Johnson & Johnson announced that icotrokinra (JNJ-2113), an investigational oral peptide that blocks the IL-23 receptor, showed promising results in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. In the Phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD trial, nearly half (46%) of patients achieved completely clear skin (IGA 0) at 24 weeks, while 65% reached PASI 90. The treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with adverse event rates comparable to placebo.

Additionally, Phase 3 ICONIC-ADVANCE 1&2 trials showed icotrokinra’s superiority over deucravacitinib. Encouraged by these results, Johnson & Johnson is launching ICONIC-ASCEND, the first-ever head-to-head trial comparing an oral pill (icotrokinra) against an injectable biologic (ustekinumab) in psoriasis.

Icotrokinra is being positioned as a potential first-line systemic therapy for psoriasis, offering an effective, convenient alternative to injectables.