fam...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Chatswood Tutoring Can Fit Into a Student’s Weekly Routine

Create a Predictable Weekly Structure A consistent weekly routine can make study easier to manage when students are balancing several subjects. Chatswood tutoring can provide a fixed learning point a...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The Rise of Digital Marketplaces in the Australian Trade Sector

For decades, the Australian trade and construction sector operated almost entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations and local community networks. Small business owners typically relied on local newspa...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Immigration Lawyers Can Help

Introduction Visa decisions can shape employment, family life, study plans, travel, and future residence. A small omission can lead to delay, added expense, or refusal. Immigration lawyers assess l...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

How Industrial Drying Equipment Supports Efficient Processing

Many industrial processes require moisture to be removed from compressed air, products or process materials before they move to the next stage. Excess moisture can affect equipment performance, produc...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Practical Ways a Whiteboard Can Improve Workplace Communication

Effective communication helps teams stay organised, share ideas and keep track of important information. While digital tools are now common in many workplaces, a whiteboard continues to provide a simp...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Designing Eco-Friendly Custom Water Bottles for Your Next Event

The Evolution of Sustainable Event Merchandise Event planning has undergone a massive transformation over the last decade. Gone are the days when organizers could hand out cheap, single use plastic...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

Why Choosing a Professional Florist Melbourne Makes Flower Delivery Impactful

Flowers have a great power to speak when humans cannot express their feelings with right words. Flowers are the best gifts when you are celebrating a birthday or welcoming a newborn child into your fa...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The Business Case for Choosing Australian Fabricators Over Imported Alternatives

For a long time, you might have defaulted to overseas suppliers when sourcing fabricated metal components for a project. The unit price was lower on paper, and the maths seemed straightforward. That...

Daily Bulletin - avatar Daily Bulletin

The Daily Magazine

How NDIS Providers Can Free Up Space and Run a Tighter Operation

Walk into the office of almost any growing NDIS provider and you will probably find a corner that ha...

Small Acts, Big Impact: How Australians Can Give Back to Their Communities

There is a common belief that giving back requires either a lot of money or a lot of time. Big chequ...

The Lost Art of Saying Thank You and Why It Still Matters

Somewhere between the arrival of email and the rise of the reaction emoji, the humble thank you shra...

How Non-Competitive Sports Programs Benefit Early Childhood Development

Australia is known globally as a sporting nation, yet recent statistics paint a surprisingly differe...

The Hidden Health Impacts of Digital Screens on Developing Eyes

Modern Australian childhood is undeniably intertwined with technology. From educational tablets in p...

GRC Consulting and Cyber Security Consulting for Businesses

Businesses face risks such as ransomware attacks, data breaches, violations of regulatory standards ...

How to Set a Budget Before Bidding at Auction

Placing a bid at an online art auction is an exciting way to discover rare paintings, home content...

Does a Modern James Bond Exist?

Image Credit: MysteryShot What the Movies Get Right About Private Investigators There are a few mov...

How Australian Businesses Can Effectively Manage Tax Audits and Disputes

Managing a small business in Australia is inherently challenging, but recent shifts in regulatory ...