Ascletis Pharma Inc. has announced the dosing of the first participants in its U.S. Phase I clinical trial of ASC50, a potential best-in-class oral small molecule IL-17 inhibitor for the treatment of psoriasis. This trial is designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of ASC50. Preclinical data, showing higher oral exposure, longer half-life, and strong efficacy, suggest ASC50 could be a leading once-daily oral treatment option for psoriasis. The trial is randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, involving both healthy participants and patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. The results of this study are expected to be presented in the future.