Zai Lab Initiates Global Phase 2 Clinical Trial Evaluating ZL-1102 As a Topical Treatment for Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) today 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.

“This study marks an important milestone in Zai’s evolution and is a testament to our outstanding internal R&D team’s commitment to develop novel therapies to help patients across the globe,” said Josh Smiley, President and Chief Operating Officer, Zai Lab.

“ZL-1102 is the first IL-17 targeted topical treatment in development for patients with less severe forms of CPP. Formulated to be applied directly to psoriatic skin lesions, we hope it can bypass unnecessary tissue exposure and avoid systemic toxicity commonly associated with intravenous or subcutaneous therapies,” said Harald Reinhart, M.D., President and Head of Global Development, Neuroscience, Autoimmune & Infectious Diseases, Zai Lab. “ZL-1102 exemplifies the innovative, patient-focused R&D programs in our internal discovery and development pipeline. We aim to bring this novel treatment option to patients in need as quickly as possible.”

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.¹