Ossy

Researchers are evaluating the safety and effects of the medicine ritlecitinib for treating severe alopecia areata in children aged 6 to under 12 years. Alopecia areata is a condition that causes significant hair loss. This study aims to compare how well ritlecitinib works for hair regrowth compared to a placebo, along with assessing its safety and impact on patient quality of life. The study includes three groups: one receiving a higher dose of ritlecitinib, one receiving a lower dose, and one receiving a placebo. All treatments are given as oral capsules taken once daily at home for 24 weeks. Participants eligible for the study have at least 50% scalp hair loss and specific vaccination or virus exposure history. After the 24-week treatment, participants may join a long-term extension study or complete a 4-week follow-up if not eligible. Participants will attend 8 clinic visits during the 6-month study and receive about 8 phone calls for monitoring. Assessments include measuring scalp hair loss using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT), evaluations of eyebrows and eyelashes, patient-reported outcomes on anxiety, depression, and quality of life, and pharmacokinetic sampling. Safety monitoring is ongoing to watch for potential risks associated with ritlecitinib.