Today, history was made as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Olumiant™ for alopecia areata, marking the first FDA-approved treatment for this disease. “This is the dawn of a new era,” said Nicole Friedland, President and CEO of the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. “For the first time, alopecia areata patients have the option of an approved treatment that has undergone rigorous testing in clinical trials. We anticipate more treatments to come, bringing additional choices to our community.” Olumiant™ (baricitinib), belongs to a class of medications known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Oluminant™ is approved by the FDA for adults with (severe) alopecia areata. Olumiant™, from manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF) supports research to find a cure or acceptable treatment for alopecia areata, supports those with the disease, and educates the public about alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune disease affecting nearly 7 million Americans that results in total or partial loss of scalp and body hair. Founded in 1981 and headquartered in San Rafael, CA, NAAF is widely regarded as the largest alopecia areata advocacy organization in the US. NAAF connects with more than 73,000 members of the alopecia areata community, including patients, family members, healthcare providers, and researchers through its support programs, email newsletters, website, research summits, and annual patient conference. NAAF is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit and a GuideStar Gold-Rated charity and meets the rigorous standards of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance and the National Health Council. Read the FDA Announcement here. For more information, email info@naaf.org, or connect with NAAF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Learn more: Read NAAF’s FAQ about Olumiant. Read about available treatments for alopecia areata.
