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The 252-participant ANTHEM-UC Phase 2b publication found all three icotrokinra doses superior to placebo for week-12 clinical response. Remission was 30% versus 11% at 400 mg. The 200 mg remission comparison did not meet significance, stopping formal downstream testing under the prespecified sequence. These results do not establish approval for ulcerative colitis.
Viking announced the SUNRISE Phase 3 program for oral VK2735, a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist. Two placebo-controlled, 68-week studies each target 560 adults, with and without type 2 diabetes. This is an adjacent oral peptide delivery program rather than a confirmed cyclic peptide platform, and the announcement provides a trial start rather than Phase 3 efficacy results.
Entera reported a post hoc analysis of its Phase 2 EB613 study and outlined a planned Phase 3 trial. Women with lower baseline bone density showed larger gains, but the relevant subgroups were small. EB613 is an oral PTH(1-34) delivery program, an adjacent noncyclic peptide approach; these exploratory findings do not establish fracture reduction.
Triastek and its Shanghai subsidiary entered a collaboration and license agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV to develop oral medicines using 3D printing and delivery technologies for peptides and other modalities. JJDC will also make an equity investment. Financial terms and named collaboration candidates were undisclosed, and the agreement does not establish clinical performance for T25.
Johnson & Johnson reported Week 112 results from ICONIC-LEAD in adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The company said skin clearance and patient-reported improvements remained sustained, with no new safety signals identified. The update adds longer-term evidence for an oral IL-23 receptor peptide, although company-reported follow-up does not eliminate ongoing safety monitoring needs.
Viking began an exploratory study evaluating oral and less frequent injectable VK2735 maintenance strategies after initial weekly injections. Approximately 195 adults are expected to participate, with maintenance evaluated through Week 33 and results anticipated in 2027. This adjacent oral peptide delivery study has not established successful weight maintenance; a later correction clarified the oral dosing schedule.
Cyprumed announced that MSD initiated a Phase 1 trial using its licensed oral tablet technology, triggering a milestone payment. The candidate and its structural class were undisclosed, so the program cannot be identified as a cyclic peptide. The earlier agreement’s potential $493 million comprises upfront and milestone payments, rather than cash already received. This is included as a delivery-platform reference.
Johnson & Johnson announced European Commission authorization of ICOTYDE on September 21; EMA records the authorization date as September 18. Eligible patients include adults and adolescents aged at least 12 years weighing at least 40 kg with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy. This regional authorization does not approve other inflammatory indications.
Orbis Medicines and Novo Nordisk signed a multi-target discovery and licensing agreement for orally bioavailable macrocycles in cardiometabolic disease. Orbis is eligible for up to $1.4 billion in upfront and future milestone payments, plus royalties, and Novo will make a strategic investment. Separate upfront and investment amounts were undisclosed; the headline value is not cash already paid.
Circle Pharma raised $92.5 million in Series E financing led by The Column Group, with investors including Eli Lilly. Proceeds prioritize CID-165, an oral macrocyclic cyclin D1 RxL inhibitor planned to enter clinical development in the first quarter of 2027, and support the broader pipeline. Reported CID-165 antitumor activity remains preclinical.
Alex Chen’s long-form report compares salt selection, solid-state evidence, formulations and oral absorption for enlicitide and icotrokinra. Start with a short overview, then explore the full bilingual report through its chapter directory, comparison tables and original references.
D&D Pharmatech and QIC announced selection for a Korean national R&D program targeting oral α4β7 therapeutics, with a July 2026–June 2028 period and KRW1.358 billion total budget. QIC designs candidates while D&D applies ORALINK and evaluates activity. QIC identifies the program as an oral cyclic peptide in lead optimization, rather than a clinically validated medicine.
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