Many people interested in facelift surgery express concern about visible scarring. According to Joanna Kam, MD, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in New Jersey, incision placement plays a critical role in minimizing these concerns and supporting natural-looking results.

The primary goal of a facelift is to rejuvenate the face by lifting and tightening areas that have been affected by aging, gravity, or lifestyle factors. The facelift often addresses sagging skin, creases, and descent of the facial fat pads, particularly around the jowls and jawline.

Kam outlines the strategies and techniques used in modern facelift procedures to reduce the visibility of scars and promote natural-looking outcomes. By clarifying the science and artistry behind incision placement, patients can feel more comfortable exploring facelift options that align with their personal goals, according to Kam.

Concealing Facelift Incisions

Strategic incision placement is one of the most effective techniques used by surgeons to conceal potential scars. Rather than placing incisions in highly visible areas, board-certified specialists focus on natural creases, hairlines, and behind-the-ear locations. By doing so, they can hide the scars in plain sight and blend them with the patient’s natural facial creases and contours. This approach helps ensure that patients can enjoy the benefits of facial rejuvenation without feeling self-conscious about noticeable marks.

A look at the techniques: 

• Hairline Placement: A common technique involves placing incisions around the hairline, typically starting at the temples. This positioning allows the incision to follow the natural contours of the ear and continue behind it into the hair-bearing scalp, making it harder to spot. By using the existing shapes and shadows of the ear’s anatomy and the hairline itself, these incisions blend seamlessly with the surrounding tissue.
• Behind-the-Ear Approach: Even if a portion of the incision is placed in front of the ear, surgeons will often wrap the incision around the earlobe and behind the ear’s natural crease. The skin around this area curves naturally, providing an ideal hiding place. For many patients, scarring in this region remains virtually invisible once fully healed, especially when combined with a discreet hairline incision.
• Minimizing Tension: Excessive tension on the incision can lead to widened or raised scars. Paying special attention to tension distribution through deeper layers of the lift helps to ensure the incision heals as inconspicuously as possible. This balanced approach is part of the reason why consultation with a highly trained facial plastic surgeon is so crucial.

Scar Care and Revision Options

Even with meticulous incision planning and placement, some patients may find that their scars do not heal exactly as they had hoped. Various factors, such as genetics, skin type, and aftercare, can influence how incisions heal. To help address residual concerns, Kam’s practice also offers scar revision procedures. These treatments can improve the appearance of scars by refining the tissue, modifying its shape, or repositioning it to blend more effortlessly with the surrounding skin.

The success of a facelift and the visibility of scars also depend heavily on post-operative care. While each patient receives personalized guidelines, common recommendations include:

• Follow All Instructions: Adhering to post-surgical care instructions is vital. This includes cleaning incisions carefully, using prescribed ointments, and avoiding sun exposure to the area.
• Attend Follow-Up Appointments: Regular follow-up visits allow the surgeon to monitor healing progress and address any concerns promptly.
• Limit Strenuous Activity: Light movement is encouraged, but strenuous exercise or heavy lifting early in the recovery process can hinder the healing process.
• Protect Incisions from Sun Exposure: UV rays may darken scar tissue. Applying sunscreen and wearing hats or scarves can help protect the incisions as they heal.
• Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle: Proper nutrition, hydration, and avoiding smoking contribute to faster healing and promote optimal incision healing.

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A new topical treatment, VOL.U.LIFT, from IMAGE Skincare, has been developed to address the visible facial side effects associated with rapid weight loss from GLP-1 medications. The formula targets four primary concerns: deflation, deep wrinkles, dehydration, and loss of skin density.

Product Developed for Emerging Patient Needs

With the rising use of GLP-1 agonists for weight management, many patients are experiencing noticeable changes in facial volume and skin texture. VOL.U.LIFT was created to respond to this trend, offering both corrective and preventive care. The formulation was led by Marc Ronert, MD, PhD, a European Board Certified Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon and Fellow of the European Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. His clinical observations informed the design of the formula, which directly addresses skin issues caused by rapid body fat loss.

Ronert partnered with U.S. board-certified dermatologist and integrative researcher Raja Sivamani, MD, MS, AP, during development. Their combined expertise helped shape the product’s approach to skin aging related to GLP-1 therapies.

Formulation and Research Backing

VOL.U.LIFT features multiple active components, including L-Ornithine, an amino acid shown in external clinical studies to increase fatty tissue volume and reduce signs of structural aging. It also incorporates IMAGE Skincare’s proprietary XOSM Technology, a next-generation, patent-pending delivery system designed to enhance ingredient absorption and cellular activity. These components are intended to support collagen production, improve hydration, and reinforce skin firmness. Early clinical trial participants reported visible improvements within 2 weeks of use.

Clinical Perspective on GLP-1 Skin Effects

“As a plastic surgeon, I am seeing firsthand the rapid rise in GLP-1 usage among patients and the subsequent long-term side effects that directly impact overall skin health. GLP-1-induced skin aging is a new phenomenon that is affecting patients in different ways. However, to date, there are no targeted solutions that address the distinct range of skin concerns that accompany these treatments. This is why I developed VOL.U.LIFT,” said Ronert.

“We are seeing patients on GLP-1 agonists lose up to 30% of muscle and connective tissue as a result of rapid weight loss—this impacts both the body and facial skin. The key is to supplement a protein-based diet with topical skincare that stimulates cell activity using clinically proven ingredients to jumpstart cell function, specifically addressing mechanisms that generate collagen, strengthen the skin structure and increase hydration,” added Sivamani

Availability and Access

VOL.U.LIFT is available through IMAGE Skincare’s professional network and online. The product is fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, and retails for $134.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has released its annual audit for 2023-2024, revealing a 5% overall rise in cosmetic surgical procedures, with a total of 27,462 procedures performed in 2024. 

This surge was largely driven by increases in facial rejuvenation and body contouring procedures, while male cosmetic surgery numbers saw a slight decline.

Key highlights:

• Breast Augmentation Remains Most Popular: With 5,202 procedures performed, breast augmentation saw a 6% rise, securing its position as the most sought-after cosmetic surgery in 2024.
• Eyelid Surgery on the Rise: Blepharoplasty jumped 13%, moving up to the third most popular procedure, surpassing abdominoplasty.
• Face-off: Face and neck lifts increased by 8% while brow lifts saw a 20% jump.
• Body Contouring Grows: Liposuction (+8%), abdominoplasty (+6%), and thigh lifts (+24%) all saw significant increases.
• Men’s Procedures Decline: While male cosmetic surgery made up only 6.5% of total procedures, it saw a 1.5% drop from 2023, with rhinoplasty (-14%) and liposuction (-7%) declining the most.

The top five cosmetic procedures of 2024 were:

1. Breast Augmentation: 5,202 (+6%)
2. Breast Reduction: 4,707 (+1%)
3. Blepharoplasty: 3,138 (+13%)
4. Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): 2,997 (+6%)
5. Liposuction: 2,623 (+8%)

Trends Among Women

Women accounted for 93.5% of all cosmetic surgeries in 2024, with a total of 25,663 procedures performed (+6% from 2023). Eyelid surgery showed the most notable increase (+15%), overtaking abdominoplasty in popularity. Brow lifts (+25%) and thigh lifts (+25%) also saw sharp rises.

“Breast augmentation remains limited to two primary methods—breast implants or fat transfer—but these approaches yield different results. Fat transfer offers a more subtle enhancement, which may explain the continued demand for implants, as there is no true alternative for many women,” says Nora Nugent, president of BAAPS, in a release. “Interestingly, implant removal rates have also declined, possibly for similar reasons. Additionally, new research is helping to reshape previous misconceptions about the long-term safety of breast implants.”

Trends Among Men

Men underwent 1,799 procedures in 2024, a 1.5% decrease from 2023. Rhinoplasty remained the most popular male procedure (332 surgeries), despite a 14% drop. However, face and neck lifts surged by 26%, suggesting a growing interest in anti-aging procedures among men.

“The decline in male plastic surgery may appear more pronounced due to the smaller number of procedures overall, making fluctuations more noticeable. However, we are seeing a rise in facelifts among men, mirroring the trend observed in women,” says Nugent in a release.

Vice president Anthony Macquillan adds in a release, “Post-COVID, we’ve observed a shift in patient priorities, with a greater focus on both mental and functional health. This may explain the rise in procedures like abdominoplasties and breast reductions, which offer both physical and psychological benefits. At the same time, the increase in facelifts could be linked to societal changes, such as the rising pension age and the desire to remain relevant in the workplace. For many, this type of surgery is not just aesthetic but also functional helping to maintain confidence, secure employment, and reduce anxiety associated with age-related bias.”

Non-surgical procedures for men and women also saw a slight increase, with Botox treatments increasing by 5% and dermal fillers by 27%.

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Male plastic surgery is becoming increasingly popular, whether the goal is to obtain a more contoured physique, reverse signs of aging, or address medical conditions.

Solomon Azouz, MD, FACS, FRCS(C), a board-certified plastic surgeon at Azouz Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in Dallas, Texas, has supported men in achieving their cosmetic goals. “Men today are more conscious of their appearance and recognize the value of plastic surgery in achieving a natural, defined physique,” says Azouz in a release. “Our practice has observed an increase in patients seeking operations to boost their confidence while maintaining a strong and masculine aesthetic.”

The “daddy do-over” is one popular procedure, according to Azouz, which consists of a series of operations, including liposuction, gynecomastia surgery, and ab sculpting, aimed at restoring a youthful and fit image for fathers seeking to regain confidence.

Other top male plastic surgery procedures include: 

• Buttock enhancement to improve gluteal contours by transferring fat for a more natural, manly appearance.
• Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) for men who have extra chest fat or glandular breast tissue.
• Liposuction to target persistent fat in places such as the abdomen, flanks, and chest to create a more contoured figure.
• Rhinoplasty to refine the nose while maintaining the masculine features of the face.
• Facelifts and neck lifts to help men look younger and more refreshed without appearing overdone.
• Blepharoplasty to remove sagging eyelids and under-eye bags for a more rejuvenated appearance.
• Jawline sculpting to enhance the definition of the jawline with non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers or surgical options like chin implants or liposuction for a stronger, more sculpted profile.
• Back liposuction to remove persistent fat deposits from the back, particularly in the upper or lower regions, to provide a smoother, more toned appearance.
• Calf augmentation, which uses implants or fat grafting to increase the size and form of the calves.
• Muscle augmentation to surgically enlarge muscles such as the biceps, chest, or abs, utilizing implants or fat transfer.

Unlike standard plastic surgery techniques, which have historically been focused on women, Azouz uses modern surgical approaches intended exclusively for male anatomy. Men’s facial shape, muscle mass, skin thickness, and fat distribution differ greatly from women’s, necessitating a unique technique to achieve natural and balanced results. 

“As the stigma associated with male cosmetic operations fades, an increasing number of men are opting for surgery and nonsurgical modifications. Male plastic surgery is no more a trend but rather a long-lasting shift in the aesthetic world influencing CEOs, fitness buffs, and professionals in demanding fields all around,” reads a release from Azouz Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery.

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Alma Lasers, a Sisram Medical company specializing in energy-based medical and aesthetic solutions, announced the debut of the latest edition of its aesthetics platform, Alma Harmony, featuring upgrades to offer more treatment possibilities.

The new platform is powered by five technologies, integrated to provide a range of treatments for almost any indication or skin type: 

• the Q-Switch laser stimulates collagen and treats pigmentation by targeting dermal layers, 
• the fractional ablative laser creates pixel-sized perforations in the skin, inducing rejuvenation while preserving surrounding tissues for quicker recovery, 
• intense pulsed light offers a balanced approach to aesthetic improvements across a range of patient skin types and concerns, 
• non-ablative lasers rejuvenate skin by promoting collagen production from within the dermis, and 
• the green diode laser treats vascular lesions, aiming to enhance both efficacy and safety.

With up to a 45% increase in energy*, the new multiplatform offers the capabilities of standalone lasers in a single platform. This enhanced energy enables practitioners to address the diverse needs of patients—across different ages, skin types, and treatment goals—and to provide clinically proven treatments for the most in-demand categories, such as skin resurfacing, skin rejuvenation and tightening, hair removal, acne and acne scars, vascular lesions, pigmented lesions, and tattoo removal, to name a few.

Updated Platform Focuses on Workflow Efficiency and Multi-Technology Integration

Designed to enhance efficiency, simplicity, and ease of use, the new Alma Harmony includes automated features such as customizable presets, ergonomically designed applicators, and functionality that makes operation seamless.

“The majority of the skin conditions we treat need more than one light or laser at the same time in the same session, and to work with a platform where you can have very easy connection enables us to do really personalized treatments with multiple wavelengths, multiple lights, to achieve the depth and the chromophore we want to target to achieve good results in those specific diseases,” says Pablo Naranjo, MD, PhD, medical director of Elite Laser Clinic & Laser Unit at NISA Hospital, Madrid, Spain, in a release.  “The new Alma Harmony allows me to have the same power as standalone lasers in an all-in-one platform and to achieve the next level of results with my patients.” 

Lior Dayan, CEO of Alma, adds in a release, “Alma Harmony sets a new standard for functionality, versatility, and performance. The new flagship multiplatform allows professionals to combine synergetic technologies to effectively treat a wide range of aesthetic concerns, addressing the growing consumer demand for combination procedures for longer-lasting results and a shorter recovery, while enhancing both practitioner efficiency and patient experience to unprecedented levels.”

Aiming to support clinic business offerings and increase visibility, Alma is launching the new platform together with Harmony Bio-Boost, a branded treatment tackling skin rejuvenation.

Harmony Bio-Boost, currently exclusive to Alma Harmony users, harnesses the skin’s natural healing process and leverages the power of biostimulation to deliver results. This treatment is designed to improve skin tone and texture and serves as a catalyst for collagen renewal and elastin production that continues to work up to six months** post-treatment.

*Compared to Harmony XL PRO using specific parameters 

**After a non-ablative fractional laser treatment.

Photo caption: Alma Harmony

Photo credit: Alma Lasers

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BioLab Holdings Inc, a Phoenix-based medical manufacturer specializing in wound healing and wound care products, announced the establishment of its Medical Advisory Board, composed of wound care specialists dedicated to advancing patient care and clinical excellence. This group of experts will provide insights and guidance across various aspects of the company’s operations.

Board to Offer Multidisciplinary Clinical Expertise

The board members represent a diverse range of medical specialties, including primary care, plastic surgery, podiatry, and dermatology. The company says that this group of physicians, who have extensive frontline experience in wound care, bring a wealth of clinical knowledge that will support Biolab Holdings in its pursuit of becoming a global leader in the field—while ultimately prioritizing the well-being of patients. The medical board reportedly will enhance BioLab’s research and development, distribution training, peer-to-peer engagement, clinician education, and patient-centered care. 

Leadership Emphasizes Board’s Role in Expanding Access to Care

“We are honored to welcome these esteemed physicians to our organization,” said Dr Marshall Medley, chief medical officer at BioLab. “Their expertise and passion for wound care will be instrumental in furthering the work we are all passionate about—improving access to care and healing patient’s wounds.”

Dr Krishna Narayanan Joins Advisory Board

Pittsburgh-based plastic surgeon Krishna Narayanan, MD, will be a member of the Medical Advisory Board. With over 25 years of experience in private practice, he earned his medical degree from the University of Madras, Chennai, India, in 1981 and completed a Plastic Surgery Fellowship at UPMC in Pittsburgh in 1994.

Experience in Advanced Wound Healing Techniques

Narayanan specializes in wound care management and surgical interventions including split thickness skin graft and PRP placement for wound healing, amniotic allograft with stem cell stimulation, collagen matrix graft and more.

Leadership Roles in Hospital-Based Wound Care Programs

He holds hospital privileges at multiple Pennsylvania institutions and serves as medical director and executive committee member at Encompass, Select Specialty, and PAM Health Hospitals. He also serves as the medical director of wound care to oversee clinical methods and outcomes to treat patients with complex wound care problems.

Photo: BioLab Sciences

JeNaCell, an Evonik company, will debut epicite CALM, a medical-grade post-treatment dressing made from biosynthetic cellulose, at the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress in Monaco from March 27–29, designed to promote recovery following laser, light, and energy-based aesthetic procedures, including fractional CO2 lasers and radiofrequency microneedling.

epicite CALM will be certified under European Medical Device Regulation standards. It offers a safe, sterile, and hypoallergenic option that promotes wound healing while improving patient safety and comfort.

“Biosynthetic cellulose is a material showing superb versatility. Drawing on the extensive clinical experience in treating burns and chronic wounds with products from the epicite family, we are very pleased to offer epicite CALM to medical professionals in aesthetics to improve patient outcomes,” says Dana Kralisch, PhD, general manager of JeNaCell, in a release. 

The Evonik company is a specialist in producing medical-grade products for advanced wound care. A hydro-active wound dressing, epicite CALM is designed to create a moist wound environment that promotes healing and minimizes downtime following aesthetic treatments that utilize energy-based technologies, such as CO2 lasers and radiofrequency microneedling. 

These procedures enhance collagen production and address signs of aging. However, their intensity can create wounds comparable to minor burns. With some technologies penetrating the dermis up to 7mm, practitioners may face liability risks when using non-medical-grade products on compromised skin.

Made in Germany under cleanroom conditions, epicite calm is designed as an option for treatment-prone skin and surgical wounds. The product is crafted from natural biosynthetic cellulose, ensuring it is non-occlusive, hypoallergenic, and free from fragrances, preservatives, and parabens.

“epicite CALM will support medical professionals in enhancing their aftercare protocols to meet medical quality standards. We’re looking forward to partnering with distributors in Europe and internationally to help us bring this exceptional product to patients,” says Julia Born, business development and strategic marketing manager at Evonik Health Care, in a release.

Photo caption: epicite CALM

Photo credit: Evonik

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Caliway Biopharmaceuticals announced that clinical results from the CBL-0202 phase 2 study of its novel localized fat reduction drug, CBL-514, have been accepted for publication in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. This publication further validates the efficacy and safety of CBL-514 in localized fat reduction, highlighting its clinical value as an innovative non-surgical therapy. 

This follows the publication of the CBL-16001 phase 2a clinical results in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2022.

Clinical results from the phase 2 CBL-0202 study revealed that eight weeks after the final treatment, over 60% of participants in the CBL-514 group achieved a reduction of at least 200mL of subcutaneous fat in the treated area, compared to 0% in the placebo group, achieving statistical significance (p< 0.0001).

Notably, 42.9% of these participants achieved at least a 150mL reduction in subcutaneous fat after only one treatment. Moreover, per-protocol analysis showed that participants experienced an average reduction of 28.1% of subcutaneous fat volume compared with placebo.

Fat Reduction Comparable to Liposuction

In comparison, according to a study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2012, abdominal liposuction removed an average of 183mL of subcutaneous fat, indicating that CBL-514’s fat reduction efficacy could potentially surpass traditional liposuction. Additionally, the study demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with no severe adverse events reported.

Principal investigators emphasized that CBL-514 achieved a fat reduction effect comparable to liposuction, with significantly improved safety, shorter treatment duration, and no required downtime, “positioning CBL-514 as a promising alternative for non-invasive body contouring.”

“The acceptance of CBL-514’s phase 2 clinical data in ASJ once again affirms our research outcomes and capabilities, reinforcing CBL-514’s significant potential in the localized fat reduction market,” says Caliway’s CEO, Vivian Ling, in a release. “We will actively pursue further publications of CBL-0204 phase 2b results, to strengthen Caliway’s academic and commercial presence globally in the aesthetic medicine industry.”

Caliway will accelerate subject recruitment for two pivotal global phase 3 studies for localized fat reduction in Q3 2025, expanding international collaborations and steadily progressing toward the goal of developing an FDA-approved injectable drug for large-area localized fat reduction.

The study is expected to be officially published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal in Q2 2025.

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Q32 Bio Inc, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing biologic therapeutics to restore immune homeostasis, announced additional results from part A of its SIGNAL-AA phase 2a clinical trial of bempikibart in patients with alopecia areata at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Meeting in Orlando, Fla, demonstrating the investigational treatment leads to sustained hair regrowth.

Bempikibart is a fully human anti-IL-7Rα antibody that re-regulates adaptive immune function by blocking IL-7 and TSLP signaling that is in development for the treatment of alopecia areata and currently being evaluated in a phase 2 program.

“These findings demonstrate for the first time in patients the potential of an IL-7Rα antagonist approach to deliver durable and sustained activity and recapitulate over a decade of nonclinical research highlighting the potential of this type of sustained response in multiple animal disease models. Given these exciting findings, we have committed to advancing bempikibart as a potentially differentiated therapy for alopecia areata patients who have had limited treatment choices and, to date, no biologic option available,” says Jodie Morrison, chief executive officer of Q32 Bio, in a release. 

Results from SIGNAL-AA Part A Phase 2a Clinical Trial 

SIGNAL-AA Part A is a phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical trial evaluating bempikibart in adult patients with severe and very severe alopecia areata (baseline Severity of Alopecia Tool [SALT] scores of 50-100) treated over 24 weeks, with follow-up through 36 weeks. The trial is being conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bempikibart 200 mg administered subcutaneously every other week compared to placebo. 

SIGNAL-AA part A comprised of 41 patients in the modified intent-to-treat population and 27 in the per protocol population, with a primary endpoint of the mean relative percent change in SALT score at 24 weeks compared with baseline, with follow-up in a 12-week post-treatment period through week 36. Additional data has been collected on patients after week 36, with follow-up on multiple patients through week 55 to date, and additional long-term follow-up ongoing.

Highlights on the per protocol basis from the 2025 AAD late-breaking presentation include: 

During the on-treatment window:

• At week 24: Patients with a SALT score of 50-100 treated with bempikibart (n=23) showed a mean reduction in SALT score of 16% vs a reduction of 2% in the placebo group (n=4). A Wilcoxon Rank Sum test yielded a p-value of 0.045.
• At week 26: Patients with severe and very severe disease treated with bempikibart showed a mean reduction in SALT score of 18% in the bempikibart group vs a reduction of 2% in the placebo group.
• At week 24: 9% of bempikibart patients with severe and very severe disease achieved a SALT score less than or equal to 20 compared to 0% in placebo.
• At week 26: 14% of bempikibart patients with severe and very severe disease achieved a SALT score less than or equal to 20 compared to 0% in placebo.
• In the subset of patients with severe disease (baseline SALT 50-95):
  • At week 24: patients treated with bempikibart (n=15) showed a mean reduction in SALT score of 25% improving to 27% at week 26.
  • At week 24: 13% of bempikibart patients achieved a achieved a SALT score less than or equal to 20, compared to 0% in placebo, improving to 21% at week 26 vs 0% in the placebo group.

“The responses of patients with longstanding and severe disease, not only at 24 weeks but several weeks after treatment withdrawal, is very provocative,” says Brett King, MD, PhD, of Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut and former associate professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, in a release. “If the activity of bempikibart, including the potential to induce a durable, long-term response, and the safety profile are confirmed in upcoming clinical trials, bempikibart has the potential to change the treatment paradigm of alopecia areata.”

During the post-treatment follow-up period:

Despite only 24 weeks of treatment across bempikibart treated patients, a deepening response, as measured by mean SALT improvement, was observed following dosing cessation (week 24) through the post-treatment follow-up period (week 36), a paradigm believed to be associated with IL-7 on-mechanism modulation of rebalancing T effector memory cells and T regulatory function.

• At week 36, across patients treated with bempikibart, a mean reduction in SALT score of 20% was observed. In the subset of patients with severe disease, at week 36, the mean reduction in SALT score was 28%.

Additional post-treatment data collection remains ongoing, including longer-term follow-up of patients following the completion of the trial (post 36 weeks). Outreach was made to patients regarding the post-treatment experience and patients willing to participate were re-consented.

• Amongst patients responding to outreach that completed the treatment period and showed a SALT response during the trial (n=12), all achieved maintenance of response or further hair growth in the post treatment period (post 24 weeks), including after the end of the trial (post 36 weeks).
  • All 12 were confirmed by SALT assessment by the investigator, with a median follow-up of 41 weeks to date (17 weeks post last treatment) with additional follow-up ongoing.
  • Of these, seven patients (7/12) showed additional hair growth by SALT assessment post-treatment, with median follow-up of 44 weeks to date (20 weeks post last treatment) with additional follow-up ongoing.
• At week 55: two patients demonstrated improved and ongoing responses approximately seven months following dosing cessation, supporting the potential for remittive effect and durability of response with bempikibart.

“In addition to the meaningful mean SALT reductions through week 24, we observed deepening responses throughout the follow-up period through week 36 and longer, despite dosing only through 24 weeks, including two patients with continued response at week 55, approximately seven months following dosing cessation,” says Jason Campagna, MD, PhD, chief medical officer of Q32 Bio, in a release. “Our development program for bempikibart is designed to expand on these results, first with our open-label extension allowing for longer-term dosing and follow-up, and second, with SIGNAL-AA part B which introduces a loading dosing regimen, longer dosing period and longer follow up. SIGNAL-AA part B is intended to support advancement into pivotal trials upon completion, pending review of the results.”

Bempikibart demonstrated a well-tolerated safety and tolerability profile, with no grade 3 or higher adverse events related to treatment. Further, no related viral infections were reported in the bempikibart group.

In addition, in the phase 2a clinical trial, bempikibart at 200mg subcutaneously every other week demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics and target engagement as demonstrated by substantial reductions in biomarkers of Th2 and expected modulation of T-cells. 

Bempikibart Phase 2 Development Program

Q32 Bio is advancing a development program evaluating bempikibart in alopecia areata. Based on re-consent rates for continued follow-up and strong interest from SIGNAL-AA part A patients to re-initiate dosing, Q32 Bio plans to initiate an open-label extension following the same bempikibart dosing regimen leveraged in part A to enable longer-term follow-up of patients. 

Initiation remains on track for the first half of 2025.

In addition, Q32 Bio is advancing bempikibart in the part B portion of the SIGNAL-AA phase 2a clinical trial. SIGNAL-AA part B is an open-label clinical trial, dosing patients with bempikibart for 36 weeks, with follow-up out to 52 weeks, in approximately 20 evaluable patients with severe or very severe alopecia areata. Dosing will include an initial loading regimen of 200mg of bempikibart dosed weekly over four weeks, followed by a maintenance dose of 200mg every other week over a 32-week period for a total of 36 weeks. 

Efficacy will be evaluated on the basis of mean percentage change from baseline in SALT scores as well as the proportion of subjects achieving various relative and absolute SALT improvements at week 36, with follow-up through week 52. The trial is intended to support advancement into pivotal trials upon completion, pending review of the results. Q32 Bio expects to initiate part B in the first half of 2025 and report topline data in the first half of 2026.

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