# Johnson & Johnson: oral icotrokinra reaches 58% ACR20 in Phase 3 psoriatic arthritis trial

- Published: 2026-11-07 18:32 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Medicine
- Tags: icotrokinra, Icotyde, psoriatic arthritis, ICONIC-PsA 1, ACR20 response, oral peptide, IL-23 receptor, Phase 3 trial, Protagonist Therapeutics, ACR Convergence 2026
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-a6a2ea822e1cec8343a659b5_johnson_johnson_oral/

**In the Phase 3 ICONIC-PsA 1 trial of 552 adults, the oral peptide icotrokinra (Icotyde) 200 mg beat placebo at week 16: ACR20 in 58% versus 41%.**

![Johnson & Johnson: oral icotrokinra reaches 58% ACR20 in Phase 3 psoriatic arthritis trial](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/276c629ad13204d4.webp)
*ad-hoc-news.de*

Johnson & Johnson has presented positive Phase 3 results for the oral peptide icotrokinra (developed as Icotyde) in psoriatic arthritis, according to ad-hoc-news.de. The data from the ICONIC-PsA 1 trial were shown in a late-breaking presentation at ACR Convergence 2026. [1] The study enrolled 552 adults with active psoriatic arthritis who had not previously received biologic therapy. [1]

At a dose of 200 mg, Icotyde met the primary endpoint: at week 16, 58% of patients achieved an ACR20 response, versus 41% in the placebo group. [1]

## Joint response: ACR20, ACR50, ACR70

Higher response rates than in the control arm were also seen on stricter criteria at week 16. ACR50 was reached by 29% on Icotyde versus 16% on placebo, and ACR70 by 13% versus 5%. [1]

Response rates continued to rise through week 24, when ACR20 stood at 69%, ACR50 at 40% and ACR70 at 18%. No new safety signals were reported up to week 24. [1]

## Skin symptoms and regulatory status

In patients with evaluable skin involvement, an IGA score of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear skin) was recorded in 57% of participants versus 14% on placebo (nominal p<0.001). PASI 90 was reached by 37% versus 6% (nominal p<0.001). [1] By week 24, the share with IGA 0 or 1 rose to 64%, and PASI 90 was documented in 56%. [1]

Icotyde is described as the first orally administered peptide that selectively blocks the interleukin-23 (IL-23) receptor. It is being developed by Johnson & Johnson together with Protagonist Therapeutics. [1]

The product is not yet approved for psoriatic arthritis. In the US it is already approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and in children aged 12 and older weighing at least 40 kg. [1]

David Lee of Johnson & Johnson noted that psoriasis and joint inflammation are closely linked, as about 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis over time. [1]

## Sources

1. [ad-hoc-news.de](https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/wissenschaft/psoriasis-arthritis-orales-icotyde-erreicht-58-prozent-acr20-ansprechen/70475272)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-a6a2ea822e1cec8343a659b5_johnson_johnson_oral/