Core Insights - AbbVie's RINVOQ (upadacitinib) has received FDA approval for the treatment of giant cell arteritis, marking it as the first oral JAK inhibitor approved for this condition in Western countries, and the ninth indication for the drug [1][6] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The approval of RINVOQ has intensified competition among pharmaceutical companies in the giant cell arteritis market [1] - DelveInsight estimates the giant cell arteritis market size to grow from USD 960 million in 2023 at a significant CAGR by 2034, driven by factors such as an increasing geriatric population and rising prevalence of cardiovascular disorders [14] Group 2: Treatment Landscape - The primary treatment for giant cell arteritis has traditionally involved high doses of corticosteroids like prednisone, with the aim of preventing serious complications such as blindness [3] - ACTEMRA/ROACTEMRA (tocilizumab) was the first approved treatment for giant cell arteritis in Europe, with its approval supported by the Phase III GiACTA study demonstrating improved remission rates [4][7] - RINVOQ's pivotal Phase 3 SELECT-GCA trial showed that 46.4% of patients achieved sustained remission with RINVOQ compared to 29.0% on placebo [7] Group 3: Emerging Therapies - Companies like Novartis and CSL/Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals are conducting clinical trials for new treatment options, indicating a need for more effective therapies in the giant cell arteritis space [10][12] - The anticipated launch of emerging therapies is expected to transform the market landscape, offering new standards of care and opportunities for innovation [13]

Core Insights - Oruka Therapeutics is developing ORKA-002, a novel monoclonal antibody with an extended half-life targeting IL-17A/F, which shows potential for less frequent dosing compared to existing therapies [1][3][6] - The half-life of ORKA-002 in non-human primates (NHP) exceeds 30 days, which is over three times longer than bimekizumab, suggesting a dosing interval of two to three times per year [1][6] - ORKA-002 demonstrates equivalent potency to bimekizumab with similar binding affinity, indicating a promising profile for treating chronic skin diseases like plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis [2][3][6] Company Overview - Oruka Therapeutics aims to set a new standard for treating chronic skin diseases, focusing on achieving high rates of complete disease clearance with infrequent dosing [4] - The company is advancing a proprietary portfolio of antibodies engineered to target the core mechanisms of plaque psoriasis and other dermatologic conditions [4] Product Details - ORKA-002 is administered subcutaneously and has shown superior efficacy in preclinical studies compared to existing therapies that require monthly maintenance dosing [3][6] - Projections indicate that ORKA-002 could have a human half-life of approximately 50 to 75 days, allowing for dosing intervals of once every four months or twice a year [6]