J&J launches Icotyde, first oral IL‑23 psoriasis drug
SkimNews Take
J&J's Icotyde launch capitalizes on the market's shift towards convenient oral medications, potentially reshaping treatment preferences even for conditions well-managed by existing injectables.
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- Johnson & Johnson launched Icotyde, an oral IL‑23 receptor inhibitor for moderate‑to‑severe plaque psoriasis, after FDA approval in mid‑March.
- Icotyde is the first oral treatment targeting the same IL‑23 receptor as injectable biologics like J&J’s Tremfya.
- Joaquin Duato told investors on the April earnings call that Icotyde could become one of the company’s largest products ever.
- J&J reported roughly 1,500 prescriptions for Icotyde written within the first 30 days of launch.
- Jason Gerberry of Bank of America questioned whether a daily pill can compete with quarterly injections, comparing Icotyde to Bristol Myers Squibb’s oral TYK2 inhibitor Sotyktu.
Why it matters: Patients gain a convenient oral option for severe psoriasis, while J&J aims to offset $2.36 billion in declining Stelara sales and add billions to its immunology revenue, reshaping prescribing patterns.
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