On February 3, 2026 Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated (Nasdaq: PRLD), a precision oncology company, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Company to proceed with a Phase 1 study under its Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for PRT12396, a mutant-selective JAK2V617F inhibitor being developed for the treatment of patients with certain myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The Company anticipates dosing the first patient by Q2 of 2026.
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"The FDA’s clearance of our IND for PRT12396 marks a pivotal first milestone in the strategic transformation and development focus on our JAK2 and KAT6 programs that we outlined last quarter," stated Kris Vaddi, Chief Executive Officer of Prelude. "This achievement demonstrates our ability to translate high-quality science rapidly into clinical progress and our clear focus on executing these programs that represent the potential to reshape the treatment landscape for the target patient populations. We look forward to advancing PRT12396 into the phase 1 study in patients with polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis in parallel."
The Phase 1 study of PRT12396 is an open-label, multi-center, safety and efficacy study in patients with high-risk polycythemia vera (PV) and intermediate and high-risk myelofibrosis (MF). The primary endpoints of the study include safety, efficacy and PK profile.
The JAK2V617F inhibitor program is subject to an exclusive option agreement with Incyte announced in November 2025.
Mutant selective JAK2V617F JH2 inhibitor program
JAK2V617F is the primary driver mutation responsible for disease progression in the majority of patients living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The mutation impacts approximately 95% of patients with polycythemia vera (PV), 60% of patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 55% of patients with myelofibrosis (MF). Identifying JAK2 JH2 inhibitors that selectively target V617F+ cells has long been the goal for advancing the treatment of MPNs. Prelude has designed and identified novel allosteric inhibitors that bind into the JAK2 JH2 "deep pocket" where the V617F mutation resides. These candidates demonstrate mutant specific inhibition in multiple preclinical models of MPNs. Prelude believes this approach may have the potential to reduce mutant allele burden, slow or even reverse disease progression, and transform treatment outcomes for MPN patients.
(Press release, Prelude Therapeutics, FEB 3, 2026, View Source [SID1234662430])