Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. announced two additional Phase 3 studies, ICONIC-ADVANCE 1 and ICONIC-ADVANCE 2, evaluating JNJ-2113 (formerly PN-235) in head-to-head comparisons against deucravacitinib, an oral TYK2 inhibitor, in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Details regarding ADVANCE 1 are available on clinicaltrials.gov. The ICONIC program now includes four Phase 3 studies: ADVANCE 1, ADVANCE 2 and as previously announced, LEAD and TOTAL.

Protagonist is eligible to receive a $115 million milestone payment upon achieving the co-primary endpoints in any one of the studies. ICONIC-ADVANCE 1 is a Phase 3 trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of JNJ-2113 compared to both placebo and deucravacitinib. The trial's co-primary endpoints are PASI-90 and IGA score of 0 or 1. The trial, which is expected to begin enrolling patients in the first quarter of 2024, is led by the Company's collaboration partner, Janssen Biotech, Inc. ICONIC-ADVANCE 2, a similarly designed study, is expected to start enrolling patients later in 2024.