Nektar Therapeutics rises after alopecia treatment shows hair regrowth in study

Nektar Therapeutics

20/04/2026 16:40

Updates

** Shares of drug developer Nektar Therapeutics NKTR.O rise 25.6% to $106.60

** Co says its experimental treatment to treat patchy hair loss showed signs of hair regrowth in a extension study from a mid-stage trial

** NKTR was testing its under-the-skin injection, called rezpegaldesleukin, in patients with severe-to-very-severe alopecia areata

** Co says from week 36 to 52, 29% of patients on a low dose of the drug and 31% of patients on a high dose had at least 80% or more of their scalp covered by hair compared to none in the placebo group

** Adds that results support advancement of the therapy into late-stage development; says drug well-tolerated with safety profile consistent with previously reported results

** These compelling results could help significantly overcome investors’ skepticism regarding rezpeg’s efficacy, H.C. Wainwright analysts say

** "Given the cumulative clinical data, we believe rezpeg will likely become the first biologic treatment for AA, addressing a significant unmet need" - H.C. Wainwright

** Including session's moves, NKTR has more than doubled YTD

(Reporting by Sneha S K)

((Sneha.SK@thomsonreuters.com;))