P626 JNJ-77242113, an oral peptide selectively targeting the IL-23 receptor, demonstrates pharmacodynamic activity in rat and human colon tissue explants following oral dosing

Abstract Background The interleukin (IL)-23 pathway is a pathogenic driver in psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are currently no approved oral therapies selectively targeting the IL-23 pathway. JNJ-77242113 (JNJ-2113) is a targeted oral peptide that binds the IL-23 receptor with high affinity, and potently and selectively inhibits IL-23 proximal signaling and downstream cytokine production. Oral JNJ-2113 showed dose-dependent inhibition of IL-23–induced IL-17A production in rat blood and attenuated signs of disease in a rat colitis model. A Phase 1 study showed inhibition of IL-23–induced IFN-γ production in blood from participants dosed with JNJ-2113 (Fourie et al. ISID. 2023). Methods We evaluated IL-23–induced IL-22 expression in colon tissue after exposure to JNJ-2113 or JNJ-2100 (a tool molecule with similar affinity and potency). IL-22 mRNA was measured after IL-23 stimulation in rat colon biopsies treated with JNJ-2100 in vitro or in colon tissue from rats 6 h after oral JNJ-2100 dosing. Human colon explants from donors were treated in vitro with JNJ-2100 or JNJ-2113, stimulated with IL-23, and IL-22 mRNA was measured. Colon and rectum biopsies from healthy participants dosed for 10 days with oral JNJ-2113 or placebo in a Phase 1 study were obtained, stimulated with IL-23 ex vivo, and IL-22 mRNA was evaluated. Results Overall, inhibition of IL-23–induced IL-22 expression was observed in colon tissue exposed to JNJ-2100 or JNJ-2113. Dose-dependent inhibition of IL-22 expression was observed in rat colon biopsies exposed to JNJ-2100 in vitro. Colon explants from rats dosed with 0.3, 3, and 30 mg/kg oral JNJ-2100 showed dose-dependent inhibition of IL-22 expression (52%, 88% and 96%, respectively) compared with explants from rats treated with vehicle. Human colon explants exposed to JNJ-2100 or JNJ-2113 in vitro also showed dose-dependent inhibition of IL-23–induced IL-22 expression, with >90% inhibition at the highest doses. Importantly, in colon biopsies from Phase 1 participants dosed with oral JNJ-2113 versus placebo, significant inhibition of IL-23–induced IL-22 expression was seen (P<0.05), with an average of 65% and 66% inhibition observed in sigmoid colon and rectum biopsies, respectively. Conclusion These results demonstrate pharmacodynamic activity of JNJ-2100 in vitro and ex vivo in rat colon tissue, of JNJ-2100 and JNJ-2113 in vitro in human colon explants, and of JNJ-2113 in colon biopsies from healthy human volunteers. These data support development of JNJ-2113 for the treatment of IBD. Of note, a Phase 2b dose-ranging study has demonstrated clinical activity of JNJ-2113 in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (NCT05223868).