Oral Plaque Psoriasis Drug Showed Promise in Trial
A new pill successfully reduced skin plaque symptoms in a recent clinical trial for patients in the United States.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Diseases — General
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Researchers have reported that the experimental oral drug ASC50 significantly reduced skin symptom severity in patients with plaque psoriasis. The findings, from a 28-day clinical trial, suggest a potential future oral alternative to current injectable treatments.
Why it matters
This development represents a potential shift in how patients manage plaque psoriasis, as current standard therapies often rely on injectable antibody treatments. Providing an oral option could improve convenience and access for those managing the condition.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants receiving 200 mg of ASC50 daily showed a 48.9% placebo-adjusted reduction in PASI skin scores after 28 days. The effect persisted post-treatment, with a 65.9% reduction observed 15 days after the final dose.
The players
Ascletis Pharma
A Hong Kong-based pharmaceutical company focused on the development of innovative treatments for viral diseases and inflammatory conditions like plaque psoriasis.
The details
The experimental drug works by targeting specific biological pathways involved in skin inflammation associated with plaque psoriasis. Unlike injectable antibodies that require clinical administration, this oral treatment is designed to maintain steady levels in the body, supported by a 6.5-day elimination half-life. The trial, which observed only mild adverse events with no hepatic safety signals, supports the potential for a once-weekly oral dosing schedule in future applications.
Timeline
September 29, 2026: Ascletis Pharma announced the clinical trial results.
28 days: The duration of the drug treatment phase.
6 days post-dose: PASI score reduction reached 60.7 percent.
15 days post-dose: PASI score reduction reached 65.9 percent.
Health Landscape
This study marks a potential departure from the current standard of care, which frequently relies on injectable antibody treatments. It joins a pipeline of oral research aimed at simplifying the management of chronic autoimmune skin conditions.
While these results are preliminary, they highlight a shift toward oral delivery systems for chronic dermatological conditions. If you currently manage plaque psoriasis, keep an eye on future updates and discuss emerging treatment options with your dermatologist.
The takeaway
The study suggests that oral medication may effectively manage plaque psoriasis symptoms with a favorable safety profile in the short term. Patients should follow future announcements from large-scale studies and discuss new treatment modalities with their primary care physician or specialist.
Further reading
For broader context on new research and emerging therapies, visit the Diseases — General section.
More information
Find additional details on the company's research pipeline via the Ascletis corporate information portal.
Live Poll
Would you prefer an oral medication over injectable treatments if you had a chronic skin condition?
