The class of interleukin-23 (IL-23) inhibitors has fundamentally reshaped the treatment paradigm for psoriasis, offering patients unprecedented levels of skin clearance. The latest addition to this highly effective drug class is Picankibart (development code: IBI-112, brand name PECONDLE®).

Developed independently by Innovent Biologics, Picankibart made history in November 2025 as the first China-developed anti-IL-23p19 antibody to receive approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). With its high selectivity and impressive clinical data, Picankibart is emerging as a best-in-class contender, particularly noted for its deep therapeutic response and convenient dosing schedule.

Here is everything researchers need to know about the structural profile, mechanism of action (MoA), manufacturer details, and latest clinical data for Picankibart.

Picankibart is a novel biologic therapy engineered to precisely target a central pathogenic driver in autoimmune inflammation.

• The Molecule: Picankibart is a recombinant, humanized immunoglobulin G1 kappa (IgG1κ) monoclonal antibody.

• The Target: It is designed with high specificity to bind to the p19 subunit of human interleukin-23 (IL-23).

• Developer: The drug was discovered and developed entirely in-house by Innovent Biologics, a leading biopharmaceutical company based in China.

• Administration: It is formulated as a subcutaneous injection. A key differentiator is its favorable dosing regimen, which allows for quarterly administration (every 12 weeks) during the maintenance phase, translating to as few as 5-6 injections per year for patients.

The efficacy of Picankibart is rooted in its ability to disrupt the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory axis, a well-validated pathway in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders.

1. The Target: IL-23 is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of a unique p19 subunit and a p40 subunit (which it shares with IL-12). The p19 subunit is considered the more specific target for driving psoriatic inflammation without affecting the Th1 response mediated by IL-12.

2. Specific Inhibition: Picankibart binds with high affinity specifically to the p19 subunit of extracellular IL-23.

3. Blocking Signaling: This binding event sterically hinders IL-23 from interacting with its cognate receptor complex (IL-23R and IL-12Rβ1) on the surface of T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and other innate immune cells.

4. Downstream Effect: By blocking IL-23 signaling, Picankibart prevents the survival, expansion, and activation of pathogenic Th17 cells. This leads to a significant reduction in the downstream production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22, which are directly responsible for keratinocyte hyperproliferation and the formation of psoriatic plaques.

The regulatory approval of Picankibart was based primarily on the positive results from the Phase 3 CLEAR-1 study (NCT05645627). This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of Picankibart in Chinese adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

The trial results demonstrated rapid and profound skin clearance, meeting all primary and key secondary endpoints with high statistical significance:

Long-Term Maintenance:

Beyond the 16-week induction period, data showed that high rates of skin clearance (PASI 90 and sPGA 0/1) were maintained through Week 52 with the convenient every-12-week dosing regimen.

Picankibart exhibited a favorable safety profile, consistent with other approved anti-IL-23 antibodies. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were upper respiratory tract infections. No new safety signals were identified.

Following its NMPA approval in late 2025 for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, Innovent is actively expanding the clinical development program for Picankibart.

• Biologic Switching: A head-to-head Phase 3 trial is currently underway to evaluate the efficacy of switching to Picankibart in patients who have had an inadequate response to anti-IL-17 therapies, addressing a significant unmet clinical need.

• New Indications: Beyond psoriasis, Picankibart is being investigated for other IL-23-mediated inflammatory diseases. A Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in active ulcerative colitis has already met its primary endpoint, triggering further late-stage clinical development in gastroenterology.

As the first homegrown IL-23p19 inhibitor from China to enter the market, Picankibart represents a major milestone in regional biopharmaceutical innovation and is poised to become a key therapeutic option in the dermatology and immunology space.

Are you investigating the IL-23/Th17 inflammatory axis? 

ichorbio offers a highly purified, research-grade picankibart biosimilar for your in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. Manufactured to the highest standards for low endotoxin and high purity, our biosimilar provides the exact structural fidelity you need to generate reproducible, publication-ready data.