Johnson & Johnson, Protagonist Study Shows Superior Skin Clearance In Psoriasis Trials

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Protagonist Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PTGX) on Wednesday released new data from the Phase 3 ICONIC-ADVANCE 1 and 2 studies of icotrokinra compared to deucravacitinib in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Icotrokinra met both co-primary endpoints compared to placebo at Week 16 with similar adverse event rates and showed superiority to Bristol-Myers Squibb & Co.’s (NYSE:BMY) Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) at multiple timepoints in adult patients.

Icotrokinra showed superior skin clearance vs placebo (Week 16) and deucravacitinib (Weeks 16 and 24).

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Icotrokinra demonstrated similar adverse event rates (AEs) to placebo, with no new safety signals identified. Icotrokinra AE rates were numerically lower vs deucravacitinib through Week 24.

Johnson & Johnson has also initiated the Phase 3 ICONIC-ASCEND study, the first-ever head-to-head study seeking to demonstrate the superiority of an oral pill, icotrokinra, compared to an injectable biologic, Stelara (ustekinumab), in psoriasis.

Icotrokinra demonstrated sustained skin clearance and a favorable safety profile through Week 52, with no new safety signals identified in the ICONIC-LEAD drug withdrawal/re-retreatment study.

At Week 52, adult icotrokinra PASI 90 responders re-randomized to icotrokinra at Week 24 had superior maintenance of PASI 90 response versus those re-randomized to placebo (84% vs 21%).

At Week 52, 86% of adolescents who received icotrokinra for the full 52 weeks and 77% of those switched from placebo to icotrokinra at Week 16 achieved a PASI 90 response.

Price Action: JNJ stock is up 0.22% at $176.85 at the last check on Wednesday.

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