Jiangsu Vcare Completes First Patient Enrollment in Phase II Clinical Trial of VC005 Topical Gel for Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis

　　Recently, Jiangsu Vcare Pharmatech Co., Ltd. (Jiangsu Vcare) announced the successful enrollment of the first participant in its Phase II clinical trial for VC005 topical gel, a self-developed next-generation highly selective JAK1 inhibitor, for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of VC005 gel in adult patients with mild-to-moderate AD, providing a critical data for dose selection in future clinical studies and further assesses the drug's safety profile.

　　In the Phase I clinical study completed in July, 2024, VC005 gel demonstrated excellent safety and significant efficacy. Compared to similar topical drugs already on the market, VC005 exhibits much lower systemic exposure in humans, potentially offering superior long-term safety for patients.

　　Additionally, the Phase III clinical trial for VC005 tablets, an oral formulation targeting moderate-to-severe AD, is currently enrolling participants. Preliminary results show significant patient benefits and a favorable safety profile.

　　About VC005

　　VC005 is a novel, potent, and highly selective second-generation JAK1 inhibitor independently developed by Jiangsu Vcare. By selectively inhibiting JAK1, the drug is designed for the treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as atopic dermatitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Compared to Upadacitinib, a leading marketed drug in its class, VC005 exhibits lower JAK2 inhibitory activity (based on in vitro kinase assay results), which may mitigate safety concerns associated with excessive JAK2 inhibition. Furthermore, since JAK1 synergizes with JAK3/TYK2 in multiple diseases, VC005's high selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2 may translate into superior clinical efficacy relative to other drugs in its class.

　　About Atopic Dermatitis (AD)

　　Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin disease characterized by dry skin, intense itching, and eczematous rashes, significantly impairing patients' quality of life. Epidemiologically, the global AD patient population is approximately 230 million, with an adult prevalence rate of 2%–8% in China, affecting over 70 million individuals. Among these, 67% are mild cases, and 33% are moderate-to-severe. Frost & Sullivan predicts that cases will grow at a compound annual rate of 1.7% from 2025 to 2030. Traditional treatments, such as corticosteroids, are associated with numerous adverse reactions and limited long-term benefits, making it challenging to achieve effective and stable control. In contrast, topical JAK1 small-molecule targeted inhibitors, as non-steroidal immunomodulators, may enhance treatment safety for mild-to-moderate AD patients while maintaining therapeutic efficacy.