- Tapinarof Cream 1% is the first and only steroid-free topical medication in its class, to be available in the UAE to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis.
- Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease, commonly referred to as eczema, that affects around 16.7% of children in the UAE.
- Approximately 2-3% of people worldwide live with psoriasis.
Dubai, UAE: Organon, a global healthcare company with a mission to improve the health of women throughout their lives, today announced that the Emirates Drug Establishment has approved tapinarof cream, 1%. This is the first in a novel class of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists to be approved in the UAE for the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults and children above the age of 2, and plaque psoriasis in adults. The product is backed by extensive clinical trial data highlighting its efficacy and safety for long-term use as demonstrated in 56-week-long clinical studies. Tapinarof cream, 1% improves bothersome symptoms such as itch, and offers the potential for complete skin clearance and treatment-free days – even on affected sensitive and difficult-to-treat areas.
“The approval of this product gives patients and caregivers a new, highly effective, steroid-free, treatment that offers powerful skin clearance and has the potential to transform how skin diseases are treated in the UAE,” said Ramy Koussa, Associate Vice President for Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Organon. “People living with psoriasis and AD may experience anxiety, depression and decreased self-esteem, all of which can have detrimental effects on personal relationships, career choices and social interactions. This burden fuels our mission to expand access to impactful medicines, so that more patients can live a healthier every day.”
Psoriasis is characterized by red patches, scales, and lesions on the skin that cause itching and pain and is associated with disability levels on par with major health conditions such as cancer, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.6 People with AD suffer from itchy, red, swollen, and cracked skin, often on the folds of the arms, back of the knees, hands, face, and neck and the disease has a higher prevalence among women.
“Both AD and psoriasis are diseases that place a significant burden on patients’ day-to-day life,” said Dr. Ayman Al Naeem, President of the Emirates Dermatology Society. “For young children, AD can interfere with sleep, mood, and developmental milestones that can burden the whole family. Having a non-biologic, steroid-free treatment that is suitable for both children and adults, provides a new option for treating these diseases where other therapies may not be suitable. This allows for a more personalized treatment approach which is key to successful patient outcomes.”
Tapinarof cream, 1% is applied once daily to affected areas, offering a simplified dosing regimen. Its mechanism of action restores the skin barrier, improves bothersome symptoms such as itching and offers the potential for complete skin clearance and treatment-free days. It has shown good results in patients of color and can be used on all skin surfaces, including the head, neck, and intertriginous areas where steroids are contraindicated, without limitations on use.
Tapinarof cream, 1% became part of the Organon portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2024 as part of the company’s acquisition of Dermavant. The UAE is among one of the first countries globally to make this treatment available outside of the US.
