Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) announced positive clinical trial
results for a topical formulation of its lead janus kinase (JAK)
inhibitor, INCB18424, in psoriasis. These results were obtained from a
multi-center three-month Phase IIb trial comparing three once-daily
doses of topical INCB18424 to vehicle in 200 patients with
mild-to-moderate psoriasis. In the trial patients treated with INCB18424
had a statistically significant improvement over placebo in the
reduction in total lesion score (erythema + scaling + thickness), which
was the primary efficacy endpoint of the trial. Statistical significance
was also achieved for the secondary endpoints: the Physician Global
Assessment score and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score.
INCB18424 was well tolerated at all doses and no clinically significant
effects were noted in hematology or other laboratory parameters.
Paul Friedman, M.D., Incyte's President and CEO, will review these
top-line clinical trial results during his corporate presentation at
12:00 pm (ET) today at the 2009 UBS Global Life Sciences Conference.
Dr. Friedman stated, "Our JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor was designed to block
signaling from multiple key cytokines implicated in psoriasis and it is
gratifying to see that topical INCB18424 met the primary and secondary
endpoints in this three-month Phase IIb trial. We believe the positive
safety and efficacy results achieved with this new mechanism of action
have the potential to differentiate topical INCB18424 from the topical
corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues which are limited by their
duration of use and/or their tolerability profile.”
Incyte intends to present full results from this Phase IIb trial at an
appropriate future scientific meeting.
To access today’s presentation at the UBS conference, please go to www.incyte.com
under Investor Relations, Events and Webcasts. Investors interested in
listening to the live webcast should log on before the start time in
order to download any software required. A replay of the presentation
will also be available.
About Incyte
Incyte Corporation is a Wilmington, Delaware-based drug discovery and
development company focused on developing proprietary small molecule
drugs for oncology, inflammation and diabetes. Incyte’s most advanced
compound, INCB18424, is in Phase III development for myelofibrosis. For
additional information on Incyte, visit the Company's web site at www.incyte.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set
forth in this press release, including statements with respect to the
potential to differentiate topical INCB18424 from the topical
corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues, are all forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ materially, including the high degree of risk
associated with drug development and clinical trials, the potential
failure of topical INCB18424 to differentiate from topical
corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues, uncertainties regarding the
therapeutic and commercial value of topical INCB18424 due to its early
stage in clinical trials, the results of further research and
development, the impact of competition and of technological advances and
the ability of Incyte to compete against parties with greater financial
or other resources, Incyte's ability to enroll a sufficient number of
patients for its clinical trials, and other risks detailed from time to
time in Incyte's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2009. Incyte disclaims any intent or obligation to update these
forward-looking statements.
