Q32’s bempikibart starts to differentiate from JAK inhibitors in alopecia

Non-JAK mechanisms took center stage in autoimmune skin disease this week. Q32 became the second company this year to report positive Phase II data in alopecia areata with a non-JAK inhibitor, while Forte and Teva reported Phase I data from vitiligo programs against CD122 and IL-15, respectively.

On Monday, Q32 Bio Inc. (NASDAQ:QTTB) announced that IL-7Rα inhibitor bempikibart reduced disease severity scores in part B of the Phase II SIGNAL-AA trial in severe alopecia areata patients. The result sent the biotech’s shares up 91%, lifting its market cap to over $360 million. Q32 proposed a $200 million public offering after market close...