Zai Lab Limited announced that the first patient has been dosed in a global Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT06380907) evaluating the efficacy and safety of the company?s internally developed anti-IL-17 investigational therapy, ZL-1102, for the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis (CPP). ZL-1102 is a novel human VH antibody fragment (Humabody®) targeting the IL-17 cytokine. Emphasizing its unique approach, ZL-1102 is being developed as a topical treatment for mild-to-moderate CPP, differentiating it from other anti-IL-17 products that target moderate-to-severe forms of the disease through systemic administration.

Psoriasis affects about 125 million people worldwide; 80% to 90% of these individuals have plaque psoriasis and 70% to 80% of these cases are mild-to-moderate. Most systemic agents, i.e., oral and injectable medications, are prescribed for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Zai Lab previously reported data from the proof-of-concept study in patients with mild-to-moderate CPP in which topical treatment with ZL-1102 showed a 45% relative improvement compared to placebo in the local Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score of the target lesion at four weeks, and consistently higher responder rates over time compared to placebo during and after the end of treatment.

The Phase 2 global clinical trial of ZL-1102 is a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, dose-ranging study in patients with mild-to-moderate CPP. In this 5-arm trial, approximately 250 patients will receive topical therapy for 16 weeks. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving modified PASI75, which is at least a 75% reduction in the modified PASI score from baseline, at week 16.

The study will also determine the efficacy of different doses of ZL-1102 compared to placebo at the end of therapy. Secondary objectives include efficacy throughout the treatment period, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and anti-drug antibody (ADA).