China's drug regulator approved Johnson & Johnson's oral medication, Icotyde (icotrokinra), for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The approval offers a new treatment option for over 8.4 million psoriasis patients in China. China represents the world's second-largest pharmaceutical market. J&J will now compete with Bristol Myers Squibb and AbbVie in the region's psoriasis treatment market.
Icotyde is a once-daily oral pill. It offers a convenient alternative to dominant injectable treatments. The drug is the first approved oral peptide. It targets the IL-23 receptor, a key protein in the inflammatory response linked to psoriasis. Analysts note the drug's blockbuster potential. They suggest it could capture significant market share due to its efficacy and oral administration.