The newest systemic treatment for plaque psoriasis is the tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor deucravacitinib (Sotyktu).

TYK2 inhibitors work by inhibiting TYK2, an intracellular signaling kinase that mediates signaling of IL-23, IL-12 and Type I IFN, which are naturally occurring cytokines involved in inflammatory and immune responses.

Other new systemic treatments for plaque psoriasis are the interleukin-23 antagonists risankizumab (Skyrizi), tildrakizumab (Ilumya), and guselkumab (Tremfya).

Interleukin-23 antagonists work by blocking interleukin-23 (IL-23), a pro-inflammatory cytokine thought to play a major role in chronic immune-mediated diseases, including plaque psoriasis.

Interleukin-23 antagonists are part of a wider group of drugs called biologics. Biologics are administered via subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion and are reserved for moderate to severe cases of psoriasis. Other biologic drugs include tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockers, interleukin 12 and 23 (IL-12/23) antagonists, and interleukin 17 (IL-17) antagonists.

Systemic therapies, including biologic treatments, are only used for psoriasis that has not responded to other treatments (topical treatments and phototherapy).

The newest topical treatments for plaque psoriasis are the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast (Zoryve) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulating agent tapinarof (Vtama).

New Drugs for Generalized Pustular Psoriasis

Spevigo (spesolimab-sbzo) is an interleukin-36 receptor antagonist approved in September 2022 specifically for the treatment of generalized pustular psoriasis.

For more information on other psoriasis drugs, including topical treatments, see Medications for Psoriasis

New Treatments for Plaque Psoriasis - Latest FDA Approvals