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Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®)

Actavis Inc. · Phase 3 active Small molecule

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) is a Protein kinase C (PKC) activator Small molecule drug developed by Actavis Inc.. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Actinic keratosis (field treatment on face or scalp). Also known as: Picato, RLD.

Ingenol mebutate is a protein kinase C (PKC) activator that induces rapid necrosis of actinic keratosis cells and promotes immune-mediated clearance of treated lesions.

Ingenol mebutate is a protein kinase C (PKC) activator that induces rapid necrosis of actinic keratosis cells and promotes immune-mediated clearance of treated lesions. Used for Actinic keratosis (field treatment on face or scalp).

Likelihood of approval
58.3% vs 58.3% industry baseline
If approved by FDA: likely 2028–2030
Steps remaining: NDA/BLA submission
Confidence: High
Why this estimate
  • Baseline phase 3 → approval rate +58.3pp
    Industry-wide phase 3 drugs reach approval ~58.3% of the time (BIO/Informa 2023 industry benchmark across all therapeutic areas).
Predicted approval windows by jurisdiction (conditional on FDA approval)
Regulator Country Likely year Lag vs FDA
FDA US 2028–2030
EMA EU 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
MHRA GB 2029–2031 +0.7 yr
Health Canada CA 2029–2032 +0.9 yr
TGA AU 2029–2032 +1.2 yr
PMDA JP 2029–2032 +1.5 yr
NMPA CN 2030–2033 +2.3 yr
MFDS KR 2029–2032 +1.4 yr
CDSCO IN 2029–2033 +1.8 yr
ANVISA BR 2030–2033 +2.3 yr

Hover any row for the lag rationale. Lag estimates are reduced when the drug has FDA Breakthrough or EMA PRIME designation (sponsors file globally in parallel).

Estimate based on the BIO/Informa industry phase transition rates plus per-drug modifiers for therapeutic area, sponsor type, FDA designations, mechanism, and trial design. Per-jurisdiction lags from Tufts CSDD international approval studies. Not investment, clinical or regulatory advice. Methodology: /methodology#likelihood.

At a glance

Generic nameIngenol Mebutate (Picato®)
Also known asPicato, RLD
SponsorActavis Inc.
Drug classProtein kinase C (PKC) activator
TargetProtein kinase C (PKC)
ModalitySmall molecule
Therapeutic areaDermatology
PhasePhase 3

Mechanism of action

Ingenol mebutate activates protein kinase C, leading to direct cytotoxic effects on actinic keratosis cells through mitochondrial dysfunction and rapid cell death. Additionally, it triggers an inflammatory response that recruits immune cells to the treatment area, resulting in clearance of residual diseased cells and promotion of normal skin regeneration.

Approved indications

Common side effects

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

Frequently asked questions about Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®)

What is Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®)?

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) is a Protein kinase C (PKC) activator drug developed by Actavis Inc., indicated for Actinic keratosis (field treatment on face or scalp).

How does Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) work?

Ingenol mebutate is a protein kinase C (PKC) activator that induces rapid necrosis of actinic keratosis cells and promotes immune-mediated clearance of treated lesions.

What is Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) used for?

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) is indicated for Actinic keratosis (field treatment on face or scalp).

Who makes Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®)?

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) is developed by Actavis Inc. (see full Actavis Inc. pipeline at /company/actavis-inc).

Is Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) also known as anything else?

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) is also known as Picato, RLD.

What drug class is Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) in?

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) belongs to the Protein kinase C (PKC) activator class. See all Protein kinase C (PKC) activator drugs at /class/protein-kinase-c-pkc-activator.

What development phase is Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) in?

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) is in Phase 3.

What are the side effects of Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®)?

Common side effects of Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) include Application site erythema, Application site pain, Application site edema, Application site pruritus, Application site erosion.

What does Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) target?

Ingenol Mebutate (Picato®) targets Protein kinase C (PKC) and is a Protein kinase C (PKC) activator.

Related

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing