Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Protagonist Therapeutics (PTGX) said Friday their jointly developed drug icotrokinra largely met its primary endpoint of significant skin clearance in a phase 3 study of adults and adolescents with moderate or greater plaque psoriasis on high-impact skin areas.

The 16-week study showed 57% of patients treated with icotrokinra showed clear or almost clear skin compared with 6% for those receiving a placebo, the companies said.

The drug also showed a "favorable" safety profile comparable to the placebo, the companies said.

Protagonist said it expects to submit a new drug application for icotrokinra with the US Food and Drug Administration this year.