Positive Results Identified for Risankizumab and Other Psoriasis Drugs, With David Cotter, MD, PhD

In a new interview with HCPLive, David Cotter, MD, PhD, assistant clinical professor at the University of Nevada, shared his perspective on new data and recent developments in psoriasis management highlighted during the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Denver.1,2

In his discussion with HCPLive on the floor of the 2026 AAD meeting, Cotter offered an enthusiastic and candid tour of what he sees as the most clinically meaningful developments in psoriasis currently, from new site-specific data on established biologics to a landmark oral treatment approval he anticipates could change prescribing habits significantly.

“We have a number of new molecules that are going to be entering soon, and we have some updated data from some of our old favorite molecules, some things that are particularly exciting and have dedicated studies looking at high impact sites,” Cotter expressed.

Among the findings that stood out most to Cotter, new data on risankizumab (Skyrizi) aimed specifically at high-impact sites, including scalp and genital psoriasis, were spotlighted. The availability of dedicated endpoints for these notoriously difficult areas has already shifted his practice, Cotter noted, pointing out that his own initiation of risankizumab more frequently for patients with genital involvement as the new results emerged.

Additionally, Cotter highlighted a recent label update for guselkumab (Tremfya) supporting its ability to inhibit radiographic progression in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a development he believes shifts the calculation when selecting a first-line agent for patients managing both skin and joint disease.

On the question of head-to-head comparative data, Cotter pointed to 5 head-to-head trials on risankizumab against different mechanisms of action, including such drugs as apremilast and deucravacitinib. These data have resulted in risankizumab being his default biologic for plaque psoriasis.

In the PsA space, Cotter flagged bimekizumab as potentially the strongest option overall, citing topline data from the BE BOLD trial demonstrating superiority over risankizumab in attainment of rapid joint disease control. Turning to oral therapies, Cotter also noted the approval of icotrokinra (Icotyde) for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis down to age 12 as signifianct. He called it a game changer both therapeutically and regulatorily, noting its launch-day pediatric approval signals a great deal about the drug's safety profile and the rigor with which it was studied.

Disclosures: Cotter has previously reported serving as a consultant, speaker, and/or investigator for AbbVie, Alumis, Arcutis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Castle, Dermavant/Organon, DermTech, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Johnson and Johnson, Journey, KOWA, Pfizer, Regeneron, and Sanofi, UCB.

References

1. Magnolo N, Soung J, Sivamani RK, et al. Risankizumab vs deucravacitinib in adults with moderate plaque psoriasis: week 16 subgroup results from the IMMpactful study. Poster presented at: 2026 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting; March 27–31, 2026; Denver, CO. Poster DV-017716.

2. Johnson and Johnson. FDA approves ICOTYDE (icotrokinra), the first and only targeted oral peptide IL-23 receptor antagonist, for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Press release. Published March 18, 2026. Accessed March 18, 2026. https://www.jnj.com/media-center/press-releases.