New oral pill HPP737 aims to clear psoriasis in phase II trial

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects must voluntarily sign informed consent before any study-related procedures are initiated, be able to communicate effectively with the investigator, and be able to understand and comply with the requirements of this trial. * Age at the time of signing the informed consent: 18 years ≤ age ≤ 70 years, regardless of gender. * A documented history of chronic plaque psoriasis for ≥ 6 months. * Moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis meeting all of the following criteria: a) PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) score ≥12; and b) PGA (Physician's Global Assessment) score ≥3; and c) BSA (Body Surface Area) score ≥10%. * Subjects are considered suitable for systemic therapy and/or phototherapy and/or photochemotherapy for psoriasis by the investigator. * Body Mass Index (BMI): 18 kg/m2 ≤ BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2. Exclusion Criteria: * At screening, diagnosis of psoriasis is not chronic plaque-type psoriasis (e.g., pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, or guttate psoriasis). * Patients with drug-induced psoriasis (triggered by medications such as β-blockers \[beta-receptor blocking agents\], calcium channel inhibitors \[calcium channel blockers\], or lithium) are included. * Had a serious or systemic infection within 8 weeks before baseline that required intravenous anti-infective treatment or hospitalization due to infection. * Presence of other dermatological conditions considered by the investigator to interfere with psoriasis assessment (e.g., skin bacterial, fungal, or viral infections; seborrheic dermatitis). * History of inflammatory bowel disease or concurrent other active autoimmune diseases. * History or symptoms of malignancy in any organ system within 5 years prior to screening, whether or not treated, and regardless of evidence of recurrence or metastasis. * Subjects with a history of depression and/or who exhibit suicidal ideation or any suicidal behavior during the screening period and at baseline as assessed by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS, Posner K et al, 2011) will be excluded. If a subject answers "Yes" to any item on the C-SSRS questionnaire, or if the investigator clinically determines the subject to be at risk, the subject will be excluded from the study. * Donation of blood or blood loss ≥400 mL within 8 weeks prior to baseline and/or planned blood donation during the study period. * History of moderate-to-severe heart failure (New York Heart Association \[NYHA\] functional classification ≥Class 3), cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event, or other severe adverse events within 3 months prior to screening, and the investigator determines that such subjects are not suitable for participation in this clinical study. * Any clinical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes the subject unsuitable for participation in this clinical trial. * Known allergy to any component or excipient of the investigational product, or hypersensitivity to other biological agents. * Concomitant use of any of the following psoriasis treatments/medications: a) Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antagonist: ① Prior use of a single TNF-α antagonist (for example: use of adalimumab or infliximab within 60 days prior to baseline; use of golimumab within 90 days prior to baseline; use of etanercept within 28 days prior to baseline); ② or prior use of two or more TNF-α antagonists before screening. b) History of the use of other biologic agents prior to screening: including but not limited to anti-interleukin 17 (IL-17) agents, anti-IL-17 receptor agents, anti-IL-12/IL-23 class of drugs; c) Phototherapy/photochemotherapy (including psoralen plus ultraviolet A \[PUVA\] therapy, ultraviolet B \[UVB\], or systemic therapies \[e.g., methotrexate, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, etc.\]) within 4 weeks prior to baseline; d) Within 2 weeks prior to baseline, subjects received topical treatment for psoriasis, such as medium to high-potency corticosteroids, vitamin D3 derivatives, or retinoids; however, the following topical treatments are permitted: low-potency corticosteroids (potency classes 6-7), non-medicated shampoos (i.e., those not containing corticosteroids, vitamin D3 derivatives, calcineurin inhibitors, etc.), and emollients without α- or β-hydroxy acids. Received traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for psoriasis within 2 weeks before baseline. * Use of oral or injectable glucocorticoids within 2 weeks before baseline.