The CEO notes that African Americans, who can have worse atopic dermatitis outcomes possibly due to a common genetic variant in the IL-4 receptor, showed no difference in response in their early data. This is a significant finding for a disease that disproportionately affects this community.
When questioned about a seemingly suspicious cluster of non-responders in trial data, the CEO clarified the event was not statistically improbable. He stated the chance of it happening randomly was a significant 25-30%, demonstrating how to counter narrative-based skepticism with quantitative analysis.
With clinical data validating ITK as a crucial therapeutic target, Corvus is 'doubling down' by developing second and third-generation molecules, including protein degraders and covalent inhibitors. This strategy aims to create a durable franchise by exploring the target from multiple angles, moving beyond their initial asset.
Due to soquelitinib's prolonged effect, which 'resets' the immune system long after the drug is cleared, the CEO envisions it as an intermittent therapy. This would move away from the standard daily-for-life treatment model for autoimmune diseases like atopic dermatitis, representing a potential 'holy grail' for treatment.
Unlike most trials that avoid patients who failed other therapies, Corvus intentionally included them, considering it a 'stacking deck against yourself'. This high-risk bet, based on their drug's unique mechanism, paid off by showing efficacy in a tough-to-treat population and demonstrating a lack of cross-resistance.