TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

KYBELLA (deoxycholic acid)

Trial Activity: Stable 2 active trials
Dermatology Approved 2015-04-29

Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is a cytolytic agent indicated for the improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with submental fat in adults. Its use is specifically limited to the submental region; safety and efficacy for the treatment of subcutaneous fat outside this area have not been established and are not recommended.

Source: FDA Label • AbbVie • Cytolytic Agent

How KYBELLA Works

Kybella is a cytolytic drug that physically destroys the cell membrane of adipocytes (fat cells) upon injection into tissue. This disruption leads to cell lysis, resulting in the permanent destruction of the targeted fat cells in the submental area.

Development Insights

Massachusetts General Hospital conducting 3 trials (60%)
6 indications explored (Moderate)
neurofibromatosis 1 (2 trials)
facial contouring (1 trials)
lipoma (1 trials)
1
Indication
--
Phase 3 Trials
11
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2015-04-29
Patent Cliff
2032

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Patent cliff and revenue data

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Routes
SUBCUTANEOUS
Dosage Forms
SOLUTION

Companies

Active Ingredient: DEOXYCHOLIC ACID

KYBELLA Approval History

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
5 FDA actions from 2015 to 2022
Oct 2022 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
May 2020 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jan 2018 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What KYBELLA Treats

1 indications

KYBELLA is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2015. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Submental Fat
Source: FDA Label

Drugs Similar to KYBELLA

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

DEOXYCHOLIC ACID
DEOXYCHOLIC ACID
1 shared
WILSHIRE PHARMS INC
Shared indications:
Submental Fat
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Clinical Trial Registry

8 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT06300502 2023P003620 Ph 1 enrolling by invitation Assessing the Efficacy of Repeat, Monthly Treatments of Deoxycholate for NF1 Associated Cutaneous Neurofibromas (cNFs)
NCT06783621 US Harmony M24-704 Ph 4 completed A Study to Evaluate Patient Satisfaction With the Overall Face and Neck Appearance After Combined Treatment of OnabotulinumtoxinA, JUVÉDERM® Products, KYBELLA, CoolSculpting Elite and SkinMedica Products
NCT07237425 SDC003 Ph 1 recruiting Intralesional Ronkyla Plus Injection for the Treatment of Superficial Lipoma
NCT06132165 2023P002152 Ph 1 completed Efficacy of Skin Cooling in Reducing Pain Associated With Non-invasive Treatments of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Cutaneous Neurofibromas
NCT06120036 2022P001946 Ph 1 completed Dosing and Tolerability of Deoxycholic Acid vs. Polidocanol in the Treatment of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Cutaneous Neurofibromas
NCT04730583 2020P004137 Ph 1 completed Tolerability of Device Based Therapies for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Cutaneous Neurofibromas
NCT04089722 60E56 Ph 4 completed Efficacy and Safety of Deoxycholic Acid Injections for Removal of Adipose Tissue in the "Bra Strap Fat" Region
NCT02035267 results posted ATX-101-13-27 Ph 3 completed Safety Study of ATX-101 (Deoxycholic Acid) in Subjects With Mild or Extreme Fullness of Submental Fat
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

KYBELLA FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

KYBELLA is indicated for the treatment of Submental Fat.

View full patent landscape →
14 OB patents · 7 families · 166 international docs across 28 countries

KYBELLA Patents & Exclusivity

Latest Patent: Feb 2032

Patents (14 active)

US12161653 Expires Feb 17, 2032
US8653058 Expires Mar 2, 2030
US8367649 Expires Mar 2, 2030
US8101593 Expires Mar 2, 2030
US10500214 Expires Mar 2, 2030
US8242294 Expires May 16, 2028
US9949986 Expires Feb 21, 2028
US9636349 Expires Feb 21, 2028
US9522155 Expires Feb 21, 2028
US8546367 Expires Feb 21, 2028
US8461140 Expires Feb 21, 2028
US8883770 Expires Feb 21, 2028
US7754230 Expires Dec 10, 2027
US7622130 Expires Dec 10, 2027
Source: FDA Orange Book

Pro Intelligence Preview

Deep insights for KYBELLA

Revenue Insights

  • Quarterly revenue tracking
  • Historical trend analysis

Patent Timeline

  • Cliff: 2032
  • 14 active patents

Trial Analysis

  • 5 total trials
  • Stage: Stable

Competitive Landscape

  • 1 similar drugs
  • Same target/indication analysis
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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.

How We Calculate These Metrics

Trial Activity Stage

Measures the current development activity pattern based on trial phases, status, and trends. Important: This measures R&D activity, not commercial lifecycle.

Trial statuses: "Active" means recruiting or ongoing. "Completed" means reached planned endpoint. "Terminated" means stopped early—often due to safety, efficacy, or business reasons.

  • Growth: High proportion of early-phase trials (Phase 1/2), active development
  • Expansion: Significant Phase 3 activity, approaching or pursuing approvals
  • Mature: Substantial Phase 4 post-marketing studies
  • Stable: Mixed phase distribution, steady development
  • Declining: Low active trial ratio, reduced R&D investment