Core Insights - The investigational drug icotrokinra has shown promising results in treating moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with nearly half of patients achieving complete skin clearance at Week 24 in the Phase 3 ICONIC-LEAD study [1][2][4] - Johnson & Johnson is initiating the first head-to-head study comparing icotrokinra, an oral medication, to the injectable biologic ustekinumab, marking a significant step in psoriasis treatment research [1][3][4] Study Results - In the ICONIC-LEAD study, 65% of patients treated with icotrokinra achieved an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0/1 (clear or almost clear skin) at Week 16, with 50% achieving a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90 response, compared to only 8% and 4% in the placebo group respectively [2][5] - By Week 24, 74% of patients on icotrokinra reached IGA 0/1, and 65% achieved PASI 90, with 46% achieving complete skin clearance (IGA 0) and 40% reaching PASI 100 [2][5] Safety Profile - The safety profile of icotrokinra appears favorable, with similar rates of adverse events (AEs) reported between the icotrokinra (49%) and placebo groups (49%), and no new safety signals identified [2][3] Future Studies - The positive outcomes from the ICONIC-ADVANCE studies, which also met their co-primary endpoints, have led to the initiation of the ICONIC-ASCEND study, further exploring the efficacy of icotrokinra against ustekinumab [3][4] Drug Mechanism - Icotrokinra is a first-in-class investigational targeted oral peptide that selectively blocks the IL-23 receptor, which is crucial in the inflammatory response associated with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis [1][10]