Industry Updates | 2026 Quarter 1

Listed in chronological order—most recent first

From JOHNSON & JOHNSON

March 18, 2026—FDA approval of ICOTYDE™ (icotrokinra) ushers in new era for first-line systemic treatment of plaque psoriasis with a targeted oral peptide

  • Johnson & Johnson introduces the first and only IL-23R targeted oral peptide that delivers complete skin clearance and favorable safety profile in a once-daily pill
  • ICOTYDE offers an innovative new option for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis to address patients cycling on topical therapies in need of systemic treatment

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ICOTYDE™ (icotrokinra), an interleukin-23 (IL-23) receptor antagonist for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40 kg who are candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy.1 ICOTYDE is the first and only targeted oral peptide that precisely blocks the IL-23 receptor.2

From NOVARTIS

March 13, 2026—Novartis Cosentyx® receives FDA approval for pediatric patients aged 12+ with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa

  • Cosentyx is the only IL-17A inhibitor approved for this population, and the first differentiated mechanism in nearly a decade1-3
  • HS often emerges around puberty, underscoring importance of early diagnosis and intervention with biologics to help reduce long-term disease burden4-6
  • Approval marks fourth pediatric indication for Cosentyx, reinforcing its robust safety and efficacy profile1 

Novartis announced that Cosentyx® (secukinumab) received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating pediatric patients 12 years and older with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), making it the only IL-17A inhibitor for this population.1 The approval of a distinct biologic option for pediatric patients living with HS allows treatment to be tailored to the individual and establishes Cosentyx as a meaningful addition to the treatment landscape.1-13

FROM UCB

March 11, 2026— BIMZELX®▼(bimekizumab) superior to SKYRIZI® (risankizumab) in BE BOLD: first head-to-head study in active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) to demonstrate superiority in ACR50

  • Primary endpoint showing superiority met: Bimekizumab achieved statistically significant superiority over risankizumab in reducing disease activity, as measured by the stringent ACR50 endpoint, at Week 16 in adults living with active psoriatic arthritis
  • Landmark psoriatic arthritis (PsA) study: Bimekizumab is the first licensed biologic therapy to demonstrate superiority in psoriatic arthritis over an IL-23 inhibitor
  • Fourth bimekizumab study showing superiority: BE BOLD is the fourth head-to-head study demonstrating superiority in the bimekizumab clinical trial program across psoriatic disease, and the first conducted in PsA

FROM ARCUTIS

March 10, 2026—Arcutis Announces Publication of Positive Long-Term Safety and Efficacy Data with ZORYVE® (roflumilast) Cream 0.05% for Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Atopic Dermatitis in Children Ages 2–5 in Pediatric Dermatology

  • ZORYVE cream 0.05% was safe and well-tolerated, with efficacy that was maintained and improved over time up to 56 weeks of treatment
  • Children ages 2-5 who achieved disease clearance and who switched to proactive twice-weekly application sustained disease control for a median duration of ~8 months
  • These results further support the Company’s focus on expanding options for pediatric populations

FROM PFIZER

March 9, 2026— Pfizer’s Phase 2 Study of Trispecific Antibody Positive in Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis

  • announced positive topline results from a Phase 2 study investigating tilrekimig (PF-07275315) in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
  • Tilrekimig has the potential to be a first-in-class, once-monthly trispecific antibody targeting interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-13 (IL-13), and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) for multiple chronic Type 2 (Th2) inflammatory conditions including atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Based on encouraging results, Pfizer plans to accelerate tilrekimig to Phase 3 development, with a pivotal study in atopic dermatitis on track to start this year

FROM INCYTE

March 6, 2026— Incyte Announces the European Commission Approval of Zynyz® (retifanlimab) for the First-Line Treatment of Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal (SCAC)

  • Zynyz® (retifanlimab) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (platinum-based chemotherapy) is the first systemic treatment for adult patients with advanced SCAC in Europe
  • The EC approval is based on results of the POD1UM-303 study which showed that adult patients with advanced SCAC achieved significantly improved progression-free survival with Zynyz in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as a first-line treatment compared to chemotherapy alone.1

FROM LOREAL

March 6, 2026— This International Women's Day, Gillian Anderson Reclaims Self-Worth at Every Age in L'Oréal Paris' Lessons of Worth

  • In celebration of International Women's Day, L'Oréal Paris global ambassador Gillian Anderson lends her voice in the latest installment of Lessons of Worth, the brand's ongoing series of personal testimonies inspired by the brand's iconic tagline "I'm Worth It."

FROM LEO PHARMA

March 5, 2026— “It’s GO time”: LEO Pharma launches Direct-to-Consumer campaign to raise awareness of Chronic Hand Eczema

  • Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE) is a highly debilitating inflammatory skin disease that affects approximately one in ten adults in the U.S.1
  • ANZUPGO® (delgocitinib) cream is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for adults living with moderate to severe CHE.2
  • LEO Pharma Inc., a global leader in medical dermatology, today announced the launch of “It’s GO time”, the company’s new Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) multichannel campaign for ANZUPGO® (delgocitinib) cream – the first and only FDA-approved treatment for moderate to severe chronic hand eczema (CHE).
  • The campaign aims to educate patients about CHE, drive brand awareness, and motivate appropriate patients to discuss ANZUPGO with their doctors.

FROM LILLY

February 27, 2026— Lilly's Olumiant (baricitinib) recommended by CHMP for approval of expanded use in the European Union for adolescents with severe alopecia areata

  • The positive opinion is based on data from the Phase 3 BRAVE-AA-PEDS study, in which 42% of patients with severe alopecia areata (AA) reached 80% or more scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks
  • The study is the first and largest of its kind specifically designed to evaluate children and adolescents with severe AA, a disease that has devastating social and emotional impact
  • Lilly has also submitted Olumiant in the U.S. for approval to treat severe AA in adolescents, with a decision expected in the second half of 2026

FROM SANOFI AND REGENERON

February 27, 2026— Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent recommended for EU approval to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria in young children with ongoing symptoms despite treatment

  • Sanofi and Regeneron’s Dupixent recommended for EU approval to treat chronic spontaneous urticaria in young children with ongoing symptoms despite treatment
  • If approved, Dupixent would be the first targeted medicine in the EU indicated for children aged two to 11 years with CSU inadequately controlled by standard-of-care antihistamine treatment
  • CSU is a chronic skin disease with underlying type 2 inflammation that can cause debilitating hives and recurring itch in young children

FROM ORGANON

February 26, 2026— New Analysis of Organon’s VTAMA® (tapinarof) cream, 1%, Phase 3 Data Showed Early and Consistent Improvement in Patient-Reported Sleep Subdomains in Pediatric Patients Down to 2 Years of Age with Atopic Dermatitis

  • Clinically meaningful improvements in sleep scores, as measured by subdomains of the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) assessments, were observed as early as week 1 and continued through week 8

FROM SUN PHARMA

February 5, 2026— Sun Pharma Introduces SUNday, Highlighting the Everyday Realities of Skin Cancer Care

  • Debuting in the official Big Game program, SUNday reflects Sun Pharma’s commitment to listening to the skin cancer community and advancing care through partnership
  • “SUNday,” a skin cancer awareness campaign rooted in the idea that “Every Day is SUNday.” The phrase reflects the belief that support, education, and connection should be available whenever they’re needed—not just at certain moments in time—and underscores Sun Pharma’s commitment to working alongside the skin cancer community to better support patients.

FROM ABBVIE

February 3, 2026—AbbVie Submits Regulatory Applications to FDA and EMA for Upadacitinib (RINVOQ®) in Adults and Adolescents With Vitiligo - Feb 3, 2026

  • Submissions are supported by data from the Phase 3 Viti-Up clinical studies demonstrating upadacitinib achieved the co-primary endpoints of at least a 50% improvement in total body re-pigmentation (T-VASI 50) and at least a 75% improvement in facial re-pigmentation (F-VASI 75) from baseline at week 48.1
  • If approved, upadacitinib will be the first systemic medication available for patients with vitiligo, addressing important treatment needs for those living with the chronic, unpredictable autoimmune disease.

FROM ORUKA THERAPEUTICS

January 12, 2026— Oruka Therapeutics Announces Positive Interim Phase 1 Data for ORKA-002 and Initiation of EVERLAST-B Trial of ORKA-001

  • ORKA-002 interim Phase 1 data demonstrates a half-life of 75-80 days supporting potential for twice-per-year dosing in psoriasis and quarterly dosing in hidradenitis suppurativa
  • Phase 2 studies for ORKA-002 expected to begin in 1H 2026 for psoriasis and 2H 2026 for hidradenitis suppurativa
  • First patients dosed in EVERLAST-B Phase 2b trial of ORKA-001 in December 2025 with data expected in 2027