TAK-279 shows significant promise in psoriatic arthritis patients

Shares of Japanese pharma major Takeda (TYO; 4502) were up 2.6% at 4,664 yen today, after it announced positive top-line results from its randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose Phase IIb trial evaluating TAK-279, an investigational oral allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor with next generation selectivity, in people with active psoriatic arthritis.

The study met its primary endpoint with a greater proportion of patients treated once-daily with TAK-279 achieving at least a 20% improvement in signs and symptoms of disease (American College of Rheumatology 20 response) at week 12 compared to placebo, supporting its potential as a highly selective oral option for patients with psoriatic arthritis. The safety and tolerability profile of TAK-279 in the Phase IIb trial was consistent with previous TAK-279 clinical trials. Analysis of the results are ongoing, and Takeda plans to present clinical results at an upcoming medical meeting.

Takeda gained rights to TAK-279 from privately-held US drug discovery company Nimbus Therapeutics in December 2022, paying the latter a massive $4 billion upfront, and punting a further two milestone payments of $1 billion on sales achievements.