Artax Biopharma's AX-158: A Novel Approach to T Cell-Driven Inflammation in Psoriasis

At the 2025 Society for Investigative Dermatology (SID) Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, Artax Biopharma presented late-breaking data from their phase 2a study of AX-158, a first-in-class oral Nck modulator targeting T cell-driven inflammation. Scott Batty, MD, Artax’s Chief Medical Officer, and Chris VanDeusen, PhD, Artax’s Chief Scientific Officer, met with Dermatology Times and shared insights into the promising results from this proof-of-mechanism study in patients with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.

AX-158 represents a new approach in autoimmune disease management by modulating T cell receptor signaling through the Nck protein, rather than targeting specific cytokines. The 4-week study demonstrated histological improvements in psoriatic lesions, with compelling evidence of AX-158 activity in skin-infiltrating T cells. This provided the first clinical confirmation that the drug engages its intended mechanism in humans. Unlike traditional biologics that target specific immune pathways, Nck modulators allow for suppression of autoimmune pathology while preserving protective immune responses, addressing a key limitation in current therapies.

“We're trying to get the best of both,” VanDeusen said, “We're trying to downregulate the autoimmune responses broadly across all T cells, but at the same time, still allow those necessary and wanted defenses against pathogenic signaling like from viruses and bacteria.”

In terms of safety and efficacy, AX-158 maintained a favorable profile consistent with earlier phase 1 results. Efficacy endpoints were comparable to other early-stage therapies at the same time point. The oral option could deliver steroid-like effectiveness without the associated systemic adverse events, benefiting a wider range of patients who do not adequately respond to existing treatments.

“I think just broadly speaking, our vision for this drug, and given its breadth of applicability of the mechanism, is to really have a once-a-day oral drug with prednisone-like efficacy and none of the safety or long-term sequela effects of chronic use,” Batty said.

Looking ahead, Artax plans to expand AX-158’s development into additional dermatologic indications, with a 12-week phase 2 trial in atopic dermatitis next in line. Further studies in alopecia and vitiligo are also being considered. The company is also investing in extended toxicology programs to enable longer-duration trials, with the goal of progressing into phase 2b and phase 3 development stages.