InnoCare Pharma announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase II/III clinical trial of its novel TYK2 inhibitor, Soficitinib (ICP-332), for the treatment of patients with non-segmental vitiligo in China. Soficitinib is a potent and selective TYK2 inhibitor that is being developed for the treatment of various T-cell related autoimmune disorders, including vitiligo, atopic dermatitis (AD), prurigo nodularis, etc., with broad market potential. TYK2 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase and a member of the JAK kinase family.
It plays a key role in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and is critically involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Vitiligo happens when skin melanocytes are destroyed, leading to loss of pigment, and leaving white patches on the skin. Vitiligo affects approximately 0.5%-2%1 of the global population.
It is a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment. The goals of therapy include disease stabilization, repigmentation, and maintenance treatment to prevent recurrence of depigmentation. In addition to vitiligo, the clinical development of soficitinib for other autoimmune diseases is also progressing, including the Phase III registrational trial for atopic dermatitis.
