Sun Pharma halts psoriasis, eczema treatment drug as clinical trials fail

Sun Pharma on Tuesday, June 3, announced the discontinuation of psoriasis and eczema treatment drug as the phase 2 of their clinical trials for evaluating the safety and efficacy of the medicine failed to meet its “primary end point”.

The second phase of the clinical trial to test SCD-044, a medicine for treating moderate to severe psoriasis, did not meet its primary objective of 75% improvement in PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) score at week 16. The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included a total of 263 participants with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

In another study, the same drug, SCD-044, was tested for eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis), which also failed. The second phase of the atopic dermatitis study of SCD-044 included 250 people and compared three different dosages of SCD-044 with a placebo, the pharmaceutical added.

While there were no major safety and tolerability concerns with SCD-044 in both psoriasis and eczema studies, the drug-maker said it will discontinue the clinical trials and the development of the medicine itself.

Commenting on the trial failures, Marek Honczarenko, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Specialty Development at Sun Pharma, said: “While we are disappointed with the top-line results of the clinical trials, we would like to thank all the psoriasis and atopic dermatitis patients, the healthcare professionals and administrators who participated in these pivotal clinical trials.”

Sun Pharma stock reaction

Shares of Sun Pharma closed in the red at ₹1,667.50 apiece, down 0.42% on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). However, the trial results were announced after market hours.

The stock lost 0.36% over the past week and 8.44% in May. The scrip has lost 11.6% on a year-to-date basis.

Sun Pharma has a total market capitalisation of ₹4 lakh crore, as of June 3, 2025, on the NSE.