J&J's once-daily pill eases psoriatic arthritis symptoms in late-stage trial

By Padmanabhan Ananthan

Nov 7 (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N said on Saturday its once-daily pill eased symptoms in more patients with psoriatic arthritis than a placebo in a late-stage trial, potentially supporting expanded use of the drug.

The company said 58% of patients who took icotrokinra, branded as Icotyde, saw a 20% improvement in tender and swollen joint counts, as well as improvements in other measures of disease activity after 16 weeks. That compared with 41% who received a placebo in the 552-patient trial.

Psoriatic arthritis is a long-term inflammatory condition that affects the joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness.

Icotyde is already FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, a skin condition causing red, scaly, often itchy patches.

The positive results mark another advance for Icotyde, an oral peptide that Wall Street analysts have tipped as J&J's next blockbuster, with potential to take share from established rivals. The company expects peak sales to top $5 billion across multiple indications.

"Patients don't want to be overtreated, they want a treatment that fits them where they're at," David Lee, Johnson & Johnson's global immunology head, told Reuters.

Unlike injectable biologics such as AbbVie's Skyrizi and UCB's Bimzelx, Icotyde is an oral treatment, offering a more convenient option if approved.

Lee added that about 30% of patients with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis, highlighting a significant unmet need.

The psoriatic arthritis space is highly competitive, with injectable biologics as well as oral treatments, including BMY.N Sotyktu and AMGN.O Otezla, already on the market.

The trial enrolled adults with active psoriatic arthritis who had not previously been treated with biologic medicines. The company said no new safety concerns were identified.

Patients taking Icotyde also showed improvements in psoriasis skin symptoms. Among those with sufficient skin involvement, 57% had clear or nearly clear skin after 16 weeks, compared with 14% in placebo, the company said.