JAK inhibitors may soon be prescribed to treat hair loss in Korea as well.

According to industry sources, Lilly Korea is preparing to apply and expand the indication for its JAK inhibitor Olumiant (baricitinib) to severe alopecia areata to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. After the drug was approved in June for the indication by the US FDA, the company is quickly entering global commercialization.

Olumiant selectively and reversibly inhibits JAK1 and JAK2 to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and demonstrates an overall anti-inflammatory effect. It was first approved as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, then expanded its indication to atopic dermatitis in Korea and