InnoCare Pharma celebrates success in clinical study for psoriasis

InnoCare Pharma has exciting news to share in the field of dermatology. Their tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor (TYK2) ICP-488 reached the primary endpoint in a Phase II study for the treatment of psoriasis. The focus of the multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of ICP-488. The study included 129 adult Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, divided into three treatment groups. Participants received either 6 mg or 9 mg of ICP-488 once daily or a placebo over a period of twelve weeks. The results were promising: both dosages demonstrated an outstanding efficacy and safety profile. Significant improvements were achieved in both the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) in both drug groups. Particularly impressive is that after the twelve-week treatment period, 77.3% and 78.6% of patients in the 6 mg and 9 mg groups, respectively, reached a PASI 75 score, compared to a modest 11.6% in the placebo group. Additionally, 36.4% and 50% of those treated with ICP-488 achieved PASI 90, whereas not a single placebo patient reached this milestone. ICP-488 also convinced in terms of safety; most side effects were mild to moderate. As a selective, allosteric TYK2 inhibitor, ICP-488 works by blocking the signal transmission of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, which has a positive impact on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Dr. Jasmine Cui, co-founder and CEO of InnoCare, expressed her excitement about the results: "There remains a significant unmet medical need for psoriasis patients. We are pleased with the positive outcomes of the Phase II study and will continue to advance the clinical development of ICP-488.