ICOTYDE maintains skin clearance through two years in difficult to treat plaque psoriasis

Johnson & Johnson has reported new two year results from the Phase III ICONIC TOTAL study showing sustained skin clearance with ICOTYDE, also known as icotrokinra, in adults and adolescents with plaque psoriasis affecting high impact areas of the body.

The late breaking findings were presented at the 2026 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress.

ICOTYDE is an oral peptide designed to selectively block the interleukin 23 receptor. Johnson & Johnson said it is the first and only targeted oral peptide with this mechanism available for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and older.

The analysis focused on patients with at least moderate involvement of areas considered particularly difficult to treat, including the scalp, genitals, hands, feet and nails.

Among patients receiving ICOTYDE, the proportion achieving clear or almost clear skin according to the Investigator’s Global Assessment increased over time.

The rate rose from 57% at week 16 to 67% at week 24 and reached 70% at week 112.

High levels of complete skin clearance were also observed at specific disease sites after two years of treatment.

At week 112, 60% of patients with scalp psoriasis achieved complete scalp clearance.

Among patients with genital psoriasis, 89% achieved complete clearance in the affected area.

For patients with psoriasis involving the hands or feet, 63% achieved complete clearance at week 112.

Nail psoriasis also continued to improve over time.

Mean improvement in the modified Nail Psoriasis Severity Index increased from 33% at week 16 to 62% at week 52 and 71% at week 112.

Richard B. Warren, MD, PhD, Professor of Dermatology at the University of Manchester, said psoriasis affecting high impact sites can cause substantial pain, functional impairment and psychological burden even when only a small proportion of the body is affected.

He said the two year findings demonstrate that ICOTYDE can deliver durable skin clearance in these challenging areas while maintaining a favourable safety profile.

Safety results through week 112 remained consistent with the established profile of ICOTYDE.

No new safety signals were identified during the extended follow up period.

David M. Lee, MD, PhD, Global Immunology Therapeutic Area Head at Johnson & Johnson, said long term evidence is important when making treatment decisions for patients with plaque psoriasis involving difficult areas of the body.

He said the ICONIC TOTAL results provide additional evidence that ICOTYDE can maintain clinical benefits over two years in patients with high impact disease.

Johnson & Johnson said the results further support the potential role of ICOTYDE as a first line systemic treatment option for plaque psoriasis.

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Related Topics and Keywords

Biopharma, clinical trials, dermatology, EADV 2026, ICONIC TOTAL, Icotrokinra, ICOTYDE, IL 23, Immunology, Johnson and Johnson, pharma news, phase III, Plaque Psoriasis, psoriasis