TYK-2 inhibitor

TYK-2 inhibitor is a small molecule inhibitor of tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) being developed by Charite Universitaetsmedizin Berlin for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. TYK2 is a member of the Janus kinase (JAK) family that plays a critical role in the signaling pathways of interleukin-23 (IL-23), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and Type I interferons (IFN), which are key drivers of the inflammatory response in psoriasis. Unlike traditional JAK inhibitors that target the conserved ATP-binding site of JAK1, JAK2, and JAK3, selective TYK2 inhibitors often target the regulatory pseudokinase domain (JH2), allowing for high selectivity and potentially reducing off-target effects such as cytopenia or lipid elevations. The program has been investigated in Phase II clinical trials for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.