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Angel Pharmaceuticals Announces Full Initiation of Phase 1b/2 Clinical Trial of Soquelitinib in Atopic Dermatitis in China
January 29, 2026 – Angel Pharmaceuticals today announced that the Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of soquelitinib (CPI-818) in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) has been fully initiated at eight clinical trial sites across China. The trial is led by Shanghai Dermatology Hospital as the leading site. Soquelitinib is a clinical-stage, highly selective, oral small-molecule inhibitor of ITK (interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase). The U.S. Phase 1 clinical data released this month indicate that soquelitinib has the potential to become a blockbuster new first-line therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. We look forward to additional positive data from the ongoing clinical trial in China.
Angel Pharmaceuticals' Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of soquelitinib in AD patients builds on the preliminary results from Corvus Pharmaceuticals (CRVS), investigating longer treatment durations and additional dose options. The trial adopts a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design and enrolls patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD), with a 12-week treatment period.
About Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a chronic disease that causes skin inflammation, redness, scaling, blistering, and irritation. Current treatment options include topical therapies, oral medications, and systemic injectable biologic agents. Atopic dermatitis is frequently associated with other allergic conditions such as food allergies and asthma. Like asthma and allergies, atopic dermatitis involves Th2 lymphocytes, whose secreted cytokines drive inflammation. Preclinical studies have shown that soquelitinib inhibits cytokine production by Th2 lymphocytes. China has over 65 million AD patients, of whom nearly 28% have moderate-to-severe disease. The market size is expected to exceed $4 billion by 2030.
About Soquelitinib
Soquelitinib (CPI-818) is a clinical-stage, highly selective, oral small-molecule ITK inhibitor. ITK is primarily expressed in T cells and plays a role in the immune function of T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Studies have shown that soquelitinib can influence T-cell differentiation, induce the production of Th1 helper cells, while blocking the development of Th2 and Th17 cells and their cytokine production. Th1 cells are essential for immunity against tumors, viral infections, and other infectious diseases. Th2 and Th17 helper T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and allergic diseases. The company believes that inhibiting this specific molecular target in T cells may have therapeutic benefits for patients with cancers, including solid tumors, as well as those with autoimmune and allergic diseases. Recent studies have shown that ITK controls the switch between Th17 cells (pro-inflammatory) and regulatory T cells (anti-inflammatory). Inhibiting ITK promotes T-cell differentiation toward regulatory T cells, potentially suppressing autoimmune and inflammatory responses. Angel Pharmaceuticals holds the rights to soquelitinib in Greater China.
About Angel Pharmaceuticals
Angel Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative therapies for immune modulation, committed to developing breakthrough drugs to improve the treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory disorders by targeting key signaling pathways in T and B cells. The company is co-invested by Beta Fund, Hisun Pharmaceuticals, Tigermed, and Puhua Investment, and has established a strategic partnership with Corvus Pharmaceuticals (CRVS) of the U.S. For more information, please visit www.angelpharma.com.
