Sonelokimab for Psoriatic Arthritis

(IZAR-2 Trial)

Recruiting at 109 trial locations

Overseen By Moonlake Clinical Trial Helpdesk

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Sponsor: MoonLake Immunotherapeutics AG

Must be taking: TNFα inhibitors

Must not be taking: Biologic immunomodulators

Disqualifiers: Chronic inflammatory conditions, IBD, others

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval) This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

600 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new treatment called sonelokimab to determine its effectiveness for people with psoriatic arthritis, particularly those who haven't responded to TNF inhibitors. Participants will receive either one of two doses of sonelokimab, a placebo, or another treatment called risankizumab. The trial seeks adults with psoriatic arthritis who have active symptoms like joint tenderness and swelling and who have not responded well to other treatments. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, offering participants the opportunity to contribute to the approval of a potentially effective new treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants must have had an inadequate response or intolerance to anti-TNFα therapy, which suggests that you may need to have tried and not responded well to certain medications before joining.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Studies have shown that sonelokimab is generally safe. In past research, participants experienced significant benefits quickly. Most people tolerated the treatment well, with few serious side effects. One study found that multiple doses of sonelokimab improved psoriasis and were safe for most participants. While some side effects might occur, they are usually manageable and not severe. For those considering joining a trial, these findings suggest sonelokimab could be a promising option with a history of being well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising for psoriatic arthritis?

Researchers are excited about sonelokimab for psoriatic arthritis because it targets the IL-17A/F cytokines, which play a key role in inflammation, offering a different mechanism compared to current treatments like TNF inhibitors or IL-12/23 blockers. Sonelokimab is administered subcutaneously, providing a convenient option for patients who prefer not having to visit a clinic for IV infusions. Additionally, the option of different dosing regimens may offer flexibility in managing treatment based on individual patient needs. These features make sonelokimab a promising alternative to existing therapies.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for psoriatic arthritis?

Research has shown that sonelokimab, which participants in this trial may receive, may help treat psoriatic arthritis by blocking certain proteins that cause inflammation. In earlier studies, sonelokimab improved joint symptoms in patients who did not respond well to other treatments. Specifically, it led to significant improvements in arthritis symptoms compared to a placebo. Patients also experienced major improvements in skin condition, which is crucial for those with skin issues. Overall, these findings suggest that sonelokimab could be an effective option for managing psoriatic arthritis symptoms. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 with active psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis who haven't responded well to or can't tolerate TNFα inhibitors. They must have at least 3 tender and swollen joints, not have rheumatoid arthritis markers, and meet specific diagnostic criteria.

Inclusion Criteria

I have tried 1 or 2 TNFα inhibitors for my PsA or PsO without success or stopped due to side effects.

I have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis for at least 6 months.

I tested negative for rheumatoid arthritis markers.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Induction Treatment

Participants receive an induction regimen of 4 doses of sonelokimab or placebo

8 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Maintenance Treatment

Participants receive maintenance dosing of sonelokimab or placebo every 4 weeks starting at Week 8

8 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Sonelokimab

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of Sonelokimab against a placebo in those unresponsive to anti-TNFα treatments. It aims to confirm if Sonelokimab is safe and works better for managing symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: sonelokimab dose 2 with an induction regimen Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects randomized to this arm will receive sonelokimab dose 2 SC as an induction regimen of 4 doses, followed by sonelokimab SC Q4W maintenance dosing starting at Week 8.

Group II: sonelokimab dose 1 with an induction regimen Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects randomized to this arm will receive sonelokimab dose 1 subcutaneously (SC) as an induction regimen of 4 doses , followed by sonelokimab SC every 4 weeks (Q4W) maintenance dosing starting at Week 8.

Group III: risankizumab Active Control 1 Intervention

Subjects randomized to this arm will receive risankizumab SC

Group IV: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Subjects randomized to this arm will receive placebo SC

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics AG

Lead Sponsor

Trials

7

Recruited

2,800+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Secukinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-17A, has shown strong efficacy in treating moderate to severe psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, with a favorable safety profile based on data from 2800 patients in the SERENA study.

The SERENA study, which includes patients who have been on secukinumab for an average of one year, aims to provide insights into the long-term effectiveness and safety of the treatment in real-world settings, confirming that the baseline demographics align with existing literature.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Secukinumab Use in Patients with Moderate to Severe Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis in Real-World Setting in Europe: Baseline Data from SERENA Study. Kiltz, U., Sfikakis, PP., Gaffney, K., et al.[2021]

In a study involving 1414 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and 1164 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), secukinumab demonstrated a very low incidence of treatment-emergent antidrug antibodies (TE-ADA), with only 0.35% in PsA and 0.69% in AS patients, indicating good immunogenicity safety.

The presence of TE-ADA did not affect the pharmacokinetics or efficacy of secukinumab, suggesting that the treatment remains effective even in patients who develop these antibodies, and no adverse events were linked to TE-ADA.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Secukinumab Immunogenicity over 52 Weeks in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Deodhar, A., Gladman, DD., McInnes, IB., et al.[2022]

Brodalumab, an IL-17 antagonist approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, has a safety profile similar to other IL-17 treatments, based on data from phase II and III clinical trials.

While common adverse events include nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory infections, a significant concern arose from six reported suicides among patients, leading to a black box warning, although no direct causal link was established.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Brodalumab: A Review of Safety. Rusta-Sallehy, S., Gooderham, M., Papp, K.[2019]

In a phase III trial with 417 patients suffering from active psoriatic arthritis, ixekizumab significantly improved disease activity, with 62.1% of patients on the 80 mg every 2 weeks regimen achieving an ACR20 response compared to only 30.2% in the placebo group.

While ixekizumab showed efficacy in reducing disease symptoms and preventing structural damage, it also had a higher rate of treatment-emergent adverse events (65.7-66.4%) compared to placebo (47.2%), indicating a need for careful monitoring of side effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ixekizumab, an interleukin-17A specific monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of biologic-naive patients with active psoriatic arthritis: results from the 24-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active (adalimumab)-controlled period of the phase III trial SPIRIT-P1. Mease, PJ., van der Heijde, D., Ritchlin, CT., et al.[2022]

Bimekizumab, a dual inhibitor targeting both IL-17A and IL-17F, has shown efficacy and safety in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis across multiple phases of clinical trials (I, II, and III).

Sonelokimab, a trivalent nanobody also targeting IL-17A and IL-17F, has demonstrated promising results in early phase studies for psoriasis, indicating potential for effective treatment options in these chronic immune-mediated disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F in psoriatic disease. Iznardo, H., Puig, L.[2021]

Bimekizumab, a dual inhibitor antibody targeting both IL-17A and IL-17F, shows promising results in treating psoriatic arthritis, outperforming both placebo and treatments that inhibit IL-17A alone, based on a Phase 2b trial.

Early data from open-label extensions indicate that bimekizumab is safe and maintains its effectiveness, with Phase III trials currently underway to further evaluate its efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An Overview of Bimekizumab for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis: The Evidence so Far. Oliveira, DG., Faria, R., Torres, T.[2023]

In a phase 2b trial involving 313 participants with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis, sonelokimab demonstrated significant efficacy, with 48.1% of patients in the 30 mg group and up to 88.2% in the 120 mg augmented load group achieving clear or almost clear skin (IGA score of 0 or 1) at week 12, compared to 0% in the placebo group.

Sonelokimab exhibited a safety profile comparable to secukinumab, with mostly mild to moderate adverse events, and a notable incidence of manageable Candida infections in the sonelokimab group, indicating it is a safe treatment option for psoriasis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

IL17A/F nanobody sonelokimab in patients with plaque psoriasis: a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2b study. Papp, KA., Weinberg, MA., Morris, A., et al.[2022]

In a phase 2b study involving 206 patients with active psoriatic arthritis, bimekizumab significantly improved symptoms compared to placebo, with higher response rates observed in the 16 mg and 160 mg dosage groups.

The safety profile of bimekizumab was acceptable, with most adverse events being mild or moderate, and no serious complications like deaths or inflammatory bowel disease reported, supporting further investigation in phase 3 trials.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bimekizumab in patients with active psoriatic arthritis: results from a 48-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging phase 2b trial. Ritchlin, CT., Kavanaugh, A., Merola, JF., et al.[2020]

In a study of 42 patients with active psoriatic arthritis, secukinumab showed greater clinical responses and improvements in quality of life compared to placebo, particularly at weeks 12 and 24, despite not meeting the primary endpoint at week 6.

The safety profile of secukinumab was comparable to placebo, with a similar frequency of adverse events, indicating that it is a safe option for patients with psoriatic arthritis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of secukinumab, a fully human anti-interleukin-17A monoclonal antibody, in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriatic arthritis: a 24-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II proof-of-concept trial. McInnes, IB., Sieper, J., Braun, J., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. ir.moonlaketx.com ir.moonlaketx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moonlake-immunotherapeutics-announces-landmark-phase-2-results

Press Release MoonLake Immunotherapeutics announces landmark Phase 2 results for Nanobody® sonelokimab in active psoriatic arthritis.

2. the-rheumatologist.org the-rheumatologist.org/article/sonelokimab-promising-for-patients-with-psa/

Sonelokimab Promising for Patients with PsA Secondary end points included improvement in ACR20 response compared with placebo, complete skin clearance as measured by at least a PASI ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8366125/

Dual inhibition of IL-17A and IL-17F in psoriatic disease - PMC Sonelokimab is a trivalent nanobody targeting IL-17A and IL-17F; phase I and II studies with this molecule have yielded promising results in psoriasis. Keywords ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/396239583_Sonelokimab_an_IL-17AIL-17F-inhibiting_nanobody_for_active_psoriatic_arthritis_a_randomized_placebo-controlled_phase_2_trial

(PDF) Sonelokimab, an IL-17A/IL-17F-inhibiting nanobody ... Sonelokimab, an IL-17A/IL-17F-inhibiting nanobody for active psoriatic arthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial. October 2025 ...

5. trial.medpath.com trial.medpath.com/news/48d30c462ec9a9a8/moonlake-immunotherapeutics-advances-sonelokimab-through-phase-3-trials-for-multiple-inflammatory-conditions

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics Advances Sonelokimab ... MoonLake Immunotherapeutics is advancing Sonelokimab, a novel Nanobody® targeting IL-17A/A, A/F, and F/F dimers, through multiple Phase 3 trials for ...

6. medchemexpress.com medchemexpress.com/sonelokimab.html?srsltid=AfmBOoriFB9mWP3BLyFmXrEITAEaPpqkopXjuOtQ22HYQq0eq4hqsgKw

Sonelokimab (ALX 0761) | Anti-IL-17A/F Antibody Sonelokimab can prolong the plasma half-life by binding to human serum albumin. Sonelokimab can be used for research on rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. For ...

7. ir.moonlaketx.com ir.moonlaketx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moonlake-immunotherapeutics-announces-publication-lancet

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics announces publication in ... Sonelokimab showed significant clinical benefit with rapid onset and a good safety profile, with clear skin (PASI 100) achieved in up to 57% ...

8. go.drugbank.com go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB18843

Sonelokimab: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action Sonelokimab is under investigation in clinical trial NCT06411379 (Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Sonelokimab ...

9. jaad.org jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(19)30500-6/pdf

A randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled phase 1 ... Conclusion: Multiple subcutaneous doses of M1095 showed a favorable safety profile with dose- dependent improvements in psoriasis. ( J Am Acad ...