** Shares of biotech firm Apogee Therapeutics APGE.O rise 22% to $81 premarket
** Co says its experimental eczema drug, zumilokibart, showed durable benefit in people with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin condition causing an itchy rash
** Adds 75% of patients given the drug every three months and 85% every six months maintained an at least 75% improvement in disease severity at 52 weeks in a mid-stage trial
** 86% of patients dosed every three months and 78% dosed every six months maintained clear or almost clear skin at 52 weeks - APGE
** Co says drug was largely well tolerated, with mild side effects such as eye inflammation and upper respiratory infections
** Plans to start late-stage trials in the second-half of 2026
** Shares down ~13% YTD vs. ~67% rise in 2025
(Reporting by Sahil Pandey in Bengaluru)
((Sahil.Pandey@thomsonreuters.com))