Genentech develops inhalable JAK-1 inhibitor for asthma

Genentech Inc. scientists developed an inhalable Janus kinase-1 (JAK-1) inhibitor and suggested the small molecule could help treat asthma with a better safety profile than JAK inhibitors that act systemically. The Roche (SIX:ROG; OTCQX:RHHBY) unit published the findings in Science Translational Medicine.

Some asthma patients do not respond to available inhaled drugs. While preclinical studies have shown that systemic JAK inhibition could help treat asthma, concomitant side effects associated with JAK inhibition such as anemia and immunosuppression are considered unacceptable for an asthma therapy...