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Johnson & Johnson reported that 58% of patients receiving icotrokinra 200 mg achieved ACR20 at Week 16 in ICONIC-PsA 1, versus 41% with placebo. The oral IL-23 receptor peptide also showed skin responses. The company reported no new safety signals through Week 24; active psoriatic arthritis remains an investigational indication.
Entera reported $265.9 million in cash and cash equivalents at September 30, plus $6.5 million in restricted cash. Its November 6 update targets first site activation for an approximately 900-patient EB613 osteoporosis Phase 3 trial in late 2026. EB613 is an oral PTH(1-34) program, included here as an adjacent oral-peptide delivery development, not a cyclic-peptide candidate.
Johnson & Johnson reported that ICONIC-ASCEND met its Week 16 co-primary endpoints: PASI 90 responses were 55.2% with icotrokinra versus 3.6% with placebo, and IGA 0/1 responses were 70.4% versus 9.5%. At Week 28, the oral peptide met noninferiority criteria versus ustekinumab across multiplicity-controlled key secondary skin-clearance endpoints.
Ahead of the AHA meeting, an original report reviewed enlicitide analyses across PREVENT cardiovascular risk groups and an open-label extension. LDL cholesterol reductions were broadly consistent across risk categories and persisted through Week 104. The extension selected participants who had tolerated and adhered to treatment and lacked a control group, limiting generalization of its long-term findings.
Aurinia reported LUPKYNIS net product sales of $232.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, up 18%, including $79.4 million in the third quarter, up 12%. Total company revenue also includes licensing, collaboration, and royalty income. These are commercialization results for an approved oral cyclic peptide, rather than a new indication approval or clinical endpoint readout.
A new review connects peptide structure, formulation, screening, and pharmacokinetic testing in an evidence-based framework for oral drug discovery. It distinguishes architecture-led libraries, oral optimization of existing hits, and hybrid approaches. The scope includes cyclic and noncyclic peptides; the proposed framework organizes development evidence rather than demonstrating a new therapy or clinical benefit.
An npj Drug Discovery review examines how generative models represent constrained peptide chemistry, topology, conformational ensembles, and developability. It separates information explicitly generated by a model from properties inferred later, and predictions from prospective experiments. The authors identify gaps in chemical coverage and uncertainty calibration, including limitations relevant to orally absorbed cyclic peptides.
Processa announced a research collaboration and exclusive option agreement with Generian Pharmaceuticals to advance an oral macrocyclic peptide FcRn antagonist program. The companies aim to develop oral alternatives to injectable treatments for IgG-mediated autoimmune diseases. The announcement disclosed neither human data for the peptide program nor financial terms; a separate BTK program received Phase 2 IND clearance.
A Kidney Week report described pooled CORALreef trial findings for oral PCSK9 inhibitor enlicitide across kidney function groups. Participants with estimated glomerular filtration rates below 60 had a 65.9% placebo-adjusted LDL cholesterol reduction at Week 24. This subgroup analysis addresses lipid lowering; it does not establish fewer cardiovascular events, which require dedicated outcomes evidence.
Gilead agreed to acquire worldwide rights to PepStar’s oral IL-23R inhibitor program, including HCXT-2001, for $1.275 billion cash payable at closing. HCXT-2001 is a Phase 1 oral macrocyclic peptide with an extended half-life. Closing was expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to conditions; the candidate’s safety and efficacy remain unestablished.
Ascletis reported that ASC36o, an oral amylin receptor agonist tablet, had an approximately seven-day half-life and 6%–8% oral bioavailability in nonhuman primates. The company said a US Phase 1 study was underway, with human PK results expected by year-end 2026. The quantitative findings are preclinical and do not yet establish once-weekly oral dosing in humans.
Researchers developed HighPlay3 to balance cyclic peptide target binding and membrane permeability through iterative structural assessment and prediction. Experimental screening produced micromolar binders against MDM2 and GABARAP. Among tested active GABARAP candidates, GAB-D4 showed the highest Caco-2 apparent permeability with no apparent net efflux. These are early laboratory results, not demonstrated human oral bioavailability.
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