Takeda has released the outcome of two phase 3 studies of zasocitinib (TAK-279) in adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO), with data presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (ADD) Annual Meeting. 

An oral TYK2 inhibitor, zasocitinib, was studied in the randomised, multicentre Latitude PsO 3001 and 3002 studies, in which over half of patients who received the treatment achieved clear or almost clear skin at week 16. 

Melinda Gooderham, dermatologist, SKiN Centre for Dermatology, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, principal investigator for the Latitude PsO studies and presenting author, said: “Our goal in psoriasis treatment is clear or almost clear skin and previously this has been achieved primarily with injectable therapies. 

“These efficacy and safety results show it’s possible for a once-daily pill to deliver rapid, lasting skin clearance, highlighting the potential of zasocitinib to become a leading oral treatment option for plaque psoriasis.”

Zasocitinib was also seen to improve complete clearance, with responses for co-primary and key secondary endpoints continuing to increase until week 24 in both studies. 

With the safety profile of zasocitinib remaining consistent with prior studies, the treatment was generally well tolerated. 

Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 62.1% of patients who received zasocitinib, 46.9% of those dosed with placebo and 50.5% of apremilast patients, until week 16. 

The most common adverse events observed in those dosed until week 16 with the treatment were upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis and acne. 

Chinwe Ukomadu, senior vice president and head, Gastrointestinal & Inflammation Therapeutic Area Unit at Takeda, said: “The positive data also underscore zasocitinib’s potential to deliver rapid and durable results with a favourable safety profile consistent with phase 2b studies.”

Takeda plans to submit a New Drug Application with the US FDA and other regulatory authorities in 2026.