Icotrokinra Data at Maui Derm 2026 Reaffirm Efficacy in Psoriasis

In a recent comparative network meta-analysis, icotrokinra (ICO) demonstrated efficacy for attaining completely clear skin, matching injectable interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors and outperforming approved advanced oral medications in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.1

This poster, presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii conference, was titled ‘Comparative analysis of icotrokinra and approved advanced treatments for achievement of completely clear skin in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis.’ The data add to the growing number of studies pointing to the efficacy and safety of icotrokinra as a possible psoriasis therapy option.2,3,4

This data was authored by such investigators as April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH, professor and chief of dermatology at UCLA. Armstrong and colleagues noted completely clear skin had recently become considered an attainable objective of psoriasis treatment rather than an aspirational objective. They also pointed to recent web-based survey findings from around 400 patients with psoriasis and 200 healthcare professionals, all of which suggested the dominant driver of disease burden was visible symptoms.

Both patients and clinician respondents also suggested a strong preference for oral systemic medications, as opposed to topicals or injectables. Armstrong and coauthors suggested these data underscore the need for efficacy combined with convenient administration.

ICO, an investigational oral peptide, was developed to selectively bind the IL-23 receptor and inhibit IL-23–mediated signaling. Investigation of the drug’s use in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has been done in several phase 3 clinical trials: LEAD, ADVANCE 1, and ADVANCE 2. Robust efficacy, as evidenced by significantly higher rates of completely clear skin compared with placebo and ICO’s performance versus deucravacitinib, was suggested at the time these data were released.

A limited level of availability of head-to-head randomized trials (RCTs) in psoriasis led to Armstrong and colleagues’ systematic literature review and network meta-analysis (NMA), with the investigators seeking to contextualize ICO’s efficacy relative to approved advanced treatments. It was performed in March 2025, with the team including RCTs in adults assessing biologics and advanced oral agents at approved doses. For consistency with prior analyses, they treated Static Physician's Global Assessment (sPGA) 0 and PGA 0 outcomes as equivalent to Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0.

A week 16 timepoint was used in this NMA with the aim of maximizing comparability across research. Random-effects Bayesian models were utilized as well, to account for between-trial heterogeneity. Baseline adjustment of risk was not applied by Armstrong et al due to minimal placebo response rates. The findings were interpreted via a predefined probabilistic framework, as the investigators sought to classify whether ICO was superior, favored, or comparable to other drugs.

Overall, the study suggested ICO therapy led to rates of completely clear skin comparable to injectable IL-23 inhibitors. It was also shown to be superior to other advanced oral treatments in this study, with results being consistent across both Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 100 and IGA 0 endpoints. Armstrong and coauthors’ data indicate ICO may provide those on the drug with a highly effective, once-daily oral option. In future research, further exploration may be needed to assess long-term comparative outcomes.

These data, coupled with findings on icotrokinra previously reported by HCPLive, add to the growing body of evidence supporting icotrokinra’s potential approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for psoriasis.2,3,4

References

1. Armstrong A, et al. Comparative analysis of icotrokinra and approved advanced treatments for achievement of completely clear skin in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: A systematic literature review and network meta-analysis. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.

2. Soung, J, et al. Maintenance of Response with Icotrokinra, a Targeted Oral Peptide, for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis : Randomized Treatment Withdrawal in Adults (weeks 24-52) and Continuous Treatment in Adolescents (Through Week 52) From the Phase 3, ICONIC-LEAD Trial. Late-breaking research oral presentation (Presentation #D1T01.2B) at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV). September 2025. Accessed January 27, 2026.

3. Stein Gold L, et al. Icotrokinra Demonstrated Superior Responses Compared with Placebo and Deucravacitinib in the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis : Results Through Week 24 of the Phase 3 ICONIC-ADVANCE 1&2 Studies. Oral presentation (Presentation FC01.1G) at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress (EADV). September 2025. Accessed January 27, 2026.

4. Bissonnette R, et al. Icotrokinra, a Targeted Oral Peptide That Selectively Blocks the Interleukin-23–Receptor, for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis: Results Through Week 24 of the Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled ICONIC-LEAD Trial. Late-breaking research presentation (Abstract #66708) at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 2024 Annual Meeting. March 2025. Accessed January 27, 2026.