Vitiligo's hidden toll

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A new clinical trial is underway in New South Wales and Queensland, offering hope for the approximately 260,000 Australians living with vitiligo.  The trial aims to evaluate a potential new treatment for this autoimmune skin condition, which affects about 1 in 100 people in Australia and can have a profound impact on mental health.

Vitiligo is not physically painful or contagious, but its visible white patches can cause significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and social isolation. The psychological burden is often greater for individuals with darker skin and those with more visible patches. Despite this, public awareness and understanding of the condition remain low.

The campaign behind this clinical trial seeks to change that, encouraging the Australian public to be more understanding and accepting of people living with vitiligo. Famous identities who have spoken publicly about their experience with the condition include American model Winnie Harlow,  actor Jon Hamm, and Australian actress Pia Miranda.

The clinical trial is evaluating an investigational drug, currently known as FB102, as a potential new treatment for this autoimmune skin condition. FB102 is being developed to help the immune system stop mistakenly attacking healthy cells. In vitiligo, the body's immune system attacks pigment-producing cells in the skin, which leads to white patches.

FB102 is designed to calm this specific immune response so that pigment-producing cells can survive, allowing the skin to return to its natural colour. Interestingly, it has also shown positive results in an early-stage (Phase 1b) study in coeliac disease, demonstrating both safety and signs of benefit.

While there is currently no cure for vitiligo, FB102 is potentially a new and innovative approach compared to most current treatments, such as creams, light therapy, or steroid tablets. These existing treatments work for only some patients, may cause side effects, and don't always provide long-lasting results.

Dr Seemal Desai, President of the Global Vitiligo Association and immediate past President of the American Academy of Dermatology, highlights the importance of continued research. "There is currently no cure for vitiligo, but continued research into new treatments is important to improve the quality of life for people living with the condition. Clinical trials like this one are a crucial part of that journey, offering new hope to individuals who have lived with this condition for many years."

Faye Colley, President of the Vitiligo Association of Australia, who lives with the condition herself, says the experience can be difficult. "Whilst vitiligo is a visible difference, it's often what you don't see that has the greatest impact. It's the feeling of being viewed differently by society that has the greatest impact on people's mental health. We need more public awareness to foster a more inclusive and accepting society.''

FB102 is an investigational drug, and it is only available in Australia through clinical trials at this stage. Evrima has been engaged by Forte Bioscience to support participant recruitment for the clinical trial of FB102. By participating, eligible individuals can help advance vitiligo research and contribute to the development of new treatment options.

Charlotte Bradshaw, Founder and CEO of Evrima, explains the critical role of clinical trials in medical advancement. "Clinical trials are at the heart of medical advances which look into new ways to treat, prevent, or detect disease. Volunteers often do so to help contribute to advancing scientific research, knowing that they are participating in the hope of helping future generations."

She adds that technology can bridge the gap between patients and medical treatments. "Evrima's tech-enabled patient referral network, Evripath, has been built as an education and simple referral resource for GPs to find out about existing clinical trials in their communities. Greater awareness and education among GPs and the general public will support increased participation in trials moving forward."

The FB102 study is currently enrolling participants who meet the following criteria:

●      Aged between 18 and 75 years

●      Diagnosed with vitiligo

●      Willing to attend study visits and comply with study requirements

For more information about current clinical trials, individuals are encouraged to visit www.evrima.com/active-trials or speak to their GP or healthcare professional.

About Evrima Evrima's vision is to change the game in clinical research to increase access, awareness, and participation. Evrima is striving to make a global impact on clinical trial timelines and enable the industry to advance medical research swiftly, so that new medicines and vaccines are available as quickly as possible.

About the Vitiligo Association of Australia The Vitiligo Association of Australia is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for people living with vitiligo across Australia.