Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. Announces Termination of Promotion Agreement with Kowa
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. Announces Termination of Promotion Agreement with Kowa
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing meaningful innovations in immuno-dermatology, today announced that on January 23, 2026, the Company and Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. mutually agreed to terminate their promotion agreement. The agreement covered sales and promotion of ZORYVE® (roflumilast) by Kowa to primary care physicians and pediatricians in the United States.
Following the termination, Arcutis plans to assume responsibility for sales and promotion of ZORYVE in the pediatric and primary care settings. The Company is finalizing its plans for promotion to these clinicians and will provide further updates during the Q4 earnings call on February 25, 2026. This initiative is distinct from and in addition to the targeted expansion of the Company’s dermatology salesforce, which will remain focused on serving dermatology clinicians and growing prescriptions of ZORYVE in dermatology practices.
“Our promotion agreement with Kowa has laid important groundwork for the promotion of ZORYVE in the primary care and pediatric markets,” said Frank Watanabe, president and CEO of Arcutis. “As a once-daily topical that can be used anywhere on the body and for any duration, ZORYVE has the potential to simplify disease management across three major inflammatory skin diseases. In 2026, we are well-positioned to drive adoption and growth of ZORYVE in the primary care market through incremental investments that we will scale over time, while maximizing the growth of ZORYVE in dermatology.”
Under the terms of the Termination Agreement, Kowa will cease all sales and promotions of ZORYVE and Arcutis will not be required to make any further payments. The Company expects to remain cash flow break even and does not expect this change to negatively affect 2026 net product sales guidance.
INDICATIONS
ZORYVE cream, 0.05%, is indicated for topical treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients 2 to 5 years of age.
ZORYVE cream, 0.15%, is indicated for topical treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
ZORYVE cream, 0.3%, is indicated for topical treatment of plaque psoriasis, including intertriginous areas, in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
ZORYVE topical foam, 0.3%, is indicated for the treatment of plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.
ZORYVE topical foam, 0.3%, is indicated for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis in adult and pediatric patients 9 years of age and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
ZORYVE is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh B or C).
Flammability: The propellants in ZORYVE foam are flammable. Avoid fire, flame, and smoking during and immediately following application.
The most common adverse reactions reported (≥1%) for ZORYVE cream 0.05% for pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis 2 to 5 years of age were upper respiratory tract infection (4.1%), diarrhea (2.5%), vomiting (2.1%), rhinitis (1.6%), conjunctivitis (1.4%), and headache (1.1%).
The most common adverse reactions reported (≥1%) for ZORYVE cream 0.15% for patients with atopic dermatitis 6 years of age or older were headache (2.9%), nausea (1.9%), application site pain (1.5%), diarrhea (1.5%), and vomiting (1.5%).
The most common adverse reactions reported (≥1%) for ZORYVE cream 0.3% for plaque psoriasis were diarrhea (3.1%), headache (2.4%), insomnia (1.4%), nausea (1.2%), application site pain (1.0%), upper respiratory tract infection (1.0%), and urinary tract infection (1.0%).
The most common adverse reactions reported (≥1%) for ZORYVE foam 0.3% for plaque psoriasis were headache (3.1%), diarrhea (2.5%), nausea (1.7%), and nasopharyngitis (1.3%).
The most common adverse reactions reported (≥1%) for ZORYVE foam 0.3% for seborrheic dermatitis were nasopharyngitis (1.5%), nausea (1.3%), and headache (1.1%).
ZORYVE is for topical use only and not for ophthalmic, oral, or intravaginal use.
Please see full Prescribing Information for ZORYVE cream and full Prescribing Information for ZORYVE foam.
About Arcutis
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT) is a commercial-stage medical dermatology company that champions meaningful innovation to address the urgent needs of individuals living with immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions. With a commitment to solving the most persistent patient challenges in dermatology, Arcutis has a growing portfolio of advanced targeted topicals approved to treat three major inflammatory skin diseases. Arcutis’ unique dermatology development platform coupled with our dermatology expertise allows us to develop differentiated therapies against biologically validated targets, and has produced a robust pipeline for a range of inflammatory dermatological conditions. For more information, visit www.arcutis.com or follow Arcutis on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For example, statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Arcutis’ plans to promote ZORYVE and further penetrate the primary care and pediatric segments, as well as expectations regarding the adoption, growth, and commercial success of ZORYVE. These statements are subject to substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ include risks inherent in our business, reimbursement and access to our products, the impact of competition and other important factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 25, 2025, as well as any subsequent filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that the company makes in this press release are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.
Contacts:
Media
Amanda Sheldon, Head of Corporate Communications
media@arcutis.com
Investors
Brian Schoelkopf, Head of Investor Relations
ir@arcutis.com