Takeda Pharmaceutical has announced that its AI-assisted oral psoriasis drug zasocitinib proved safe and effective in late-stage trials. The once-daily pill outperformed placebo and the existing therapy apremilast in clearing skin for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. If approved, it would mark one of the first drugs discovered with artificial intelligence.
Takeda Pharmaceutical announced on December 18 that its experimental oral drug zasocitinib, also known as TAK-279, demonstrated safety and efficacy in late-stage clinical trials for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Patients taking the once-daily pill achieved significantly clearer skin compared to those on placebo or the established treatment apremilast, according to the company's statement. Takeda intends to submit the data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulators starting in fiscal year 2026.
The drug's discovery relied heavily on artificial intelligence, with algorithms speeding up the selection of zasocitinib from a vast array of molecules. Jeb Keiper, CEO of Nimbus Therapeutics, which originated the medicine, noted that these algorithms "significantly accelerated the identification" process. In 2023, Takeda acquired zasocitinib from the Boston-based Nimbus for an upfront payment of $4 billion, plus up to $2 billion in potential milestone payments.
This therapy forms part of Takeda's broader plan to mitigate revenue losses from generic competition to its blockbuster ulcerative colitis drug Entyvio. Analyst Stephen Barker at Jefferies Japan estimates that zasocitinib could reach peak sales of $5 billion if expanded to indications like inflammatory bowel disease. The global psoriasis market, valued at $27 billion in 2024, is expected to nearly double to $58 billion by 2032, per Fortune Business Insights. Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting over 125 million people worldwide, causes itchy, scaly rashes.
