Vitae Pharmaceuticals’ VTP-43742 psoriasis drug succeeds in phase 2a trial

Patients taking a 350 mg dose of the drug demonstrated a 24% reduction, while patients who took the 700 mg dose showed a 30% reduction compared to a placebo.

The company said for both doses, clinically relevant and statistically significant reductions (p<0.015) were observed relative to baseline values.

VTP-43742 is intended to treat several autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis, via the potent inhibition of IL-17 secretion from Th17 cells and blocking the action of IL-23.

In preclinical trials, VTP-43742 has been seen to inhibit ROR?t activity, which is highly selective when compared other ROR isotypes. It has a human oral dosing schedule of once-a-day.

The efficacy potential of the drug was demonstrated in an animal model of multiple sclerosis where it was demonstrated to be superior in direct comparison to an IL-17A monoclonal antibody.

Commenting on the latest results, Vitae Pharmaceuticals president and CEO Jeff Hatfield said: "We believe these data validate ROR?t as an exciting and novel therapeutic target for the treatment of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders.

"While the autoimmune market is currently dominated by injectable antibody therapy, we believe VTP-43742 has the potential to expand utilization of oral therapy in a variety of autoimmune disorders, such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease with an effective, safe and well tolerated, once-a-day agent."

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting the skin. It causes cells to quickly multiply and build up on the skin’s surface, leading to red scaly patches that are itchy and painful.