LAS37779

LAS37779 is a small molecule phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that was developed by Laboratorios Almirall, S.A. for the topical treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. PDE4 is an enzyme responsible for the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in inflammatory cells; by inhibiting this enzyme, LAS37779 increases intracellular cAMP levels, which in turn suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-17, and IL-23. The drug was evaluated in a Phase 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial (NCT02533843) as a 1% cream formulation applied twice daily for 8 weeks, comparing its efficacy and safety against a vehicle cream and calcipotriol 0.005% cream. Following the completion of Phase 2 clinical development, Almirall decided to discontinue the program.