TAK - Takeda hits main goals in mid-stage trial for plaque psoriasis therapy

2023-03-20 06:45:56 ET

TAK-279, an experimental tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical ( NYSE: TAK ), reached the primary and secondary endpoints in a mid-stage trial for patients with plaque psoriasis, the company announced.

The Phase 2b study trial involved 259 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, a common form of chronic skin condition, psoriasis.

After 12 weeks, during which trial participants received one of four doses of once-daily TAK-279 or placebo, a greater statistically significant portion of those who received the experimental therapy achieved near-total or total skin clearance compared to the placebo group.

More specifically, a higher percentage of TAK-279-treated patients achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, 90, and 100 across 5mg, 15mg, and 30mg dosing arms, thus achieving primary and secondary endpoints of the study, Takeda ( TAK ) said.

The incidence of adverse events stood at 53-62% in the treatment arms and 44% in the placebo arm, while most adverse events were mild to moderate in severity.

Takeda ( TAK ) plans to begin a Phase 3 study for TAK-279 in psoriasis in FY23. And a Phase 2b study for the treatment in psoriatic arthritis is also expected to generate topline results in FY23.

“The highly selective TYK2 inhibition seen with TAK-279 spares inhibition of other members of the Janus kinase (JAK) family, which we believe should avoid JAK-related toxicities,” Andy Plump Takeda’s ( TAK ) President R&D, said.

Read: Seeking Alpha contributor Individual Trader issued a Hold rating on Takeda ( TAK ) last week, citing, among other things, the company’s “ sluggish dividend growth rate.”

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