First Patient Dosed in Phase 2 Trial of Topical Pan-JAK Inhibitor LNK01004 for Vitiligo

Lynk Pharmaceuticals announced that the first patient has been dosed in its phase 2 clinical trial evaluating investigational LNK01004 ointment for the treatment of vitiligo, marking the start of phase 2 evaluation of the company's skin-restricted topical pan-Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.¹

The randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topically administered LNK01004 ointment in adults with vitiligo. The multicenter trial is being conducted across China under the leadership of Jianzhong Zhang, MD, and Cheng Zhou, MD, of Peking University People's Hospital.¹

Skin-Restricted Pan-JAK Approach

LNK01004 is an investigational topical pan-JAK inhibitor designed to modulate multiple inflammatory cytokine signaling pathways while limiting systemic drug exposure. According to the company, the molecule was engineered to remain largely confined to the skin, with the goal of maintaining efficacy while reducing the potential safety concerns associated with systemic JAK inhibition.¹

The company noted that both preclinical and early clinical studies have demonstrated promising efficacy, favorable safety, and skin-restricted pharmacokinetic characteristics. In addition to vitiligo, LNK01004 is also being investigated for chronic hand eczema as part of Lynk's expanding dermatology pipeline.¹

Building on Earlier Clinical Data

The phase 2 vitiligo study follows encouraging findings from a separate phase 2 trial in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis presented in 2025. As previously reported by Dermatology Times, patients receiving LNK01004 achieved significantly greater improvements in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores compared with vehicle, with no serious treatment-related adverse events reported.²

Earlier this year, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved phase 2 development of LNK01004 for both vitiligo and chronic hand eczema.³ The initiation of patient dosing marks the next stage of clinical evaluation of LNK01004 as a potential topical treatment for vitiligo.

"LNK01004 features an innovative skin-restricted molecular design that maintains potent pan-JAK inhibitory activity while minimizing systemic drug exposure," said Henry Wu, MD, head of clinical research at Lynk Pharmaceuticals, in a company statement. "Through this Phase II clinical study, we look forward to further evaluating the efficacy and safety of LNK01004 in patients with vitiligo and generating robust clinical evidence to support subsequent pivotal clinical trials."¹

Positive results from the phase 2 study could support advancement into pivotal clinical development for LNK01004 in vitiligo.

References

1. Lynk Pharmaceuticals announces first patient dosed in phase II clinical trial of LNK01004 ointment for vitiligo. News release. Lynk Pharmaceuticals. July 8, 2026. Accessed July 9, 2026. PR Newswire.
2. Topical pan-JAK inhibitor LNK01004 shows promising efficacy and safety in phase 2 AD trial. Dermatology Times. November 28, 2025. Accessed July 9, 2026. Dermatology Times.
3. Lynk Pharmaceuticals announces NMPA approval of LNK01004 ointment's phase II clinical trial for the treatment of vitiligo and chronic hand eczema. News release. Lynk Pharmaceuticals. June 1, 2026. Accessed July 9, 2026. PR Newswire.