Takeda Pharmaceutical (TAK) said Thursday its drug zasocitinib for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis met primary and secondary endpoints in two phase 3 studies.

The studies showed the superiority of zasocitinib compared with placebo for the two primary endpoints, including a global assessment criteria and the psoriasis area and severity index standard after 16 weeks, with "significant" response seen as early as week and improvement continuing through 24 weeks.

The studies also met all 44 secondary endpoints, the company said.

Zasocitinib was also generally well-tolerated, with no new safety signals identified, the company said.

Plaque psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes thick patches on the skin and scalp.

Takeda said it plans to submit a new drug application with the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory authorities beginning in 2026.

Zasocitinib is also being studied compared with deucravacitinib in treating plaque psoriasis, as well as phase 3 studies in psoriatic arthritis and phase 2 studies in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis and other indications, the company said.

Shares of the company were up over 3% in recent premarket activity Thursday.