orka-001

ORKA-001 is a novel, extended half-life humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that specifically targets the interleukin-23 subunit p19 (IL-23p19). It is designed for subcutaneous administration and has been engineered to achieve significantly longer half-life than currently marketed IL-23p19 inhibitors such as risankizumab and guselkumab. ORKA-001 binds IL-23 with high affinity (below 20 pM), potently inhibits STAT3 activity in cell lines, and suppresses IL-17 secretion in IL-23-stimulated human PBMCs. Preclinical data suggest that its pharmacokinetic profile could allow dosing just once or twice per year while maintaining high antibody exposures. The drug is being developed primarily for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, aiming to improve disease clearance rates and reduce dosing frequency compared to existing therapies[1][2][3][4][6].