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NEW YORK - Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) reported Wednesday that its experimental oral psoriasis drug icotrokinra demonstrated superior skin clearance compared to deucravacitinib in two Phase 3 clinical trials, while maintaining adverse event rates similar to placebo.
The data from the ICONIC-ADVANCE 1 and 2 studies showed icotrokinra, a first-in-class targeted oral peptide that selectively blocks the IL-23 receptor, achieved superior skin clearance versus both placebo at Week 16 and deucravacitinib at Weeks 16 and 24. With an impressive gross profit margin of 68.4%, J&J demonstrates strong operational efficiency in developing innovative treatments.
Additionally, 52-week data from the separate ICONIC-LEAD study revealed sustained skin clearance with icotrokinra in both adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Among adult patients who achieved PASI 90 (90% reduction in psoriasis severity) and continued on icotrokinra, 84% maintained this response at Week 52, compared to 21% of those switched to placebo.
For adolescents, 86% of patients who received icotrokinra for the full 52 weeks achieved PASI 90 response.
"With significantly higher response rates seen as early as Week 16 and increasing at Week 24, this novel targeted oral peptide treatment has the potential to be an appealing new option for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis," said Linda Stein Gold, Director of Dermatology Clinical Research at Henry Ford Health and study investigator, according to the company’s press release.
Johnson & Johnson has also initiated the ICONIC-ASCEND study, which will compare icotrokinra to ustekinumab, an injectable biologic, in what the company describes as the first head-to-head study of an oral pill versus an injectable biologic in psoriasis.
The findings were presented at the 2025 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress. With 16 analysts recently revising earnings estimates upward and the stock trading near its 52-week high, investors seeking detailed analysis can access comprehensive research through InvestingPro, which offers exclusive insights and Fair Value assessments for over 1,400 stocks.
In other recent news, Johnson & Johnson received FDA approval for Inlexzo, a treatment for BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer with carcinoma in situ. This approval marks the introduction of the first intravesical drug-releasing system designed for extended local delivery into the bladder. Guggenheim maintained its Neutral rating on Johnson & Johnson, setting a price target of $167.00, while Wolfe Research raised its price target from $175.00 to $195.00, citing increased confidence in the company’s talc litigation outcome. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson announced a $2 billion investment to expand its manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, which is expected to create approximately 120 new jobs. This move aligns with the company’s strategy to produce the majority of its advanced medicines domestically. Furthermore, Johnson & Johnson appointed John Morikis, former CEO of Sherwin-Williams, to its Board of Directors. Morikis brings extensive experience from his leadership at Sherwin-Williams, where he guided the company’s global expansion. These developments reflect Johnson & Johnson’s ongoing efforts to innovate and expand its operations.
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