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Topical corticosteroids (TCS)
Topical corticosteroids (TCS) is a Corticosteroid Small molecule drug developed by AbbVie. It is currently in Phase 3 development for Inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis, Pruritus and other dermatological inflammatory disorders.
Topical corticosteroids suppress local immune and inflammatory responses by binding to glucocorticoid receptors in skin cells, reducing inflammation, itching, and redness.
Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are used to treat conditions such as atopic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, dermatologic disease, and dermatitis. They are administered as small molecules in combination with other treatments, such as tralokinumab, for efficacy and safety evaluation.
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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). -
Big-pharma sponsor
+3.0pp
AbbVie is a top-20 pharma sponsor — historical approval rates run ~3pp above average due to scale, regulatory experience, and trial-design quality.
| 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 name | Topical corticosteroids (TCS) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | AbbVie |
| Drug class | Corticosteroid |
| Target | Glucocorticoid receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Dermatology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Corticosteroids work by penetrating the skin and binding to intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, which then translocate to the nucleus and modulate gene expression. This leads to decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced immune cell infiltration, and suppression of inflammatory mediators. The result is rapid reduction of erythema, pruritus, and other signs of cutaneous inflammation.
Approved indications
- Inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis
- Pruritus and other dermatological inflammatory disorders
Common side effects
- Skin atrophy
- Striae
- Telangiectasia
- Local skin irritation or burning
- Systemic absorption (with prolonged use on large areas)
Key clinical trials
- A Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Tralokinumab in Combination With Topical Corticosteroids in Children and Infants With Moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis (PHASE3)
- Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Combination With Topical Corticosteroids in Children From 2 to Less Than 12 Years of Age in Japan With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis (PHASE3)
- A Study of Lebrikizumab (LY3650150) in Participants 6 Months to <18 Years of Age With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis (PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate Rocatinlimab (AMG 451) in Adolescent Participants With Moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis (AD) (PHASE3)
- A Study to Evaluate Upadacitinib in Combination With Topical Corticosteroids in Adolescent and Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis (PHASE3)
- An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study Being Conducted in Women With Atopic Dermatitis Exposed to Ruxolitinib Cream Versus Topical Corticosteroids During Pregnancy: A US Claims Database Analysis
- A Study Assessing Rocatinlimab in Combination With Topical Corticosteroid and/or Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors in Adult Participants With Moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis (AD) (PHASE3)
- A Study of Lebrikizumab (LY3650150) With/Without Topical Corticosteroid Treatment in Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial 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:
- Topical corticosteroids (TCS) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Topical corticosteroids (TCS) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- AbbVie portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Topical corticosteroids (TCS)
What is Topical corticosteroids (TCS)?
How does Topical corticosteroids (TCS) work?
What is Topical corticosteroids (TCS) used for?
Who makes Topical corticosteroids (TCS)?
What drug class is Topical corticosteroids (TCS) in?
What development phase is Topical corticosteroids (TCS) in?
What are the side effects of Topical corticosteroids (TCS)?
What does Topical corticosteroids (TCS) target?
Related
- Drug class: All Corticosteroid drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting Glucocorticoid receptor
- Manufacturer: AbbVie — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Dermatology
- Indication: Drugs for Inflammatory skin conditions including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and contact dermatitis
- Indication: Drugs for Pruritus and other dermatological inflammatory disorders
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing