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Drug

Imiquimod

Approved · FDA / EMA
ClassToll-like receptor 7 agonistEmerging researchLate-stage developmentRising momentum
Also known as Aldara, Zyclara, Zyclara Pump, 4-Amino-1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo(4,5-c)quinoline+1 more

Aldara, Zyclara, Zyclara Pump, 4-Amino-1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo(4,5-c)quinoline, Imiquimodum.

4
Research papers
5
Active clinical trials
Toll-like receptor 7
Primary target
4
Regulatory events
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Combining Topical Imiquimod With Local Radiotherapy for Treatment of Mycosis Fungoides

Clinical trial2026-05-01Results expected Q2 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Topical Imiquimod for the Treatment of Oral Dysplastic Lesions With Clinical and Histologic Assessments

Clinical trial2026-03-04Results expected Q4 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Approval: Zyclara (EMA)

Regulatory2012-08-23EMA

Topical TLR7 agonist imiquimod can induce immune-mediated rejection of skin metastases in patients with breast cancer.

Research2012-07-05Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research

Approval: IMIQUIMOD (ANDA091308)

Regulatory2012-04-06FDA

Approval: Aldara (EMA)

Regulatory1998-09-18EMA

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Imiquimod
Aliases & brands
AldaraZyclaraZyclara Pump4-Amino-1-isobutyl-1H-imidazo(4,5-c)quinolineImiquimodum
RxNorm CUI
59943
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1282
ATC codes
D06BB10
UNII
P1QW714R7M
Primary mechanism
Toll-like receptor 7 agonist
Regulatory jurisdictions
emafda

Pharmacology & targets

1 target

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

Toll-like receptor 7
TLR7 · Q9NYK1
AGONISTToll-like receptor 7 agonist

Regulatory timeline

4 events

The complete regulatory record, grouped by authority — approvals, safety advisories and label changes. Each authority shows its most recent events; expand one to read its full history.

Approval / market entry confirmed across FDA and EMA (2012-04-062012-08-23)
Earliest approval
1998-09-18
Latest approval
2012-08-23
Authorities
FDA · EMA
Total events
4
fdaU.S. Food and Drug Administration· 2 events
2026-06-24Label change
Label change: IMIQUIMOD (ANDA091308)
Evidence ↗
2012-04-06ApprovalMulti-authority
Approval: IMIQUIMOD (ANDA091308)
Evidence ↗
emaEuropean Medicines Agency· 2 events
2012-08-23ApprovalMulti-authority
Approval: Zyclara (EMA)
Indication: Zyclara is indicated for the topical treatment of clinically typical, non-hyperkeratotic, non-hypertrophic, visible or palpable actinic keratosis of the full face or balding scalpShow full indication

Zyclara is indicated for the topical treatment of clinically typical, non-hyperkeratotic, non-hypertrophic, visible or palpable actinic keratosis of the full face or balding scalp in immunocompetent adults when other topical treatment options are contraindicated or less appropriate.

Evidence ↗
1998-09-18Approval
Approval: Aldara (EMA)
Indication: Imiquimod cream is indicated for the topical treatment of : External genital and perianal warts (condylomata acuminata) in adults. Small superficial basal cell carcinomas (sBCCs)Show full indication

Imiquimod cream is indicated for the topical treatment of : External genital and perianal warts (condylomata acuminata) in adults. Small superficial basal cell carcinomas (sBCCs) in adults. Clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic keratoses (AKs) on the face or scalp in immunocompetent adult patients when size or number of lesions limit the efficacy and/or acceptability of cryotherapy and other topical treatment options are contraindicated or less appropriate.

Evidence ↗

Data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), public domain (CC0).

Contains information from the European Medicines Agency (European Medicines Agency), © EMA, reused under CC BY 4.0.

Clinical trials

89 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
89
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2025
5
Active studies
4
Recruiting
37
Late-stage (III+)
61
Completed
23
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 89
Early Phase 16Phase 123Phase 1 / 24Phase 219Phase 2 / 33Phase 316Phase 411Phase N / A7

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Research activity

4 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20082012
Most influential

Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice is mediated via the IL-23/IL-17 axis.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) · 2009 · 1,628 cites

Topical TLR7 agonist imiquimod can induce immune-mediated rejection of skin metastases in patients with breast cancer.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2012 · 176 cites
Recent papers

Topical TLR7 agonist imiquimod can induce immune-mediated rejection of skin metastases in patients with breast cancer.

Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research · 2012 · 176 cites

Imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice is mediated via the IL-23/IL-17 axis.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) · 2009 · 1,628 cites
Major research themes1
Immunization1
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)2
  • Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research1
  • Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology1
Leading researchers
  • Adams S2
  • Bhardwaj N2
  • Chiriboga L2
  • Angiulli A1
  • Angiulli F1
  • Armstrong J1
  • Axelrod D1
  • Berman RS1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Beckman Laser Institute1
  • Erasmus Medical Center1
  • New York University Cancer Institute1
  • New York University School of Medicine1
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials
  • Regulatory event sources are credited in the Regulatory Timeline above.