Johnson & Johnson Launches Phase 3 Trial of Oral IL-23R Inhibitor Icotrokinra for Psoriatic Arthritis

▎Armstrong

On March 17, 2025, Johnson & Johnson registered a Phase III clinical trial, ICONIC-PsA 1, on Clinicaltrials.gov for JNJ-2113 (Icotrokinra), an oral cyclic peptide inhibitor of IL-23R, to treat psoriatic arthritis.

This Phase III clinical trial plans to enroll 540 patients with psoriatic arthritis and is expected to be preliminarily completed by 2026.

JNJ-2113 has conducted several Phase III clinical trials for psoriasis, and the Phase 2b clinical trial for treating ulcerative colitis recently announced positive data. This time, it is expanding to psoriatic arthritis.

Protagonist Therapeutics' current market value has reached $3.25 billion.

Summary

IL-23 antibodies have been successful in multiple indications such as psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. JNJ-2113 is expected to achieve oral administration through a cyclopeptide drug form, with the potential to surpass the efficacy of IL-23 antibodies.