At a Glance
- Company: Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRVS)
- Location: South San Francisco, California, USA
- Headline figures: Shares +166% to $21.41 (20 Jan); 72% mean EASI reduction vs 40% placebo
- Focus area: Soquelitinib (ITK inhibitor) for moderate‑severe atopic dermatitis
- Next steps: Phase 2 trial Q1 2026 (~200 patients)
What happened?
Corvus Pharmaceuticals reported positive cohort 4 data from its randomised, placebo‑controlled phase 1 trial of soquelitinib 200mg BID in moderate‑severe atopic dermatitis, sending shares up 166% to $21.41 on 20 January 2026. Treated patients (n=12) achieved 72% mean EASI reduction at day 56 vs 40% placebo (n=10); 75% hit EASI 75, 25% EASI 90, 33% IGA 0/1 (vs 20%, 0%, 0% placebo).
Why does it matter?
Soquelitinib, an oral ITK inhibitor, showed deepening responses over 8 weeks with clean safety (no SAEs) in patients post‑systemic therapies including dupilumab/JAKi. Efficacy exceeds Dupixent phase 3 benchmarks despite small n/smaller trial, validating ITK as upstream T‑cell regulator for inflammation.
Who’s behind it?
Corvus develops ITK inhibition for immune diseases/cancer; soquelitinib in phase 3 PTCL, phase 1 AD. CEO Richard Miller: “Data support novel mechanism regulating T‑cell pathways.”
How was it achieved?
56‑day treatment deepened responses vs 28 days; cohorts 1–4 consistent (70% EASI reduction overall); Tregs increased post‑treatment.
What’s next?
Phase 2 trial Q1 2026: ~200 patients (post‑topical/systemic failure), cohorts at 200mg QD/BID, 400mg QD vs placebo (12 weeks).
What are people saying?
CEO Richard Miller: “Successful phase 1; deepening responses without safety compromise bodes well for phase 2.”