Biopharmaceutical company InnoCare Pharma (HKEX:09969) (SSE:688428) reported on Friday that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase II/III clinical trial of Soficitinib (ICP-332) for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo in China.

The trial marks a key milestone in the development of the company's TYK2 inhibitor for autoimmune disorders.

Soficitinib is a selective TYK2 inhibitor targeting various T-cell related autoimmune disorders, including vitiligo, atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis. TYK2 is part of the JAK kinase family and is central to the JAK-STAT signalling pathway, a critical component in inflammatory disease progression.

Vitiligo, affecting 0.5% to 2% of the global population, results in depigmented skin due to melanocyte destruction and typically requires long-term treatment. Therapy aims to stabilise the disease, promote repigmentation and prevent recurrence.

InnoCare is also advancing Soficitinib in a Phase III registrational trial for atopic dermatitis, reflecting the drug's broader potential in autoimmune indications.