A study comparing JNJ-77242113 and ustekinumab in adult participants with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN56487896 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN56487896 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | 2024-515706-77 |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 1011110 |
| Protocol serial number | 7724213PSO3006, CPMS 64768 |
| Sponsor | Janssen-Cilag International NV |
| Funder | Janssen Research and Development |
- Submission date
- 08/02/2025
- Registration date
- 26/03/2025
- Last edited
- 04/06/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Plaque psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly, and sometimes painful and itchy patches on the skin. Targeting interleukin-23 (IL-23) (a specific type of protein involved in inflammation) to prevent it from binding to its receptor (the specific protein it binds to) is a highly validated approach for treating moderate to severe psoriasis. The study drug, JNJ-77242113, is a medicine that blocks the IL-23 receptor by binding to it. By blocking the effects of IL-23, inflammation is reduced, thus preventing disease from getting worse. The purpose of this study is to check how well JNJ-77242113 works compared to placebo (does not contain any active medication) in participants with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Who can participate?
Participants aged 12 years old and over with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
What does the study involve?
Participants enrolled on 2 cohorts:
Cohort A: Never received systemic therapy or have received systemic therapy but have discontinued for reasons other than those mentioned in Cohort B.
Cohort B: Received systemic therapy but responded poorly, have not tolerated or have been advised not to take.
Study includes:
Screening Period (Up to 5 Weeks)
Treatment Period: Participants to be randomly assigned into arms:
JNJ-77242113:
• JNJ-77242113 from Week 0 to Week 104
• Matching placebo for ustekinumab at Weeks 0,4 and 16
Placebo:
• Matching placebo for JNJ-77242113 from Week 0 to Week 16
• Matching placebo for ustekinumab at Weeks 0, 4 and 16
• JNJ-77242113 from Week 16 to Week 104
Ustekinumab:
• Ustekinumab at Weeks 0, 4 and 16
• Matching placebo for JNJ-77242113 from Week 0 to Week 28
• JNJ-77242113 from Week 28 to Week 104.
Safety follow-up Period: Up to 4 weeks after treatment completion/discontinuation
Safety assessments include monitoring of adverse events, laboratory tests, electrocardiograms, physical examinations, vital signs, and patient-reported health questionnaires. All side effects will be recorded till the study ends (up to approximately Week 113).
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There is no established benefit to participants of this study. Based on scientific theory, taking JNJ-77242113 may improve plaque psoriasis. However, this cannot be guaranteed because JNJ-77242113 is still under investigation as a treatment, and it is not known whether JNJ-77242113 will work.
Participants may experience some benefit from participation in the study that is not due to receiving study drug, but due to regular visits and assessments, monitoring overall health. Participation may help other people with plaque psoriasis in the future.
Participants may have side effects from the drugs or procedures used in this study that may be mild to severe and even life-threatening, and they can vary from person to person. The possible side effects for JNJ-77242113 include hypersensitivity reactions (exaggerated response from immune system), antidrug antibody (ADA) production (antibodies developed against drugs reducing their therapeutic efficacy), and infections. The possible side effects for ustekinumab include hypersensitivity, infections, malignancies, cardiovascular events, and advice to avoid the use of live vaccines and exercise caution with concomitant immunosuppressants during treatment. There are other, less frequent risks associated with ustekinumab. The participant information sheet and informed consent form, which will be signed by every participant agreeing to participate in the study, includes a detailed section outlining the known risks to participating in the study.
Not all possible side effects and risks related to JNJ-77242113 are known at this moment. During the study, the sponsor may learn new information about JNJ-77242113. The study doctor will tell participants as soon as possible about any new information that might make them change their mind about being in the study, such as new risks.
To minimise the risk associated with taking part in the study, participants are frequently reviewed for any side effects and other medical events. Participants are educated to report any such events to their study doctor who will provide appropriate medical care. Any serious side effects that are reported to the sponsor are thoroughly reviewed by a specialist drug safety team.
There are no costs to participants to be in the study. The sponsor will pay for the study drug and tests that are part of the study. The participant will receive reasonable reimbursement for study-related costs (e.g., travel/parking costs).
Where is the study run from?
Janssen-Cilag International N.V.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2025 to December 2027
Who is funding the study?
Janssen Research and Development
Who is the main contact?
Medical Information and Product Information Enquiry, medinfo@its.jnj.com
Contact information
Scientific
50-100 Holmers Farm Way
High Wycombe
HP124DP
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)800 731 8450 / 10494 567 444 |
|---|---|
| medinfo@its.jnj.com |
Principal investigator
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized placebo- and active-controlled double-blind parallel-group study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A phase III multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and ustekinumab active comparator-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JNJ-77242113 for the treatment of participants with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis |
| Study acronym | Iconic Ascend |
| Study objectives | To evaluate the efficacy of JNJ-77242113 compared with placebo in participants with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. The key secondary objectives of the trials are: To further evaluate the efficacy of JNJ-77242113 compared with placebo in participants with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. To evaluate the efficacy of JNJ-77242113 compared with ustekinumab in participants with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. To evaluate the effect of JNJ-77242113 treatment on patient-reported psoriasis symptom and itch severity compared with placebo in participants with moderate to severe psoriasis. Due to character limitation to see a full list of secondary objectives, please see the protocol. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 13/03/2025, Tyne and Wear South Rec (NHSBT, Newcastle Blood Donor Centre, Holland Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4NQ, United Kingdom; +44 (0)2071048120; tyneandwearsouth.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 25/NE/0041 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Plaque psoriasis |
| Intervention | Experimental: Arm 1: JNJ 77242113 Participants will receive JNJ-77242113 once daily from Week 0 through Week 104. All participant will receive ustekinumab matching placebo at Week 0, 4 and 16 to maintain the blind. Drug: JNJ-77242113 will be administered orally. Drug: Matching Placebo to Ustekinumab Matching placebo will be administered subcutaneously. Placebo Comparator: Arm 2: Placebo Participants will receive matching placebo for JNJ-77242113 from Week 0 through Week 16, matching placebo for ustekinumab at Week 0, 4 and 16 and JNJ-77242113 from Week 16 through Week 104. Drug: JNJ-77242113 will be administered orally. Drug: Matching Placebo to JNJ-77242113 Matching placebo will be administered orally. Drug: Matching Placebo to Ustekinumab Matching placebo will be administered subcutaneously. Active Comparator: Arm 3: Ustekinumab Participants will receive Ustekinumab at Week 0, Week 4, and Week 16 followed by JNJ-77242113 once daily from Week 28 through Week 104. Participants will receive both Ustekinumab and placebo for JNJ-77242113 to maintain the blind through Week 28. Drug: JNJ-77242113 will be administered orally. Drug: Matching Placebo to JNJ-77242113 Matching placebo will be administered orally. Drug: Ustekinumab Ustekinumab will be administered subcutaneously. Other Names: • STELARA • CNTO 1275 |
| Intervention type | Drug |
| Phase | Phase III |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | JNJ-77242113 [JNJ-77242113-AAC] , Stelara 90mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe [Ustekinumab] |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. JNJ-77242113 and Placebo Group: Percentage of Participants with Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) Score of 0 or 1 and Greater than or Equal to (>=) 2 Grade Improvement from Baseline at Week 16 IGA score is given based on the investigator’s assessment of the participant’s plaque psoriasis at a given time point. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. JNJ-77242113 and Placebo Group: Percentage of Participants Achieving PASI 75 Response at Week 16 PASI is a system used for assessing and grading the severity of psoriatic lesions and their response to therapy. In this system, the body is divided into 4 regions: the head, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities. Each of these areas is assessed and scored separately for erythema, induration, and scaling, which are each rated on a scale of 0 (none) to 4 (severe) and extent of involvement on a scale of 0 (indicates no involvement) to 6 (90% to 100% involvement). The PASI produces a numeric score that can range from 0 to 72. A higher score indicates more severe disease. A PASI 75 response represents participants achieving at least a 75 percent improvement from baseline in the PASI score. |
| Completion date | 29/12/2027 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 675 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 12 years of age or older at the screening visit. Note for the UK we will only be accepting participants aged 18 and older and will not be including adolescents in the trial 2. Diagnosis of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, with or without PsA, for at least 26 weeks before the first administration of study intervention 3. Total body surface area (BSA) greater than or equal to (>=)10 percent (%) at screening and baseline 4. Total psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) >=12 at screening and baseline 5. Total investigator global assessment (IGA) >=3 at screening and baseline 6. Candidate for phototherapy or systemic treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Nonplaque form of psoriasis (for example [e.g.], erythrodermic, guttate, or pustular) 2. Current drug-induced psoriasis (e.g., a new onset of psoriasis or an exacerbation of psoriasis from beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or lithium) 3. Known allergies, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to JNJ-77242113, ustekinumab, or its excipients 4. Major surgical procedure within 8 weeks before screening, or will not have fully recovered from surgical procedure, or has a surgical procedure planned during the time the participant is expected to participate in the study 5. Transplanted organ (with exception of a corneal transplant greater than [>] 12 weeks before the first administration of study intervention) |
| Date of first enrolment | 15/04/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 05/11/2025 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
- Argentina
- Australia
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Germany
- Hungary
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- United States of America
Study participating centres
Wakefield
WF1 4DG
United Kingdom
Dudley
DY1 2HQ
United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Site
King's Lynn
PE30 4ET
United Kingdom
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom
Southampton
SO16 6YD
United Kingdom
London
SE1 9RT
United Kingdom
Research And Innovation Level 2
North Block
Reading
RG1 5AN
United Kingdom
Harrow
HA1 3UJ
United Kingdom
Pensnett Road
Dudley
DY1 2HQ
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan | The data sharing policy of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson is available at https://www.janssen.com/clinicaltrials/ transparency. As noted on this site, requests for access to the study data can be submitted through Yale Open Data Access (YODA) Project site at https://yoda.yale.edu/ |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
04/06/2025: The recruitment start date was changed from 09/05/2025 to 15/04/2025.
01/04/2025: Internal review.
14/03/2025: ISRCTN received notification of combined HRA/MHRA approval for this trial on 14/03/2025.
10/02/2025: Study's existence confirmed by Health Research Authority (HRA) (UK)