Psoriasis: More Than Skin Deep

Veteran musical icon Art Garfunkel recently shared the story of his lifelong struggle with psoriasis for the first time. Throughout his career, he managed to conceal the condition using various treatments, including creams and UV light therapies, which provided only temporary relief. The persistent discomfort eventually led him to step back from performing during his legendary partnership with songwriter Paul Simon. Having found significant improvement through the use of Ilumya (tildrakizumab-asmn), a biologic treatment, Garfunkel has formed a new partnership, this time with Sun Pharma in the "I LUV YA for The Long Haul" campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the emotional impact of psoriasis and encourage others to seek effective treatments. 

Through other recent advancements in psoriasis treatments, the millions affected can also find new hope for treating this chronic autoimmune skin condition. From novel oral therapies to new biologics, the treatment landscape for psoriasis continues to evolve, providing patients with more effective and convenient options. Several promising developments have emerged, including the success of icotrokinra (JNJ-2113).

Icotrokinra (JNJ-2113)
 

One recent development in psoriasis treatment comes from Protagonist Therapeutics and its collaboration with Johnson & Johnson (J&J). Their investigational oral drug, icotrokinra, has demonstrated superior efficacy in treating plaque psoriasis compared to Bristol Myers Squibb’s Sotyktu (deucravacitinib). Clinical trial results showed statistically significant improvements in skin clearance and reduced inflammation.

This breakthrough has generated significant interest among investors and medical professionals. Following the announcement of the trial’s success, Protagonist Therapeutics’ stock soared by nearly 46 percent, highlighting the market’s enthusiasm for new treatments. If approved, icotrokinra could offer a highly effective and convenient alternative for psoriasis patients who prefer oral treatments over injectable biologics.

Spesolimab (Spevigo)
 

Another recent advancement in psoriasis treatment is spesolimab (Spevigo), an interleukin-36 receptor antagonist first approved by the FDA in September 2022 for generalized pustular psoriasis flares in adults. More recently, manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim presented ​new analyses from the EFFISAYIL 2 trial at the American Academy of Dermatology 2025 meeting, evaluating the long-term impact of Spevigo on patient-reported outcomes in individuals with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), a rare and severe form of psoriasis characterized by widespread pustules, systemic inflammation, and potentially life-threatening complications. The study observed that mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores improved from 11.14 at baseline, indicating a "very large effect on patient's life," to 4.57 at week 48, corresponding to a "small effect." Notable improvements in mean Psoriasis Symptom Scale (PSS), Pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and DLQI scores were evident by week four. These findings suggest that spesolimab may significantly enhance the quality of life for GPP patients, offering valuable insights for healthcare professionals in selecting appropriate treatment regimens.

The future of psoriasis treatment
 

Speaking to the US-based National Psoriasis Foundation, John Barbieri, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, said, “In psoriasis, the immune system, our defense against viruses and bacteria, is not quite doing its job. It's going to cause problems that you see in the skin or the joints as psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, but there's systemic inflammation. There are other issues. So it is important to try to adequately, I think, treat disease not just because it’s bothersome, or improves quality of life, but because it may also help address some of the systemic inflammation aspects of things. So we really do want to be aiming for true clearance and good control of things. Fortunately, now we have such incredible treatments, we’re often able to achieve that. So we should hold ourselves to a high bar in terms of our treatment expectations and aim for those.”

These advancements in psoriasis therapies offer a higher bar and a promising future for patients seeking effective and convenient treatment options, reflecting the growing diversity of therapeutic approaches available. Additionally, ongoing research into established treatments, such as Bimzelx (bimekizumab) and Tremfya (guselkumab) continues to expand the possibilities for patients who require long-term management.

As more innovative therapies enter the market, the outlook for individuals living with psoriasis continues to improve. With increased access to targeted treatments that address different aspects of the disease, patients have more opportunities to achieve better skin health and an improved quality of life. Patients can now look to the future with bright eyes.