Johnson & Johnson reported two-year results on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the EADV Congress in Vienna from the Phase 3 ICONIC-TOTAL trial of Icotyde (icotrokinra), a once-daily oral peptide that blocks the IL-23 receptor, in 311 people aged 12 and older with psoriasis on the scalp, genitals, hands, or feet (208 on icotrokinra and 103 on placebo, who switched to the drug at week 16). Among icotrokinra-treated patients, the share with clear or almost clear skin rose from 57% at week 16 to 70% at week 112, and 60% of those with scalp psoriasis, 89% with genital psoriasis, and 63% with hand or foot psoriasis had complete clearance at those sites. Missing data after week 52 were handled with multiple imputation, and J&J reported no new safety signals.
Johnson & Johnson announced on Monday, September 21, 2026 that the European Commission granted marketing authorization for ICOTYDE (icotrokinra) for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older weighing at least 40 kg with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy. J&J calls icotrokinra the first targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the IL-23 receptor; it was jointly discovered and is being developed under J&J's license and collaboration agreement with Protagonist Therapeutics. The approval rests on the ICONIC program of four Phase 3 studies in about 2,500 patients (ICONIC-LEAD, ICONIC-TOTAL, ICONIC-ADVANCE 1 and 2). In the head-to-head studies, about 70% of patients on icotrokinra reached clear or almost clear skin (IGA 0/1) and 55% reached PASI 90 at week 16. Patients take one pill once daily with water on waking, at least 30 minutes before eating.
One-year Phase 3 data at AAD 2026 show ICOTYDE (icotrokinra) achieves 49% complete clearance at Week 52, with nearly 60% in adolescents. No new safety signals.
J&J's icotrokinra (Icotyde) approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis; in the two head-to-head trials against the pill deucravacitinib (Sotyktu), about 70% of patients achieved clear or almost clear skin by week 16.