Takeda declares positive results in Phase 2b Study of TAK-279 in people with moderate-to-severe Plaque Psoriasis

“The Phase 2b TAK-279 results demonstrate a strong overall clinical benefit and, importantly, a significant number of patients reached PASI 90 or 100, achieving near-total or total skin clearance,” said April Armstrong, M.D., MPH, clinical investigator in the Phase 2b study and Associate Dean and Professor of Dermatology at the University of Southern California. “These results further support the potential of highly selective TYK2 inhibition to provide an effective and convenient oral treatment option for people living with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are not achieving optimal skin clearance with current therapies. I look forward to the results of future clinical trials."

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system causes skin cells to multiply too quickly

In the Phase 2b study, 259 patients were randomized (1:1:1:1:1 ratio) to receive one of four doses of TAK-279 once-daily, or placebo for 12 weeks. Results showed:

• A significantly greater proportion of TAK-279 patients achieved PASI 75 (44%, 68%, 67%; 5mg, 15mg, 30mg, respectively) versus placebo (6%; p<0.001), meeting the study’s primary endpoint.
• A significantly greater proportion of TAK-279 patients achieved PASI 90 (21%, 45%, 46%; 5mg, 15mg, 30mg, respectively) versus placebo (0%; p<0.001), and PASI 100 (10%, 15%, 33%; 5mg, 15mg, 30mg, respectively) versus placebo (0%; p<0.001 at 30mg).
• A significantly greater proportion of TAK-279 patients achieved Physician Global Assessment (PGA) scores of 0/1 (27%, 49%, 52%; 5mg, 15mg, 30mg, respectively) or 0 (10%, 15%, 33%; 5mg, 15mg, 30mg, respectively) versus placebo (4% [p≤0.001] and 0% [p<0.001 at 30mg], respectively) at 12 weeks. A PGA score of 1 indicates almost clear skin and 0 indicates totally clear skin.
• There were no statistically significant differences in PASI or PGA response rates seen in the TAK-279 2mg arm* (18%, 2%, 10%, 2%; PASI 75, PASI 100, PGA 0/1, PGA 0, respectively) compared to placebo.

“These compelling TAK-279 data strengthen its potential for people with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. 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,” said Andy Plump, President R&D, Takeda. “We are confident that we can execute a comprehensive development program and deliver a potential best-in-class therapy for patients, given Takeda’s strong background in immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease.”

Based on these Phase 2b results, Takeda will initiate a Phase 3 study of TAK-279 in psoriasis in FY2023. Takeda expects topline results from a Phase 2b study in psoriatic arthritis in FY2023 and will be evaluating TAK-279 in additional immune-mediated diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Other indications will be explored in the future.

Results from the Phase 2b study have no impact on the full year consolidated reported forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 (Fiscal Year 2022).

*In the TAK-279 2mg arm, the PASI 90 response rate was 8% with a nominal p-value = 0.037 compared to placebo.