Innovent Announces a Phase 3 Study of Picankibart (Anti-IL-23p19 Antibody) Completes First Participant Dosing, Exploring Biologics Switching Treatment for Psoriasis Patients with Prior Inadequate Response to Anti-IL-17 Antibodies

SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncologic, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmologic and other major diseases, announces that the first participant has been successfully dosed in a Phase 3 clinical study of picankibart (recombinant anti-interleukin 23p19 subunit (IL-23p19) antibody, R&D code: IB112). This study is the first randomized, double-blind, controlled Phase 3 clinical study evaluating biologics switching in psoriasis patients with prior inadequate response to anti-IL-17 antibody. This study will evaluate the efficacy of picankibart in difficult-to-treat psoriasis patients who had inadequate response to prior anti-IL-17treatment, with the control group continuing to receive IL-17 inhibitors. The results are expected to provide robust clinical evidence supporting picankibart's therapeutic advantages in this challenging patient population.

This study (NCT06945107) is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled Phase 3 clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of switching to picankibart in plaque psoriasis patients with inadequate response to prior anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibody treatment (sPGA score of ≥ 2 and body surface area [BSA] of ≥3%). This study plans to enroll approximately 310 participants, who will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the picankibart treatment group or the continued IL-17 monoclonal antibody treatment group. The primary endpoint is the proportion of participants achieving a static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) score of clear (0) or almost clear (1) at week 16.

The results of a Phase 2 study (NCT05970978) showed that switching from other biologics (primarily IL-17 monoclonal antibodies) to picankibart led to a rapid clinical response. The observed efficacy in skin lesion clearance and significant improvements on the quality of life suggest picankibart may possess a best-in-class profile among agents with the same target.

• Nearly half (48.2%, 40/83) of the participants with inadequate response to prior biologics treatment reached the primary endpoint, i.e., sPGA 0 or 1 and BSA < 3%, and the response rate remained stable (54.2%, 45/83) through week 44 with continued picankibart maintenance treatment dosing every 12 weeks.
• The majority (64.6%, 42/65) of the participants with baseline sPGA ≥ 2 and BSA ≥ 3% achieved sPGA of 0 or 1, and 16.9% (11/65) of the participants achieved complete skin lesion clearance, i.e., sPGA of 0. The DLQI of the participants was also improved.

Professor Furen Zhang, the Principal Investigator of the Clinical Study, Dermatology Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, stated, "Psoriasis is a chronic condition that significantly affects patients' physical and mental well-being and quality of life. At present, biological agents have emerged as cornerstone systemic therapies for psoriasis, particularly IL-17 monoclonal antibodies due to their efficacy in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Nonetheless, treatment failure remains a significant clinical challenge. A real-world study showed that 28.5% of patients discontinued therapy due to primary failure (failing to meet the minimum efficacy criteria after 12 weeks of treatment), while 24.3% of patients experience secondary failure (failing to maintain a satisfactory quality of life when the efficacy of an effective biologic was attenuated)¹. For patients experiencing treatment failure, there is an urgent medical need for optimized treatment strategy. This randomized controlled Phase 3 study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of picankibart in patients with inadequate response to previous IL-17 monoclonal antibody treatment. I will collaborate closely with all investigators to ensure successful study completion. This trial will generate robust clinical evidence supporting biologic switching strategies in psoriasis treatment while potentially establishing a valuable new treatment option for the majority of patients with psoriasis."

Professor Jun Gu, the Principal Investigator of the Clinical Study, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, stated, "Although the IL-17 monoclonal antibody has shown significant efficacy for the treatment of psoriasis, there are still patients who will discontinue treatment due to poor efficacy or safety issues. A study on the biologics switching for psoriasis implied that the switching between biologics with different targets may provide better efficacy to patients², but rigorous clinical research evidence remain essential to validate this therapeutic approach. Extensive clinical data have demonstrated the therapeutic benefits of picankibart in psoriasis treatment. This randomized controlled Phase 3 study addresses a critical unmet need by evaluating picankibart as an alternative treatment for patients with inadequate response to IL-17 inhibitors. It aims to transform treatment failures into new starting points for optimized treatment pathways, providing scientific evidence for clinical decision-making, while also offering new hope of maintaining quality of life for patients who have experienced treatment setbacks."

Dr. Lei Qian from Innovent Biologics, stated, "With the wide application of biological agents, the failure of biological agents has gradually become an important clinical problem, which needs to be solved urgently. A completed Phase 2 single-arm study suggested that in patients with inadequate response to previous treatment with other biologics (mainly anti-IL-17 antibodies), up to 64.6% of patients achieved skin lesion clearance after 16 weeks of treatment with picankibart. This head-to-head Phase 3 randomized, double-blind clinical study will compare picankibart with IL-17 monoclonal antibody to strengthen picankibart clinical benefits for patients with inadequate response. I look forward to the success of this study, which will provide strong evidence and guidance for the clinical practice of psoriasis biologics switching. As the first IL-23p19 monoclonal antibody independently developed by a Chinese biopharma, picankibart's first new drug application for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has been submitted for the review by NMPA in September 2024, aiming to provide more treatment options for patients with psoriasis as soon as possible."

About Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, recurrent, inflammatory and systemic disease induced by genetic and environmental factors, affecting individuals of all ages and genders. It typically presents as scaly erythema or plaques, with non-infections, localized or widespread distribution. As a life-long noninfectious condition, psoriasis is notoriously difficult to treat. The disease can be categorized into psoriasis vulgaris (including guttate psoriasis and plaque psoriasis), pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis and arthropathic psoriasis. Approximately 80%~90% of patients have plaque psoriasis, with nearly 30% of the cases being moderate-to-severe. Global psoriasis prevalence varies significantly, with over 7 million patients in China alone. Current systemic treatments in China include methotrexate (MTX), cyclosporine A, retinoic acids, small molecule target agents and biological agents. Since 2019, biologics have become a central focus in psoriasis treatment, with IL-23 inhibitors standing out due to their rapid onset, robust efficacy, good safety, and long-lasting effects, which are more advantageous in comprehensive and deep lesion clearance and prolonging relapse-free periods. 

About Picankibart (IBI112)

Picankibart (IBI112) is a monoclonal antibody independently developed by Innovent with proprietary intellectual property rights. This product specifically targets the IL-23p19 subunit, preventing IL-23 from binding to cell surface receptors. Picankibart has the potential to offer a more effective treatment option for patients with psoriasis, ulcerative colitis or other autoimmune diseases.

Currently, multiple clinical studies of picankibart are underway, including:

• Phase 3 study conducted in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (CLEAR-1), which has reached the study endpoints in May 2024;
• Phase 3 study conducted in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with randomized withdrawal and re-treatment;
• Phase 3 study in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who were previously treated with biologics;
• Phase 2 study in patients with moderate-to-severe active ulcerative colitis;

In September 2024, the NMPA accepted the first NDA for picankibart for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

About Innovent

Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 15 products in the market. It has 3 new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, Adimab, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action," Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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REFERENCES:

1.      Gulliver SR, Gulliver W. Investigation of prevalence of biologic use and discontinuation rates in moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients in Newfoundland and Labrador using real-world data.  Dermatol Ther.  2021;34(3):e14944

2.      Tsai YC, Tsai TF.  Switching biologics in psoriasis - practical guidance and evidence to support.  Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol.  2020;13(5):493-503.

SOURCE Innovent Biologics