Corvus Pharmaceuticals Initiated Soquelitinib Trial

The drug candidate is undergoing testing for the treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Biotech

Isometric editorial illustration showing a symbolic capsule and abstract enzyme structure, representing pharmaceutical research into a new inflammatory disease treatment. — Corvus Pharmaceuticals has initiated a Phase 1b clinical trial to evaluate the oral drug candidate soquelitinib for the treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Corvus Pharmaceuticals has begun enrollment for a Phase 1b clinical trial of soquelitinib. The study assesses the drug as a potential treatment for patients 18 years and older living with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

Why it matters

Hidradenitis suppurativa is driven by Th17 cells, and the selective inhibition of ITK by soquelitinib aims to shift T cell differentiation to suppress these inflammatory reactions.

Participants receive 200 mg of soquelitinib twice daily for a 12-week treatment period. The study includes a 90-day follow-up phase to evaluate safety and skin and blood biomarkers.

The players

Corvus Pharmaceuticals

This South San Francisco-based company develops small molecule drugs to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases.

The details

The trial measures the proportion of patients achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response 50/75 at week 12 as a key efficacy endpoint. Soquelitinib operates as an oral small molecule drug that selectively targets ITK to mitigate disease progression.

Enrollment began for the trial on September 30, 2026.
Patients are assessed for HiSCR 50/75 efficacy at week 12.
A Phase 2 clinical trial for asthma is planned to start later this year.

The Tech Race

This study follows the research trajectory established by Corvus Pharmaceuticals' soquelitinib development pipeline, which already includes active trials for T cell lymphoma, atopic dermatitis, and autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome. The move reflects a broader industry focus on ITK inhibition to address complex immune-mediated conditions.

While this trial is limited to 25 patients, successful outcomes could eventually provide a new oral treatment option for those suffering from hidradenitis suppurativa. Patients currently managing the condition should consult with their healthcare providers regarding future study enrollment or treatment availability.

The takeaway

The study highlights the potential of oral small molecule inhibitors to reshape treatment protocols for chronic autoimmune disorders. Patients and providers should monitor the results from the 90-day follow-up period to understand the drug's safety profile and therapeutic viability.