InnoCare Pharma (HKEX: 9969; SSE: 688428), a leading biopharmaceutical company focusing on the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases, announced that the first patient has been dosed in the global Phase II clinical trial of its novel TYK2 inhibitor, Soficitinib (ICP-332), for the treatment of patients with prurigo nodularis in China.

Soficitinib is a potent and selective TYK2 inhibitor that is being developed for the treatment of various T-cell related autoimmune disorders. The Current indications under development are strategically positioned within the vast dermatology market, including atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, prurigo nodularis, urticaria, and more. TYK2 plays a key role in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and is critical in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases.

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe itching and skin nodules, which significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Soficitinib alleviates symptoms by blocking the signaling pathways of cytokines related to itching and inflammation, such as IL-4, IL-13, and IL-31, thereby reducing neurogenic itch responses and inhibiting skin inflammation.

There are about 10 million patients with prurigo nodularis worldwide¹. The global prurigo nodularis market was valued at US$2 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to US$3 billion in 2034².

Dr. Jasmine Cui, Co-founder, Chairwoman, and CEO of InnoCare, said, “InnoCare's pipeline under development now covers ten major autoimmune diseases, with a particular focus on dermatological conditions. The Phase II clinical study of Soficitinib for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis demonstrated outstanding efficacy and a strong safety profile. The data has been released as a late-breaking oral presentation at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting. We are accelerating global clinical development to bring innovative therapies to more autoimmune patients as early as possible.”