The Korean offshoot Sanofi Genzyme said Tuesday that it has launched Dupixent, a treatment for moderate and severe adult atopic dermatitis.

Dupixent is the first targeted biologic agent developed for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, who are not adequately controlled or recommended for topical treatment.

The treatment inhibits explicitly overactive signaling of two essential proteins, IL-4 and IL-13, which are believed to be significant drivers of the persistent inflammation in atopic dermatitis. Patients can self-administer the drug every other week with or without topical corticosteroids.

The launch of the product comes five months after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety gave a sales approval for the drug in March.

The treatment differs from existing therapeutic options in its mechanism of action and efficacy. Dupixent has proved its safety and efficacy for an extended period in a large-scale clinical trial, while the alternative systemic immunosuppressant such as cyclosporine has been challenging to use for extended periods due to side effects and tolerance.

The medication has also demonstrated its efficacy with LIBERTY AD, a large-scale clinical trial program involving about 2,800 people with moderate to severe adult atopic dermatitis. The trial showed significant improvement in skin lesions, itching, and other symptoms when patients either took Dupixent alone or in combination with other topical corticosteroids (TCS).

“We are delighted to offer a safe long-term new treatment option to patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, who has been suffering from daily pain due to a scarcity of treatment alternatives,” Sanofi Genzyme Korea CEO Christine Park said. “The company will do its best to help patients who have been suffering for a long time to live a healthy life.”

Dupixent will be available in major general hospitals nationwide from next month.