Castle Biosciences provides update on AD gene expression profile test

Castle Biosciences (CSTL) provided an update on its test currently in development for use in patients diagnosed with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, or AD, who are seeking systemic treatment. Based on preliminary data from the company’s ongoing prospective development and validation study, Castle’s pipeline test has shown potential to identify a subset of patients with AD who have an increased likelihood to achieve a super response to targeted therapies, indicated by a 90% or greater reduction in Eczema Area and Severity Index, or EASI, score at three months. Assuming successful validation, the company currently expects to launch its pipeline test by the end of 2025. Castle has enrolled more than 1,100 patients across 39 active clinical study sites for this development and validation study. Follow-up is ongoing with many of these patients, as the company is assessing response at three months, which is the first typical timepoint for clinicians and patients to determine if the current therapy is effective. Launch strategy planning for the company’s pipeline test, including selecting the reimbursement pathway, is ongoing.